we have a belly button!

parker lost his stump! so we are celebrating his 1 month mark with a real bath!

brady's second birthday party!

Pictures will come later, I used my mom's camera mostly, so gotta wait for her to share them my way.

Of course, Train theme! He said choo choo lots all day. It was great to have a special day just for Brady after losing so much attention when his brother came home. He did great and was a good boy all day!

family fun at B's expense

last night daddy stayed in from his shop, rare, I know! We were both in a kidding mood, that sort of evening. Afte dinner he placed his plate on the counter above the wide open dish washer and left the kitchen to do what men always seem to do after they eat. I thought, what the heck, put it in the dishwasher! So I took his plate and fork and put it next to him in the bathroom and told him to try it again. A few seconds later, a smily Brady comes out to me with the plate and fork and hands it to me! That turkey (dad). So I sent B back to him with a diaper, as in hint, hint, change it! Dad sends him back with a tub of Lysol wipes. So I send B back w/ Parkers diaper. Dad plays dirty and sent B back with the witch hazel wipes. Brady was loving this game and was laughing running between us deliverying different things to one another. I stuck curious george up b's shirt, and his p'js down his pants- that's when dad added the diaper to all that stuff in his clothes and sent him back to me. :)

Parker's hearing test

At the hospital, parker failed the hearing tests in both ears. So, we had a follow up appointment yesterday and he passed! We were not worried because he was getting startled from noises (brother, dog, chaos of the house in general).

The appointment was a breeze. I had to sit in a recliner and hold him and keep him calm. Since he had just been fed prior to the appt. he slept thru it, so I got to snooze thru it too! It was quite lenghty, but my sort of appointment! Anything that involves a nap, recliner, and cuddling with a cutie pie is a good thing.

breastfeeding parker

Parker is such a gentle latcher, he opens and closes his mouth waiting for the nipple- he looks like Pac-man so that is what I call him while we are feeding.

He has been having some gas issues I think. I've done some research, since I dont accept the thought that is what I eat. (do your research, that is rarely or if ever the issue) Problems rarely occur from foods like onions, garlic, or spicy stuff. If it is a food problem it is most often from dairy products. Anyway... I have been wondering about an oversupply of milk/ forceful letdown. Poor little pacman sounds like he is drowning gulping down milk. I leak like crazy. This is all the worst at night when he sleeps well and have lots of milk. I found this information from LaLeche League, imo the best place to go for breastfeeding advice. http://www.llli.org/FAQ/oversupply.html I have noticed that while side laying he nurses the best and is far less gassy, and the milk spills out the side of his mouth. Excellent excuse to side lay while nursing! ;) I'll report back in a week or so and see if we have some results and can decrease my milk supply.

we're getting it

Brady is adjusting, finally. I am getting my good little boy back! He has been so helpful lately! :) 3 weeks it seems. Still not perfect, but we're getting there. We seem to have fallen into a routine at home that is working too, so I have to say that we are all adjusting quite well. Parker esp. adjusted to life outside the womb very well.

weekend

we got our tree! Parker slept in the truck the whole time, and Brady ran thru the snow the whole time.

check out those curls! Brayden has great naturally curly hair.

I wonder...

While responding to an email to my FIL about PJ sizes, the thought just occured to me that maybe B isnt sleeping thru the night because he is hot? Before Parker we slept with the heat at about 68, daddy was a little chilled, but used an extra blanket and was fine. B and I were content, he never woke sweating and slept thru the night most nights. Since Parker came home Chris has wanted the heat at 70 since Parker is a cold little feller. Brady has been waking lots and often sweaty. Other times when he crawls into our bed, orI put him back in his bed he throws a fit if I try to cover him with a blanket. He will sometimes wake at night screaming, like a bad dream, yelling for Mom. I dont know about anyone else, but when I am too hot I dream more, and I dont sleep well. Maybe he is just too hot? I will mention this to Chris and see what we can do. I dont feel comfortable puting a space heater in Parkers room. Wouldnt Parker be fine at 68, we dress him warm. Until recently he wore a hat at night.....

prayer request

My heart is breaking for a little boy with cancer and his family. For what they have dealt with that no 2 year old should have to go thru, and for what comes next. Please pray for this mommy and daddy and thier son.

SNOW!

wow, we got lots of snow last night and blizzard warnings till tomorrow morning I think. We're talking about 8" and it is still coming down. It was so beautiful, being the first snowfall, everything was evenly covered and there were no tracks or snowhills in it. Now there is dog pee and snow hills. Still pretty, but that calmness this a.m. was awesome!

Brady was so excited about the snow! "What's that!?" running with his stool between windows. The little bugger ran outside while I was nursing parker! He ran around the side of that garage and made it at least 20 feet into the snow, he was laughing and screaming (delightful screams). Me, the bad mom, couldnt help but laugh with him when I scooped him up to haul him back inside. Thank goodness he already had his shoes on and a sweat shirt! Brady went to daycare today (family, in home daycare, not a center). I am sure they will go outside today, hope so anyway, he is so excited and if he stayed home w/ me he wouldnt get to go outside.

what a different maternity leave!

My leave has been nice and enjoyable! I am not an exhausted, anxious, and majorly depressed mommy this time around. :) I am trying to get closets in order, and house in order in general. Then I plan to do some fun stuff- sew and scrapbook! YAY! B is going to daycare a bit. We have to pay for it anyway so he is going. I'll keep him home a bit more later in my leave, I still require some rest and my tummy gets achey if I dont rest.

BTW- If my boss asks, I am still recovering, and it's most definately going to take a full 3 months to do so! :)

getting on the same page

life has been a bit chaotic in the last month. I think it started when Chris went hunting for a week when I was 38 wks, he disagrees. Funny thing is, here I am 2 weeks past surgery and I feel better physically then I did at 38-40 weeks.

So starting about then, I got pretty slack with Brady. I was too tired, and things just hurt. If he was doing something he shouldnt have done, I didnt bother with it unless it was something dangerous. (dad was barely around those 2 weeks to do anything too). I'd fall asleep in his bed, or he would fall asleep in mine. I'm telling you, I was worn down!

So Chris and I set the ground rules this weekend. Nothing new, but just that we gotta work on B's attitude and behavior for the sanity of the house. We did see some improvement over the weekend, there were some major tantrums too. but I think in a week or so he should be shaped up.

Parker's check-up

today we had Parker's 2-week checkup. (technically sunday he will be 2 weeks, but I think all doctors go on vacation at this time of the year.) He weighs 7lb 10.5 ounces, so that is an 8 ounce weight gain since leaving the hospital 9 days ago. :) and he is 21" long. Everything is checking out well. Scheduled a hearing test since he failed his at the hospital. We arent worried though, he gets startled from noises easily. But, might as well go thru with the hearing test anyway.

His skin is very... pealing... Not that it is dry- it is beautiful healthy skin underneath the layer of skin that is flaking away. Dr. said this is normal too, and once he looses this outside layer he should be fine. Interesting thing is that his face is perfect, and we have never oiled or lotioned his face- yet the rest of him is shedding. We have been using baby oil for a week, but are trying Eucerin(sp) per the dr.'s suggestion.

Got permission not to wake him at night for a feeding! I have had to do that just a couple times now, since he hadnt gained anything at the hospital. (if he slept over 5-6 hours I woke him to eat- so very strange after a kid like B!) Guess I havent really talked about Parker, have I? He is a sleeper! Sleeps all night. Down for the night around 7, wakes for 3-4 feedings most nights and up around 8. (B was up every 2 hours or more to eat for at least 8 weeks, never slept in his crib, cried lots, had to be held lots) Chris and I laugh that Parker has already slept more in his crib at 2wks old then B ever did! Parker is consoled by a paci (I was B's paci). Parker is a natural at nursing, I keep thinking that it would have been a shame for a nurser like him to be born to a non-nursing mom. He's such a pro we are already nursing hands free! So, such a different experience from the first time around.

Brady is adjusting slowly. Jealous. But we are working with him.

Well, the boys are calling me- we are having a family movie night. Night at the Museum 2, smithsonium.

Parkers LONG birthstory!

***edit to original post, forgot to leave out that during the c-section we discovered Parker was sunny side up, so that may have been why pushing was getting no where!*****

Parker’s Birth Story
(warning, I don’t leave out much!)

On Saturday November 21, opening day of rifle deer hunting season, I felt really off. Basically from my hips down I felt so weak and achy- sort of that flu like weak muscle feeling- but just my hips down. Chris was 1.5 hours away hunting, and all I could muster was diaper changes, food and the basics for 23 month old Brayden. After my nap (and Brady’s) at about 4pm I felt something odd and wondered if my water had broke. I investigated but couldn’t tell. So I laid back down a bit, then got back up and there was more of a gush of fluid and I knew my water had broke. Brady had just gotten up from his nap and he wanted to snuggle- but I was in freakout mode not sure what to do first. Of course, I called chris and said “I am not fooling, my water just broke”. He said he was on his way. I called a neighbor who came and got Brady right away, then I could think. My stuff was ready, Chris’s wasn’t, and Brady was mostly ready. Shortly my SIL and her husband were over and helping me function, in no time we were on our way to the hospital where Chris would meet us.

Once there around 6pm, they checked me in, hooked me up to monitors, and verified that my membranes had ruptured. While driving to the hospital some contractions had started. Around 7:30 pm my cervix was checked and was less then 1cm. Because I previously had a c-section and was planning to have a v-bac (vaginal birth after cesarean) they wanted me to progress as much as possible on my own without pitocin (which induces contractions). So, thru the night I walked, and walked, and walked. The nurses let me walk for 45 minutes, then hook back up to the moniters for 15-20 minutes, then walk again. Chris walked a couple rounds with me, but mostly slept.

At 4am, my cervix was checked again- just over 1cm. Pitocin was started, and around 8am regular 2-4 minute contractions were finally happening. (at no point did I ever have regular consistant intervals of contractions, there would be a few 2 minutes apart and then a break for 4 minutes, then a few 2 minutes apart).

Somewhere around noon I couldn’t think of anything but the pain. So we tried Nubane (sp). That worked for less then 30minutes. Did nothing for the pain, but I was able to concentrate on thinking about something other then the pain for that little bit of time. Shortly after that wore off I decided it was time to get checked and think about an epidural because I didn’t think I could handle the pain for much longer. Chris was getting frustrated because I would ask him to do something, like press on my hip- then yell for him to stop because it hurt.

1:45pm, epi was in place and I was 5-6cm’s! Yay for progress! Shortly after the epi, we had to stop the pitocin because my blood pressure dropped, and babies heart rate dropped. (this is where things halted with the birth of Brady, his heart rate never completely recovered so we couldn’t start the pitocin- so Chris and I were worried that there would be no chance for a v-bac) Both of us recovered quickly and pitocin was started again. During the entire, lengthy labor/delivery this was the only point that the babies heart rate dropped. Chris and I both napped in comfort for a few hours letting the contractions do their thing.

6pm- checked again- 10cm! fully dilated! Howver baby still needed to drop a bit more, since I was comfy and contractions were moving baby down (and baby doing perfect) we let the contractions drop the baby rather then pushing to drop the baby. Chris and I napped some more.

8pm- started pushing, baby had dropped. With each contraction baby would start dropping into the birth canal but then would go back up between contractions. We tried this bar thing that allowed me to pull myself forward- things looked better, but not great. After 2 hours the Dr. wanted us to call it. She said I was trying hard but she really didn’t think this was going to end in a v-bac. Prior to her coming in, the nurses and I wanted to try one more position. Since the epi had worn off already, so the Dr. agreed to 15 more minutes. So, this was me on my knees pushing- letting gravity help. Dr. was there, and let me push for 45 more minutes because it appeared I was making good progress. It was SO painful, different then the pain for the previous pushing, so I too thought there was progress. Finally there came a point were I knew it wasn’t going to happen. I was giving it 200%, and it just wasn’t happening. (plus there are extra risks involved with a v-bac) Sure, there were some tears because I was really hopeful to not have a c-sections, but I knew we tried hard. By this point the contractions were horrid, and I was angry at them because I didn’t need them anymore! I pushed thru them until the epi man returned (the contractions were manageable when pushing), and in seconds I was numb again.

In no time I was wheeled into the OR. An extra nurse was called in to help get baby out as he/she was so low from the pushing. My epi man was fabulous. I vomited once during the c-section and he doped me up, he even gave me something for the shakes. At 11:36 baby was out, and we found out that it is a BOY! Chris took him back to get cleaned up, he weighed 7lbs 2.5 ounces and was 18.25” long. A head full of black hair. I got to see him briefly before they took Chris and him back. We were so excited for another boy!

They went to the recovery room to take care of baby, and I should have returned in about 30 minutes from being stitched up. However, during the pushing I tore my cervix and uterus up to my previous c-section scar (just above the pubic bone). So, it’s a good thing I didn’t keep pushing. So, after the baby was out- the epi man gave me this fabulous drug that relaxed me and helped me sleep! I think it lasted for an hour or more- it was so nice to sleep thru all that stitching (2 hours before I returned to recovery room). Chris was worried about me taking so long, but soon found out the details. While they were stitching I started feeling things again, so they injected the epi w/ more numbing drugs. My Blood pressure started dropping again, but epi man was on top of things.

Finally back to recovery to see my boys! I am numb from my shoulders down! I manage to hold my son, but just a few seconds since I am so numb. Then because baby had been born about 3 hours ago they wanted me to nurse right away. OK…. Arms numb… boobs numb…. LOL. Chris and the nurse helped sit me up, one held baby, one held the boob. About this time I turn white and feel like I am going to pass out. Blood pressure dropped again. 30 minutes later I am no better, still white and feeling off- I don’t really remember much about this time besides trying to decide what to do. I wanted to nurse my baby and not give him formula, but agreed with Chris and nurse that it was taking too long to come out of this and un-numb. So Chris fed baby formula w/ a dropper.

Finally, somewhere around 4am, I was ready to nurse baby and really meet him.

We struggled with his name. If it was a girl, we knew she would be Delaney Lynn. We agreed on Parker quickly, but not a middle name. When he was a couple days old, we agreed on Chase because it means Huntsman.

Parker and I were both monitered closely in the hospital because my water had broke so long before baby had been born. At first ped’s thought he might have a bacterial infections because his white blood cells where high. It took 3 days to get results from his blood tests. In the meantime he was given antibiotics just in case he did have an infection.

As soon as we found out the results of his tests, negative, we went home! Finally Brady got to meet his little brother and see his mommy for the first time in 5 days. We went home the night before Thanksgiving (11/25). Brady had a hard time not seeing mom for so long, and because of H1N1 he couldn’t come to the hospital.

parker

i hope to get that birth story written brfore i forget! bottom pict is when b first met his little brother and got to see mommy for the first time in 5 days!

ignore previous post. wanted to move this info so I dont lose it!

BRADY'S MILESTONES FROM BABIESONLINE

My Milestones
Pulled Myself Up Alone - Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Crawled For The First Time - Saturday, July 19, 2008

Or Type Your Own - Thursday, May 01, 2008
At 4month appointment, Brayden weighed 16lbs, 14 oz and was 25" long. 95th percentile for both!

Rolled Front to Back - Thursday, April 17, 2008

Doctor Appointment - Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Braydens 2 month appointment, he weighs 13 lbs 1 oz, and is 22.5" long.

Discovered Hands - Sunday, February 17, 2008
This is so cute! Brayden just stares at his left first forever. Then he will open his fist, and his eyes will get really big! I dont quite think he has ficgured out that is what he likes to suck on though.

Lost umbilicord cord stump! Finally! - Thursday, January 24, 2008
and got his first real bath!

Baptism - Sunday, January 20, 2008

Came Home From Hospital - Tuesday, December 25, 2007
A very Merry Christmas for us!

I Was Born! - Friday, December 21, 2007
8:58 pm, 7lb 8 oz, 19" long. IT'S A BOY!

Baby dropped! - Monday, October 22, 2007
Woke up this morning with the rib pain gone, and feeling pressure in my hip region. Dr. confirmed that the baby did in fact drop.

Heard Heartbeat! - Wednesday, September 05, 2007
HB was approximately 140bpm.

Heard Heartbeat! - Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The HB was approximatly 132bpm. The nurse listened for a few minutes and it ranged from 120bpm to 170bpm as the baby rested and moved around. (she said this is completely normal!)

Saw the baby kick! - Monday, August 20, 2007

Heard Heartbeat! - Thursday, August 09, 2007
HB was 152 bpm at 22 weeks.

Daddy felt the baby move for the first time! - Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Ultrasound - Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The baby was VERY VERY busy weighing in at just 9 ounces! He/she measured 4 days earlier then the currant due date (but Dr. is keeping EDD as 12/14 for now). The beautiful heartbeat was 156 bpm.

Felt Baby Move For The Tirst Time - Sunday, July 08, 2007
I am about 17.5 weeks today.

Heard Heartbeat! - Friday, June 15, 2007
I am 14 weeks and the heartbeat was 156 beats/minute. Still wonderful to hear!

Heard Heartbeat! - Tuesday, May 15, 2007
I am about 10 weeks and heard the heartbeat at my first appointment, it was wonderful! Approx. 170bpm

Blood Test Confirmed Pregnancy - Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Positive Home Pregnancy Test - Wednesday, April 04, 2007
My Journal
Thursday, March 13, 2008
We are at the end of week 2 of Brayden going to daycare. He is doing really well it seems. He has fallen nicely into thier routine, and it has created a nice routine at home too. He is growing so fast! Hopefully this weekend we can have a photo shoot and post some more picts! We love all the smiles he has, and we "chat" with him often. Brayden is still sleeping the way he was in the post below. Makes mommy so happy.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Brayden had his 2 month check up today. He is doing great still! Everything looks and sounds good to the doctor. He weighs 13lbs, 1oz and is 22.5" long. 75 percentile for weight and 55th percentile for length. I had lots of questions, but was reassured that we are doing well! He has turned the corner on his eating and sleeping habits too. (mom is so happy!) Up until he was about 8 weeks he continued to eat every 2 hours, day and night. 5 nights ago he started sleeping for a 5-7 hour stretch, then up to eat, and a 2-4 hour stretch then up for the day smiling. During the day he has been feeding every 2-4 hours. He is such a smiling and happy baby! Dad and I are just delighted to see his smiles and hear his giggles each morning, such a wonderful thing to wake up to! I go back to work full time next week. We recently had a trial day at daycare while I went to work. The day went beautifully!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Brady is 4 weeks old tomorrow! Wow! He is growing so fast and changing quickly too. He is much more alert and loves looking around. He still hasnt lost his cord stump, so we are still screaming thru sponge baths. Daddy likes to say that Brady is holding onto his mommy in every way that he can. First be not wanting to leave the womb, and now by not losing his cord stump. We can't wait to give him a real bath! We are all adjusting, Brady to life in this world and mom and dad to life with Brady.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Had our first dr. appointment today- Brayden weighs 8lbs 12oz, and 21" long! He is very healthy, and the dr. said he is doing good on breastmilk because he has grown so much!
Monday, December 31, 2007
We're slowly adjusting to life with Brady. We came home from hospital on x-mas day (because he was delivered via c-section). He is so handsome! Mom and dad love him to peices. We are breast feeding very well. He cluster feeds, he nurses (which takes an hour right now!), the sleeps for about an hour, then nurses for an hour, sleeps for an hour.- this cycle continues for 4-6 feedings- then he will sleep for 3-5 hours, and the cycle starts over again! very hard on mommy, but we should get out of this pattern soon. He hates bath time, we are learning to be fast! He loves the changibg table and getting his diaper changed. He makes lots of fuuny faces and noises too.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
We are being induced tomorrow! YAY! BAby should be here tomorrow or saturday. Sounds like it can be a long process tomorrow. Go in, they use a drug to ripen the cervix, that takes a few hours. Then they will start pitocin to start contractions, and/or break my water. Dr. guessed baby is 8.5-9 lbs. We're interested to see what the baby is. Dr. made me guess first, and I too said 8.5-9lbs. He said the mom's are usually right. We're so excited! and ready to meet our son or daughter really soon!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Just had my 40 week appointment. Not much progress, the baby is being very patient and seems to like the home I have created. I could still going into labor at any moment, that's what I am hoping for. Our Dr. thinks the baby is over 8lbs. Induction is not an option yet- my cervix is not favorable, and because of that they won't consider induction till a week past my EDD. The days are really hard. My body hurts so much and the tylonol is no longer helping much. It hurts to lay down on my sides or even touch them, Dr. said that is because everything is so stretched. My last day at work is friday, my EDD.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
We are ready to meet our son or daughter! Any day now it could happen. Obviously, we are hoping for sooner rather then later. But we know the baby will come when he/she is ready. Everything at home is ready, and the bags are packed. I am finding that we are keeping the house tidier, and the laundry is constantly being done. Just so we dont have to worry about coming home to a messy house when baby does decide to come into the world. My dr. appointments are uneventful. BP great, weight gain great. Appears to be a very healthy pregnancy. I'm still uncomfortable, and the days are getting longer. Nights are difficult too, as I am not sleeping much at all.
Monday, November 05, 2007
The last 2 weekends were our baby showers. They were both so wonderful and it seemed like everyone had a good time. This baby has so much stuff now, and I cant believe how different our house is going to be! Thank you everyone for all the fabulous gifts! We are greatful to have such wonderful family and friends. I love that I got to see some people that I dont get to see very often anymore. Our sisters and moms did a fabulous job planning the showers. Chris is bow hunting in Southern Ill. this week. I think he is a little worried about me because he is calling me so much. I am happy to see a concerned daddy. My mom spent the weekend with me, and we got the house even more ready for baby. My sister will be spending this weekend with me and we will do some shopping. Sorry mom, you got put to work and Emily gets to do the shopping! Just how it worked out!
Monday, October 15, 2007
We had our ultra sound today to see the size of the baby. Baby measured 1 week big. So the estimated due date will stay the same. At the Dr. appointment I was still measuring about 3 weeks big... so now we know what is exactly going on in there! It sounds like the Dr. will just keep an eye on my measurements and we may induce early if the baby stays on the big side. We got some really cute 3D/4D images of our chubby cheeked baby. I hope to scan them soon so all can view. Daddy and I are arguing over who's nose the baby has.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
I had another Dr. appointment today. Now I start going every 2 weeks. I am measuring 3 weeks ahead. Previously I had been measuring 1-1.5 weeks ahead. So my Dr. set up an ultra sound at my next appointment to see if there is a big baby in there, or what exactly is going on.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Time is flying. Less then 3 months until the baby will be in our arms. Chris is working hard on the new office/craft room. We both agreed that the nursery would be painted and the crib set up by the end of October. Before opening weekend of rifle deer hunting we plan to have the clothes washed, diapers ready and bottles washed and ready too. Oh, the bags packed too! I think the next 2 months will fly. I am starting to get achey more often. I am out of my nesting stage too. I have had a.m. nausea for over a week now, and praying morning sickness does not return. The kicks are getting so strong and waking me at night too. Baby is a little confused on night at day. We have some names! The girl names were easy. We fell in love with one long time ago. We have a couple back-up names too. As for boy names, we finally have one we love. Hope to have at least one more before we head to the hospital.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Daddy got his first good kick! I think it startled him it was so strong. Go baby! Go baby! We were watching TV one evening last week, and Chris rested his arm on my belly and out of the blue the baby gave him a good kick. He was all smiles and thought that was pretty neat. Over the weekend daddy figured out how to get the baby to kick him more he just has to rub my belly really fast for a few seconds and it makes the baby go crazy kicking him. Daddy thought that was a blast, but mommy did not like that when he did it at her bedtime and the baby kicked her for 30 minutes!
Monday, August 20, 2007
I saw the baby kick! The kicks were strong, so I decided to watch to see if I could see them; sure enough! It was kind of weird actually, but neat. The baby was doing arobics for about 30 minutes tonight, so I just sat on the couch and enjoyed feeling the movements and watching them pop my belly up. Chris hasnt felt the baby move too much. As soon as he comes by and puts his hand on my belly the baby stops moving. Must be relaxed from dads hands! Chris said he is excited to feel his first good kick.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
I had another appointment today with my Doctor. The baby was yet again active, and the heartrate was 152bpm. Weight gain is still right where I should be (even though it frightens me to watch those numbers climb on the scale!). We are still measuring 1 week early (consistant with the U/S 4 weeks ago), but due date remains the same. Between the u/s and measurement I am 23 weeks- but Dr. is sticking with 22 weeks. I am having lots of braxton hicks contractions lately, and the Dr. said because of my physical job outdoors that I really need to drink more water. I am drinking a ton already, but I will up it! Also I need to empty my bladder before it is full, because that can irritate the uterus and cause contractions. Gosh, I already go to the bathroom a ton.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Surprises are in store! Of course you all know that we are not finding out the sex of the baby before the baby arrives- so we all have that surprise! The other surprise will be the babies name. Chris and I decided not to share the names we have picked with our family and friends until the baby is here. We do intend to go into delivery with at least 2 girl names and 2 boys names ready.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Chris felt the baby more for the first time tonight! I drank a glass of Orange Juice, which always makes the baby move around. He patiently waited with his hands on my belly, and in just a few minutes later he felt it! He said it felt like a ripple, maybe the baby rolling over. Two days from today is our 4th anniversary! Wow, 4 years already~ seems like yesterday.... Chris has been busy working on the house. We have 3 bedrooms, currently one is our bedroom, one a spare bedroom, and the other an office. We are building an office/craft room in the basement so the nursery will be in the old office on the main level. I am excited for both rooms to be done, and lucky to have such a handy husband!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
I have come to a realization that what is ~normal~ or what I perceive as ~normal~ will never be ~normal~ again. Abnormal is my new normal. Pre-pregnancy normal was, feeling rested and 100% good. And that was the vast majority of my days. This is something I have not experienced since easter! (and if I was tired or not feeling 100% pre-pg, I would drink a pot of coffee and take a concoction of meds in my cabinet and go on with my day)As this pregnancy has progressed, each day has been a new day with new feelings and emotions. First trimester was days on end of feeling not so great, and I longed for just one day of feeling ~normal~. I was exhausted! And longed to feel not tired again. These days I have my energy back, but there is just no such thing as ~normal~ anymore. I am always feeling a bit different... I have not slept a whole night thru in months! Something always aches too. Yet, I am doing just fine and smiling thru my day (most days anyway!). When this baby does arrive, I definatly dont think my ~normal~ will return! So feeling normal and having an ab-normal day is my new normal, and I am ok with that. (BTW- we are 20 weeks this week! HALFWAY point! woohoo!)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
We had our ultra sound today. Chris was right there by my side for the whole thing. We were both beaming the whole time. The baby was very active (thanks to the sugar mommy ate before the ultra sound maybe?) doing flips, flops, kicks, and punches. The baby measured 4 days bigger (EDD 12/11) however the Dr. is leaving our EDD as 12/14 for now. The baby weighs just 9 ounces today, so he/she has lots of growing to do in the next few months! The heart was beating perfectly, and all the organs looked great. The placenta is where it should be, baby is head down, and the fluid sac is perfect as well. Chris thinks he saw a boy body part, but I dont think he knew what he was looking at. So we gotta wait and see! After our U/S we saw the doctor. Chris and I heard the heartbeat- 156 bpm. She had a hard time keeping the heartbeat under the dopler because the baby was so busy. I am enjoying the pregnancy right now. Morning sickness disapeared at 16 weeks, and most days I have a good amount of energy.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
I felt baby move for the first time! I wasnt sure at first, but after feeling it again a couple more times for the next few days I am sure now. The best way to describe it was a flutter. I cant wait to feel it more!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Had my 2nd doctor's appointment today. Heard the hb again, that was approximately 156 beats/minute- nice and strong. Set up appointment for ultra sound, July 11. Chris will come with too! Cant wait for him to hear the hb!
Monday, June 11, 2007
We are now into 2nd trimester! Woohoo! I still have the morning sickness gripes, I am beyond ready to be done with that! My next Dr. appointment is friday, cant wait to hear the heartbeat again. Chris's little sister got married this last weekend, we were both fortunate to be in the bridal party; however the long weekend wore me out! Up until now Chris has said he has wanted a boy, now he says he wants a girl. I cant decide if I want a boy or a girl. We already love our baby, we will be happy with a boy or a girl!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
These days I am feeling so much better. Starting about a week ago the morning sickness started to ease- but I thought for sure it would return. However! Each day I am feeling better. My energy is also returning. Prior to becoming pg I thought "if I am tired, I will just sleep more and go to bed early". That doesnt work. Early pregnancy take so much out of your body- pure exhaustion! About 3 more weeks until our next appointment, I cant wait to hear that beautiful heartbeat again! Just 2 more weeks till 2nd trimester starts, time is flying.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
I had my first doctors appointment today. It was very long. Lots of questions, and blood/urine samples. She also listened for the heartbeat and I was fully prepared to hear nothing. I am around 10 weeks, she said 50% of the time they dont hear it at 10 weeks. As soon as she put the dopler to my belly we heard it! It was heaven. Kind of makes all this crappy morning sickness worth it. The hb was about 170 bpm, which is she said is very strong and sounded great. My m/s seems to be easing up a bit too. :-) I dont feel so awful ALL the time, just once in awhile.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Calling it "Morning" Sickness is an understatement. Did a man come up with that? It started around week 5, and has gradually gotten worse. Currently I am just shy of 8 weeks and have nausea pretty much 24/7 (some smells, sites, and even thoughts make me gag). I am hoping this is the worst, but so far I am getting worse each day rather then better. I cant wait to start feeling better. I have not gained a pound yet (or lost either!). Most food is repulsive, I eat because I have to. And actually eating light every couple hours helps ease the queeze. Chris is great. He is preparing all our dinners. I need my protien, but cant stand the site of it raw. He has really picked up all my slack here at home too. I am incredibly tired, and require a ton of sleep. Working 60 hours a week is taking its toll on me too. And on a postive note- I have my glow! Supposedly by now my body has increased blood supply by 50%.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
I cant deny it any longer. Morning sickness started about 3 days ago. I feel queezy all the time, esp. when I wake up. So I put some crackers by my bed and I eat them before I get up. I am trying to keep my tummy full, because shortly after I feel hungry I feel the worst. I can deal with feeling queezy, but feeling like I could vomit all day long really isnt fun.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I have the scent of a dog! It is driving me crazy. Everything smells so strong. Chris thinks it is comical that I am always saying "that stinks!". Unfortunatly I am noticing the bad smells more then the good smells.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Wow, we are so excited! We are starting to spread the news. Originally we agreed to wait to tell everyone for a little while, Chris got a little excited and started sharing at work and before he knew it pretty much everyone knew. So, we are telling everyone now! We plan to tell my family easter sunday when they are all together for breakfast. We will probably tell Chris's family sooner as they wont be together easter sunday. It is so exciting sharing our news and seeing the big smiles we are receiving. I Love that Chris is so excited and ready for this too. I knew he was, but this really confirms it all. By the way, please sign our guestbook!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
After 7 months of TTC, we did it! We are expecting #1. I sort of had a suspision that I was pregnant before testing, but when I saw a second faint pink line on the test I was still a bit doubtful. So, at 5 in the morning, I went to the store and bought more tests. I also got a small easter basket and bib that says "our little tiger" and has a tiger on it. This test was digital, and said PREGNANT. I had no doubt any more.I placed the digital test and the bib in the basket. Put it in Chris's bathroom and waited for him to wake up. For those that know Chris, I would not dare pounce on him screaming "I'm Pregnant!" or I would be reporting a black eye too. He isnt a morning person. So, 5 minutes before he walked out the door he woke and saw it. He was so happy.

so, exactly 24 hours I hoped my water would break- it really did. 4pm saturday. Parker Chase was born Sunday 11:36pm. The LONG birth story will be written and posted soon.

another hunting weekend

Do you know what I would give to have my water break at about 3 or 4pm today? Wisconsin Rifle season starts tomorrow morning. The grocery store was a zoo with men and carts full of liqour and junk food- the parking lot was even scarier because they suck at parking. Chris is leaving this evening to go about 1.25 hours away hunting.

So.. here's the distance... 1.25 hours away from house- probably 1.25 hours from hospital- not driving directly past the house- if he drove home first and got me, it is about another hour to the hospital. So, I am planning to line up some help for time while he is gone, just incase I go into labor.... someone for B and someone for me!

This best get that hunting out of his system for the season. Someone needs to wash the floor and vaccum the carpets! I can do about everything else, but vacuuming pulls at my round ligiments so much, and the washing the floors.... moving stuff.... ugh... havent dont that in months!

sneak peak at baby!

It was hard to get much for images of baby because things are snug in there- but I am happy with this one! sorry for the poor quality, I took a picture of the picture. It hard to see the lovely full lips in this image too, but you can see the cheeks!

ultra sound update!

(hey my last post was my 444th post! WOW!)

Finally home from our u/s. I have confirmed a few things- yep, that is a butt (big butt in my words, no evidence tho) up in my rib cage right side. And yep, that is a foot firmly planted just below my rib cage on the left side. A very persistant foot.

Baby is not measuring huge. I feel really good about the measurements. + or - 1lb from 7lbs 14oz. And the u/s measurements put an EDD of 11/27 rather then 11/24. Fluid looked good. Otherwise, that baby is squeezed tight in there. I can honestly say my belly is ALL BABY.

We got some good 3d images. Baby was just too big to get any of the regular images to look ok. I am going to try taking a picture of the images so I can post them since I dont have a scanner. I am calling the baby Cheeks till he/she is here. Beautiful chubby checks! Full lips like his/her mommy and brother. Cute nose too.

39 week appt update

Late yesterday I saw Dr. W. Of course hoping for something, some sort of progress. Nope, still sealed up tight and high. Ugh. My BP was down just a little bit from last week too. No protien or sugar in my urine either. So that is all good. (TMI alert! I was way hopeful because the previous night I had bloody show and lost a ton of mucus, somthing has to be happening, right?)

I am measuring 41cms, so we scheduled an u/s to see how big the baby is. I really dont know what to think of this. B was always measuring 3 weeks big till the very end. And Dr. L. said 9 lb plus. And born at 41 weeks he was 7lb 8oz. The u/s even said a bigger baby. The thoughts are if we are showing a huge baby to schedule a c-section and not even attempt labor. Part of me says NO C-SEC! other part tells me to just give in, that it is going to happen anyway. What does my incredibly supportive husband say? here is a sample: "it is what it is", "I hope I can go hunting this weekend", "we'll be fine, it will work out". What would I like him to say? "stay strong, I know it has to be hard, but dont give up on the v-bac yet".

39 wks!

I go to the dr. later today. so should have another update then.

Since my night of contractions last wednedsay, I have been almost constantly crampy day in and day out. And "butt pressure" has been almost constant. It has been like one long, extremely bad period. I have been dealing w/ the misery, and enjoying the moments when I am cramp/pressure free. (of course, I have all the other late pregnancy aches and pains on top of this too!)

nursery for baby #2

Well, I dont have the patience for this today- so I have no idea how pretty this post is going be- my pictures wont move dammit! The crib is complete, and moved in, set up and beautiful! Brady tried it out and approves. I've included a another photo of the changes we did since it was B's room. Painted the back wall sage green and added some tree branches. The rocking chair pictured isnt MY rocking chair- I hate that one, it is a very bad nursing rocking chair. MY rocking chair is still in the living room, shortly it will be swapped out.

a dose of uncomfortableness

I forgot to mention- at my 38 wk 2 day appointment yesterday I was measuring a highly uncomfortable 40.5. I find myself arching my back to get caught up on O2 intake. (hb was 137, has always been 135-140, but we dont believe those OWT's)

Chris, when he is home that is, sneaks out of our bed at night because of my horrific snoring. All I gotta say is sweet revenge!

Chris came home for 2 nights, monday and tuesday- he finished the crib and moved it in the house! Pictures to be posted soon, I promise! It is beautiful! Then went away again hunting wednesday afternoon.

During the evening I started noticing cramping and major pressure that would last for a minute or so and would come in go. When I was relaxing w/ B I paid more attention to them because they were stronger- no clock- but I counted 4 of them and 45 minutes had elapsed. Now I noticed that they hurt. So, I started timing them, not really knowing what I was doing at this point- but they were 10-12 minutes apart. So I called Chris and put him "on call". But he drove the normal 1.25 hr trip in an hour. So this was about 10pm. The pain kepts getting more intense thru the night, and when I did time them they were 8 minutes apart. Then somewhere around 2 or 3am- they stopped being consistant and became very random. And thru the day thursday they were random. Still painful, but very random.

I had a scheduled 38 wk OB appt at 3:30. Went in, he checking things out, I am dilated 0. Seriously?!?!?! All those hours of pain, and 0?????????? I couldnt believe it. And my BP is creeping up. I have started to swell a bit in the last week too. So, they are collecting a urine sample every week.

So, since then, still random contractions- lots of pressure and cramping. Extremely uncomfortable to say the least. Even still a bit exhausted from all the contractions/pain and excitement. Chris keeps asking my thoughts on going hunting, and I say "I dont know". At what point do I call him? this can go on for days, even weeks. We'll check the weather, and decide what he can do today and come up w/ a plan to help me out. Being that it is the weekend it will be easier to ask people for help. I am not officially on maternity leave from work- obvisouly didnt work yesterday- feel I need to rest today rather then going in exhausted.

38 weeks today

Over the weekend my mom, and neice Taylor came to visit/help out. My sister and other neice were supposed to come too- but neice Breanna had a fever. We had a nice weekend and restocked the cupboards! that was the big thing.

We also browsed for a coming home outfit. I was thinking of picking up a pink NB outfit, and also taking one of brady's NB outfits too. Somehow a neutral one got held up- and B got all exctied because it had a "duck duck" on it! And he held it saying Baby. So cute. Sure it wasnt pink- but we just had to get it as the coming home outfit. Considering B wont be able to come to the hospital this "duck duck" outfit will be perfect for B to meet the baby in.

I am not nervous or anxious about the birth of the baby. Very hopeful for a v-bac, quite determined really. And I like to say my due date is between today and the next 28 days (42wks). Makes me think I can hang in there for the long haul. So far there is no reason why I cant, blood pressure is still good. :) I am in a much better place mentally right now then I was when I was pregnant with B. Makes me happy I decided to continue treatment for depression and anxiety thru the pregnancy, I was a basketcase last time!

I am nervous about having a new baby. I really didnt like the baby thing last night. Wondering if I will be able to handle all the stresses that come with a new baby. It was so unbearably hard when B was born. The whole next year was the worst year of my life because of my mental state. Hopefully I wont have a repeat of that, I dont think I can bear it again.

where did baby go?

At this time last week, this same thing happened. My belly feels empty, sort of flabby and flat. I also feel few movements. So, last week I rushed to the Dr. for a NST, and I measured small too. (2 days later I measured back on track). I really wonder just where this baby is going, or what position he/she is in. After all this time of feeling so full and the movements in the same spots this is such a weird sensation. Last week, this lasted for 2 days only. Today, I do feel a bit of pressure on my bum, so maybe baby is dropping down a bit. Hmmm. baffled. I'll try not to freak about not feeling so many movements.

away he goes!

After today, chris starts his week of vacation. In an ideal world he would be spending the entire time away from home hunting. Being that I am 37.5wks prego, his ideal world is shattered.

(first comment: any mom's out there that would ever take a week vacation completely away from the house and family? I am talking, leave immediatly friday night after work, be gone for 9 days and return home late sunday night.)

So, the plan is he will leave tonight- my mom, sister and her 2 girls are coming tomorrow till sunday, and Chris will return either Sunday, monday, or tuesday depending on me and the weather. Then the rest of his time is up in the air. He wants to return a bit anyway to work on the crib- it has been stained! Needs to be varnished, then moved in and set up! YAY!

Quick update on my appt yesterday. Hemoglobin is fabulous, baby is head down, HB beautiful. On tuesday I went in because things felt off- I felt empty and less movements. We did a non stress test (NST) and all was fine. I measured 37, the same same as 2 weeks ago. Yesterday, 2 days later, I measured 38.5 and felt full again. I thnk baby went on a vacation for a few days- found some nook or cranny to crawl into and hide out.

crib update and our duck-duck!

Its getting there! still lots of tedious work left, but it is getting closer.
Brady loved his duck-duck costume! (he call's ducks, duck duck, so that has become the name for duck ducks) He was such a precious duck too! He did great trick or treating. Luckily he was feel better so he could go. His ears/sinus infection seem to be much better. We only went to friends and family. It was fun for mom and dad too!

long 36 hours

The last 36 hours have been trying. Brady has an ear infection, sinus infection, and gigantic tonsils. He had one of those fevers that wasnt very high, but tylonol/advil wasnt bringing it down. So he was miserable.

It was quite hard on me, being MASSIVE and 36.5 weeks pregnant. He was clingy and wanted mom! More so, he didnt want to lay down- he wanted to be upright. The recliner doesnt work anymore, my belly is too big, and laying down is tough because he puts all sorts of pressure on my back trying to prop himself. He didnt really care, and bawled if I wasnt holding him in some way and upright. You could tell he was miserable. Yesterday morning, we somehow got a stretch of sleep from 6-10, and I neglected to call in before 8, so there were some worried people waiting to hear from me.

He wouldnt nap all day. He would go to sleep at night. He was a beast. At 12:30am I loaded us up in the truck, and took a drive till he fell alseep. Then made him a place to sleep on the recliner, tilted back just a little. He slept there for about 5 lovely hours.

Anyway... I get to complain a little. My back kills from all that 31 pounds on me for days. My belly is even a bit tender, I think from the extra weight on it of a kid trying to get comfortable. Hopefully, I can get rid of these aches and pains soon.

We spent lots of time trying to convience B that daddy was just as nice to hang on as mommy. Try explaining that to a sick 22mo old!

I hope its....

.... a boy
because I understand the "boy thing" (well, to a degree anyway)
because I have a ton of barely worn baby clothes with trucks.
so Brady could have a brother.
because boys seem like they could be a bit easier.

.... a girl
because I love the girls name we have picked out
so I can experience raising a girl too.
so Brady could have a sister.
because I always thought it would be cool to grow up with a big brother.

Our crib in progress

Chris has been working hard on getting the babies crib done prior to his or her's arrival. (remember, this summer Brady's crib was recalled, and we had been waiting for some wood from my dad that was being kiln dried) we got some wood last weekend and here is how the crib is looking so far! He is doing such a nice job! Right now, the task at hand is steaming the wood to make it curve. (see the 2 pictures below of the process he has rigged up) Notice the curve on the back side, and the curves on the side? That is where the wood needs to be curved. I dont understand the process, but it has been a challange as he has never done this before. Lets hope this goes good!

Above, his steaming invention. LP take providing the heat to the kettle which is putting steam into the tube. The wood is in the tube. Wood comes out, and goes into the clamps seem below to shape the wood into the desired curve.

wedding weekend!

OK, finally some time. :) (lunch break at work)



So my little brother Craig married Sarah this last weekend (yes, she stole my maiden name!). Brady was ring bearer, and I was a highly pregnant bridesmaid. Brady was just adorable in his little tux btw!



So the highlights. Lets start w/ rehersal, there were 2 flower girls, one had a fever. (the area where the wedding was held is overwhelmed w/ h1n1). I couldnt believe that her parents brought her with a fever! She was miserable, it was obvious. We were so angry.



Wedding day... exhausting. B did not make it up the aisle. He ran around the side to the front and got to me that way. Little turkey. But he was still cute. He was craby at that point, so Chris took him to the truck to nap, he was sleeping in seconds.



The priest the couple had been working with was in the hospital, so the deacon from the church married them. It lost that personal touch because it was all so last minute and the deacon didnt know them. But still, the ceremony was nice.



Dinner was great! Dance, oh I wish I could have danced! (I was barely still standing at this point!) they had a great band, and the dance floor was overflowing. We called it a night around 9, and this is were the excitment really starts.



We took along w/ us my 2 neices who were tired. (we were staying at my parents place) Once I got in the truck I noticed some contractions, more like the real deal rather then BH. So, I just noticed the time and monitered it. We got back to the house, and B throws a royal fit while tring to take his tux off. He wanted to sleep!!! In the mean time, the 2 girls start crying because they want thier mom. B wanted me, not his dad to snuggle him back to sleep. Chris couldnt handle the cryng girls. So when I finally got B settled in, I went to the crying girls and tried laying down on the couch while talking sence into them. Some more contractions occur.... I just want to drink water and really lay down and calm them down! Now, one of the girls was crying so hard she was gagging! I fake called thier mom, and left a message. Asked the girls if they remembered how long it took us to drive home, that is at least how long mom had. Separated them (best thing I did was that!) and told them just to close thier eyes and wait. The gagging on fell asleep in a minute. The other was more work. but she gets to sleep, and I get off to bed.



Then, the phone rings.... I can hardly support myself, I miss it. But one of the girls woke up wondering if it was mom. grrr.... it wasnt mom, didnt recognize the number. Got her back to sleep, and me settled again. At that point I had 3 contractions in 1.5 hours.....



Then, someone comes into the house. Here my aunt and uncle, cousin and grandma got locked out of the grandma's house. (they had called too) Lucky for me, Chris could handle this, crying girls- no way! but this... so he went on the quest for a spare key (g-ma rents from my dad) and I stayed in bed.



Chris left me home with the 3 kids, g-ma who is over 90, Uncle, who is mid 70-s I think, and my aunt, who was in the best condition of all- aside from needing an anxiety pill when she got the news that I was having contractions on top of all this. I had no more contractions that night. :)



Finally, last bit of the story. Sunday was the traditional day after party, poprawiny, which is what we polish folks do.... It was nice, because I got to chat w/ family finally! But, my grandma argued with me about the weight I have gained during this pregnancy. Those that know this grandma, probably wont be surprised. But really... I already feel like a buffalo.... do I need to be told that I look like I have gained way more then 14 lbs????

sorry to dissapoint

my loyal readers- I am just too wiped to blog.

But a quick update- went to ob today, because I was concerned about the contractions- they said because they quite w/ laying down that all is ok. They didnt do an internal, and on a contraction stand point I feel better today.

They were very concerned about my exposure to H1N1. I got my h1n1 flu shot and a precription of Tamiflu to take on a preventative basis. In the mean time, I feel like doodie. Could be exhaustion, flu, flu shot, tamiflu, many reasons, but just doodie.

very quick post

just a teaser post that I am going to post later. such a busy weekend! My little brother got married. B was the ring bearer, I was a 35 wk pregnant bridesmaid, and Chris was B's personal attendant. It was EXHAUSTING!

so... the teaser part... later I will share my stories that include contractions, crying children, crabby daddies, extreme exposure to H1N1, and tons of cuteness. Oh, and I have put myself on bedrest today, I do feel the need to go lie down again.

today-

Though I personally have not experienced the loss of a baby, my heart breaks for those who have. Today, is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Rememberance Day. My family and friends who have gone thru this pain, you are in my thoughts and prayers today.

I am remembering the twins our family lost on last Christmas Day. Chance and Kennedy were born sleeping, thier parents (and family and friends) are heartbroken. They joined 2 more angel siblings in heaven. (thier mom and dad are expecting a baby in March. Shel and Cal- you're both prayed for daily)

Click here to view these pictures larger

Recommendations: sling for nursing

Can anyone please give me opinions on nursing slings/carriers? Ones that work, ones that don't work. I'd greatly appreciate it! THANKS!

sleep like a baby?

That line is a lie! It really is, I cringe when I hear it. Brayden has never slept like a baby. ever. I dont get it, we have tried everything. Night routines, routines in general, warm milk, comfy place to sleep. The best we can ask for that is extremely rare is an 8 hour night uninterupted. Usually, he only gets 6 hours of sleep total at night (uninterupted, or interupted) and a 1-2 hour nap during the day. He is a happy and functioning 22 month old.

We don't get it! How can this busy kid not require more sleep? Chris and I are finally not getting angry about it and trying to change him and work with him. I go to bed first, since I seem to have the highest sleep requirements lately. Chris stays up with B, eventually putting him to bed. I wake w/ him at night if and when he does wake. And I wake w/ him in the morning. This works out fine on week nights, but on the weekends it can be more difficult. There is something about weekends that make us both require more sleep then we really need.

My Growth Chart

This turned out better then I expected! The growth chart itself is from Upper Case Living. They have some very cute growth charts, like a giraffe, baseball bat, fishing pole, corn stalk. But this bloom one was the one I had to have! (this is a growth chart more for me then for my kids.)

The blue dragon fly marks Brady's 18month height. Next time I order from UCL I will get some letters taht say 18months. I am a bad mommy, and cant find B's 12month height- so I will get that from the. I have an orange butterfly to mark the heights of child #2. At the top, I will put the kids names. So, a work in progress. I will probably add some more colored butterflys, like you see around 4' high.

Chris made the framed board for me because I couldnt bear placing the stickers on the wall and loosing them someday to a new paint color. He did a great job!

picture time

Above, my massively scary huge belly at 33 weeks. Its just so big. That's all I have to say about it. Brady gets it, he rubs my belly and says Ouch.
Below, Brady w/ Curious George. He loves this money so much lately. Yes, George is wearing a Bum Genius. They dont fit my chunky monkey very well still, and getting Brady to get his diaper changed can be a fight. You see, a huge part of parenting is outsmarting your children. Now that George has a diaper too, all I have to do is ask Brady if George needs his diaper checked- and he goes running to his bedroom and lays down on his back. He checks George's diaper, and I change B's diaper w/out getting kicked. Once we start cloth diapering baby #2 we will have to take back the BG and come up with a new plan.

Wondering why he is sleeping upright on a chair? This kid prefers to go, go, go until he crashes. In his baby book there is a section called "I can sleep anywhere but in my crib".

analyze this!

Anyone a good dream analyzer? I have 2 that have me puzzled, they are quit similar.

This one has been recurrant lately: I am looking in a mirror, plucking my eye brows and they keep growing back as I watch. It's the middle part, like a uni-brow that I am plucking and growing back.

The second one was last night, but seems similar to the other one. for some reason I needed to strip down naked, I got all my clothes off and each time I took my panties off there was another pair on and I kept taking my panties off.

33 weeks

I am 33 weeks and a couple days I think. This pregnancy is so different from the last. for one thing, I knew to the day where I was, I can hardly recall the week!

I think I am carrying this baby lower, for at least a month now I have been having lots of leg pain. Hopefully my legs will still be able to support me by the end of this pregnancy! The pain I dont understand, is the constant inner thiegh aches. Like sore muscles on both legs. No matter what I do, it is there. Otherwise, the normal Sciatic Nerve pain, charlie horses. The ECP is bad (short for Evil Crotch Pain), no idea just WHAT that really is, but it sucks and it is worry some. Last time, my hemi's didnt bother me till the very end (sorry, TMI!) but this time around..... YEOUCH! I wish I could remember the names I had given them 2 years ago... thinking one was Hilga.... Otherwise, still have that tender belly button going on. Dr. said it might be a herneated bellybutton, but there is nothing I can do about it anyway, so who really cares what it is called.

I am doing good on the weight gain, as of last week just 13 lbs! Last baby- I gained 45-50 total. However this time I feel like I have gained 100.

Last time, the nursery was set up and ready by now. this time, LOL, it is a storage room still. The crib isnt built, neither is the changing table. No clothes are out and ready. But I learned last time, all you really need is a boob. The rest will work out and we'll be fine.

It is a fun experience going thru this pregnancy with a toddler. Seeing things thru his eyes and wondering what he thinks and understands. He can be really caring and rub my belly and give it kisses at times. He is understanding what gentle means, finally! such a boy. At the same time, being pregnant with a toddler is incredibly exhausting!

some things I am not cut out for in a job

1. Working side by side w/ the same person monday-friday every week. ACK. I seriously dont know how people do it without going postal!
2. Working strictly Monday-Friday. Its depressing to me to waste sunday dreading monday. Then all I do is look forward to fridays. For the last 6 years I have been working a mixed up shift including some weekends, and have never worked monday-friday like I am right now.
3. Working mixed up shifts. :p
4. Working in family businesses. My bloggy friends probably dont know this about me. I grew up in a family business. Earth moving, construction. Think dozers and dump trucks. Everyone in my family works there now but me. My dad is the big cheif, my mom works in the office, so does my sister. Her hubby is an estimater, so is one of my brothers. My other brother is a truck driver. I dont know how they do it every day and remain civilized at family functions. But now, I find myself a non-family member in a family business.

what do you think?

There are some nights that B wakes up at about 3 or 4 wide awake and not wanting to go to bed. Seems like he wants to watch TV when he gets up. Last night it happened again! While driving to work I was pondering why he thinks its time to wake up? What do you think of this? When he does sleep all night, he usually wakes at about 6am. He gets up, I give him a cup of juice, and let him watch Curious George. Is he getting up, thinking it is time to get up and watch curious george?

Any ideas of what changes I can make so he goes back to sleep? I dont let him watch TV at 3am when he wakes. I try to get him back to sleep, with no luck, then let him play. Should I change that morning routine? to what?

that little bugger

after I go to sleep he has been turning the heat up. so much for our ability to compromise!

hot prego!

Thru this pregnancy Chris and I have been having issues about what to keep the temp of the house at. Perfect example, last night. We got home around 8:30, I thought the house was wonderfully perfect at 65 degrees. Chris thought it was freezing. Brady is a hot little guy, so he probably fell somewhere between chris and I. Chris wanted the heat at 70! I told him I hate waking up sweaty, lets go for 67 to get the chill out. Luckily we compromised at 68. I embrace these freezing nights and cooler days- and I so ready not to complain daily that I am HOT!

My 31st birthday weekend

Brayden's bed is completed! This was one of my beds growing up. My parents bought it when I was about 2, it's a set of bunk beds. (not bunking them till Brady is much older!) We sanded them down and stained them. It's oak and they are SO sturdy! BTW, that is duck duck sleepting with Brady. He loves his duck duck!

Happy birthday to me! My boys took me out for dinner for my birthday. They also got me a pedicure and manicure, they were extra nice and sweet to me all weekend long too.

We went to Down on the Farm this morning while it was still gorgeous out. Brady loved the ducks, chickens, donkeys and horses. I could not get him to take his eyes off the animals to take a nice pictures. He got to feed the ducks and chickens too! He loved that! B thought the little gourds were pretty neat too. He was such an angel this weekend, a total delight.

Finally, we got our recalled crib returned to Shopko. It wasnt a pain, just time consuming. Soon Chris should be able to start building the new crib. I can just hear it, 15 years from now. Brady to sibling: "I had to sleep in a crib that was recalled because it was so unsafe! and dad built yours by hand!" LOL. We will make sure Brady gets something special built from his dad.

lesson learned

At the dinner table last night, B made this gagging noise and not thinking chris and I laughed. Of course B laughed too. Towards the end of dinner he tried doing it again and threw up his whole dinner! After the chaos was over and all was cleaned up, chris and I decided that we best be careful not to laugh at those inapproprite yet funny moments. Bad parents! However, lesson learned.

clipping my toenails

This weekend is my birthday, and I mentioned to chris that I deserve a "thoughtful" birthday gift. He was trying to think of some thoughtful things last night, and I reminded him that it doesnt have to be a "thing" or a gift in the traditional way. So I suggested that he thinks hard and put some thoughtfulness into this. He did come up with one "thoughtful" idea- clipping my toenails for me. I told him good idea, now work with it... keep going.... I'll keep you posted on what he comes up with! (really, clipping my toe nails is thoughtful. He realizes that it is getting difficult for me to do.)

We are making it official and announcing that at 21 months we are 100% bottle free! Brady just quite asking for it about a week ago and hasnt asked for it since. woohoo! now we are working on establishing a new night time routine to help him settle down before bed time. Falling asleep has been taking him 30-45 minutes because he just hasnt settled down. My hopes are getting his father on board in the new nighttime routines, since chances are this will become a daddy thing when baby #2 comes home.

The infamous woodworking shop

OK, here is before the tools arrived. See that one saw in the back corner? See the table saw behind the persons elbow? ok.... ready???

Here is our woodworking shop, formerly known as our detached garage after the big purchase. See that man in the back corner? He's the happy one.

We have been working on Brady's big boy bed for a few weeks now. The front bed post in the photo (if you can see around my bigness) is the before, and the bedposts in the back are a sneak peak at the after. These were my bunk beds growing up! By the end of the week all should be complete and Brady should be in his new bed!

Brady's father sanding the headboard. It took lots of sanding to get it stripped down completely.

2 nights bottle free!

Brady hasnt asked for a bottle for 2 nights now. :) It is nice, and we hope this trend continues! No fight bottle weaning, and lead by the child is what we want.

a nice milestone

Brady wipes his own snotty nose! He cant blow it yet, but he can at least wipe the boggies dripping down his face.

Why is this so fabulous? Prior to this, picture me or chris chasing him around with a tissue trying to wipe his nose for him, once we did catch him he would flip out, shake his head, cry, and get boggies all over the place. Now, there is peace in the house. We ask him to wipe his nose, he gets his own tissue, wipes, throws his tissue away, then claps!

30 week appointment update

gotta make this quick, we are running late this morning! (but that is nothing new!)

In the last 1.5 weeks or so I have become quite uncomfortable and just full feeling. Also very stretched out feeling too. At each appointment the nurse takes a measurement from the top of my pelvic bone to the top of my uterus. That number is usually the same or very close to the number of weeks you are. So at 26 weeks, I was 26cm. At 30 weeks I was 32. That probably explains why I feel like I got big fast, because I did- ouch!

My belly button hurts too. Just in the last couple days. Can hardly touch it. I might have a hernia. fabulous. Nurse asked if I needed a Doctors note for work to dake it easy, I told her I need a husband note instead. My boss is fabulous, and would probably yell at my husband if he knew what Chris had me doing sunday night.

For Rent:

One 21 month old.
He features:
excellent guard dog at night, due to not requiring much sleep
ability to unload silverware from the dishwasher
ability to stuff towels in the proper drawers
excellent organization skills, such as stacking pots and pans
alarm for when things break by saying uh-oh until you go look at it
ability to load sorted laundry into front load washer
obsession with pushing buttons on front load washer and dryer
ability to properly transfer laundry to the dryer
tearer of toilet paper when you need it, will ball it up when requested
washing things in toilets
gives hugs and kisses when injured
locator of pets

He Requires:
kissies on owies, which occur frequently
ability to brush his teeth a lot
pet
books
Happy Feet movie
mandarin oranges
fruit snacks

unbelievable.

It is my blog, so I will vent if I want too!

I always thought I had a pretty clear image of what we could afford and that Chris and I were on the same page with spending. We have a comfortable savings, and we basically buy what we want within reason. Both of us arent big spenders, so it has worked well for 6 years now.

So, this garage that we have been building since early spring- yeah. Chris wanted some new shop tools- such as a table saw that new was going to be over $3000. So I turned him onto Craigs list thinking he could pick that up for less. He found a guy getting a divorce and wanting to get the heck out of here selling his entire workshop. Chris checked it out, said it was a screaming deal- I trust him on that- he was bound and determined to make an offer. Sure I could have fought this and said Hell No- but I didnt. It seems important to him, so we discussed it, and I went along with him. Now, I am the co-owner of a shop full of power tools that would make most people (including tech ed departments at schools) jealous. I decided that I would just deal with my 2 door car, no payment on it is fabulous! These tools cost us just a couple grand less then what my budget is for a used 4-door car.

I really dont know how I feel about this. All along we have said we cant afford for me to go part time. To make things hurtful, my husband doesnt think before he speaks and always throws in the comment that I just dont want to work and be lazy. We dont go on trips, we just dont spend money in general. So, add all of that to this big tool purchase and I really cant help but be a little sour. So, what can we afford? Do we have more disposible money then I thought? Why is this a bigger value then me working less and being more hands on with raising our kids?

So, I was a sour puss to him this weekend. My new line when we talk about buying something or affording something is "sell a tool!".

To top off all of this was last night. Chris just doesnt think sometimes! He decided at 7pm that we (him and his 30wk prego wife) were going to do the blow in insulation in his garage. At 7pm he decided this, bought the stuff and rented the blower!! On a sunday! WTF? His plan for brady, he could play outside while we worked?????????????? I thought that was rediculous, and started thinking of someone that could take care of him while we do this project. Luckily my old neighbor rachel was in her car before I even finished asking her if she could do it! I so owe rachel! Her and B played for a bit, and she had him in bed an hour later. She was able to leave by 9. Anyway.... 10:30 at night we called it a night, only got 1/3 of the insulation done. My 30 week prego body KILLS today. you name it, it hurts. Bad. On top of it, I am extrememly crabby about the whole situation. I go to bed by 9 usually, and my body is no longer made for standing next to an insulation grinder machine and fulling it for 2.5 hours.

I told chris this morning, that he best be planning a very thoughtful birthday present.

Anxiety and Allergies

As you may remember, I chose to remain on my depression/anxiety medication thru this pregnancy. I had such severe PPD w/ Brady, and between the doctors (pshych, OB and pedi) we all agreed the benefits of the medications outweigh the risks.

Up until the last couple weeks I have been doing fabulous! When I see my Pshych dr I fill out this form and it gets scored. For 3 months I scored perfectly (which is rare and awesome! but I decided the planned course was still the way to go), last month I did just a little worse, but felt I could manage my symptoms, and today I scored even worse. Not horrible bad, but very bad on the anxiety side of things. Today my dr (Dr. Shah at Marshfield Clinic, who I highly reccommend to women!!!) wasnt available, I have always seen her, she has to be the best Dr. I have ever seen in terms of taking the time to tell me the pros and cons of things, giving me her honest opinion when I ask, just all around great. So I saw her PA, she basically took down my information, and was going to have Dr. Shah contact me later today. No problem, I'll work with it.

The PA pulled up my records and noticed that between Sept. 5 and Sept 15 for the past 3 years I have been complaining of increased anxiety. also, that is the time frame I have started Zertec for allergies. I have been on zertec for years for fall allergies and the thought has never crossed my mind that there could be a relation between the two.

Starting last thursday I have been way short of breath (read post below). At this point I was already feeling some anxiety too. Tuesday I started the allergy meds and started breathing better, but my anxiety has been way high. So, the plan is to go off the allergy meds, not increase the meds for anxiety just yet, and find a way to breath better. First Im trying benedryl, hoping that wont make me too tired. If that doesnt help, then we'll try something new.

In the meantime, it will feel like I live at the clinic. Every 2 weeks for OB, every 2 weeks for phsych. In the meantime I have a derm appointment too. More then likely, at the end of this pregnancy I will be going every week for both departments.

Brady and Baby

Brady can be quite cute and gentle when he wants to. We will ask him where the baby is, and he will lift up my shirt and either rub or kiss my belly. He has this thing with poking belly buttons and screaming "aaahhhhh", I have told him ouch, it hurts mommy to poke my belly but so now he gently rubs it.

He's got his moments- both ways lately. Seems so much more important then ever to keep his napping and feeding needs met so he doesnt act up. Oh, and keep him cool! He HATES being hot!

breathe!

Since thursday I've had a shortness of breath. I'm scared I am gonna freak out about it and have a panic attack then pass out. I've come close a few times already. I dont even have to be moving to be short of breath, simply breathing I am short breath!

There a few culprits in mind- allergies- so I bought some Zyrtec this morning. Baby compromising my space is another possibility.

what's your opinion?

This is quite approriate for Labor day weekend. What is your opinion on paycuts and furloughs? some companies are taking the route that there are pay cuts, but no changes in the hours people are working. Others are going the route of furlough days- so they are telling thier employees to take off so many days in the year, so in the end it is similar to a pay cut however they are getting these days off unpaid.

What's your thoughts? What is your background? employee, employer. family business, small company, large company, union...

She's crafty!

The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me, especially for you. I promise I'll make it worth your while!

This offer does have some restrictions & limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will.
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- They say I have a year to get it to you but I promise it won't take THAT long.
4-You have no clue what it's going to be.

The catch? You must repost this on your blog & offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.

"no" with sass, "yes" with sweetness

This kid! He has changed so much in the last couple weeks! Some new challages for mom and dad. When he says NO to something, it is very brisk and you can tell he means it, "this is how it is" sort of no. It is so sassy! But when he says YES, it is clear, soft, sweet and obediant. He even gets the right look in his eye when he says Yes.

who was that kid?

Wow! if that was a sneak peak of what the terrible 2's and 3's are going to be, I am terrified! I really did not know who that kid was earlier this week. It was 3 days of temper tantrums, non-stop. Lucky for dad and I, we had the good old Brayden back last night and this morning.

Tracy, B's daycare mom, was struggling with him. He was walking up to other kids who were just playing nicely and smacking them. So she started giving him timeouts. The brady must have decided to beat the system, (I really dont know what he was thinking!) and hit kids then put him self into the timeout chair. So, hopefully he was an angel for her today so she takes him back next week!

3 hour gd test

The 3 hour gestational diabetes test today was horrible!!!!!! After 10pm last night I ate nothing. B was up from 2:30-5:30 being a monster. I was up with him, because his father was tired (that is a while 'nother post!). I was hungry at 2:30 already. Went to the lab at 8, got my first blood draw- sucked down the sugary drink- and went out to the waiting room to chill for 3 hours total. (every hour they were going to call me in to draw blood).

Just 10 minutes before my 1hr draw I started to feel funny and thought I was gonna puke. I knew I did not want to puke because I would have had to redo this whole thing again. So I got up and started making my way to the nurse in the lab, and she came running to me. Just then I started feeling faint and my legs gave out. We were just 5 feet from a bench so she helped me lay down. I dont think I completely passed out, just laid down in the nick of time! She said I was white and sweaty and she thought I was going down right then.

They drew my blood on time, and lined up an empty room for me in the obgyn dept. They wanted to haul me there right away, but I really didnt want to puke and redo this stupid test (even though I wanted to puke and feel better!!). So I laid in the lab for a bit more, then I was ready for them to wheel me to the room. In there I spent the next 2 hours focusing on not throwing up. I hardly moved because I thought I would lose it! Torture...... After my 2 hour draw I felt a smidge better and was able to take a little nap. then after my 3hr draw the nurse brought me crackers and said she had to make sure I felt fine before I could leave. So I munched on crackers and water for quite awhile- in no time I was feel better. :) She looked up my results while I was there, and I passed this GD screening.

The rest of the day was a waste. I felt weak and just icky. Anxious too for some reason. I was supposed to work the rest of the day, but couldnt. I napped a bit at home, and slowly ate food and drank water.