Too much time has gone by and the blogs are unkept! I feel bad because I enjoy blogging and sharing about the kids and life in general and keeping in touch with those few of you who I link to via this place. I hope no one's forgotten me! I haven't forgotten you! I have just been insanely busy.
I have more pictures of my precious children to post. THEY ARE GROWING and Emilia is now 7 months and 17lbs. She is wearing size 9 months clothing and just is SUCH a personality!
I will be back later with pictures to share :)
HAVE A GREAT TUESDAY!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
MORE PICTURES?
That is all I ever do here, huh? Post pictures of my girls??? :) CANNOT HELP IT! I am a proud mama! Since I know this isn't happening again, I am EXTRA proud and excited of the girls.
I will have some good ones coming this week of Elena in her dance gear! She is taking lessons now. And Emilia being her cute self will join those pics, no doubt!
Life is fine. Tiring and frustrating more often than not, but the girls are shining lights in the darkness! :)
How can these faces NOT cheer you up?
I will have some good ones coming this week of Elena in her dance gear! She is taking lessons now. And Emilia being her cute self will join those pics, no doubt!
Life is fine. Tiring and frustrating more often than not, but the girls are shining lights in the darkness! :)
How can these faces NOT cheer you up?
Monday, June 29, 2009
Time to Look in the Mirror
It has BEEN time but I have been avoiding it. I weigh from time to time but just haven't been in the place where I can say "okay, I really will watch my food intake and start to exercise." HOW DO MOMS DO IT? Especially newer moms?
I want to SLEEP not go move my body around and sweat, necessitating a very rare and precious SHOWER! As it is I have to schedule those, to be sure the kids are being watched and that big sis is supervised and little sis is kept alive by someone.
So I am not ready to really start to exercise. I WILL start walking. It is rough because it is in the 100s here lately. And my heel spurs are back (had them for a while after Elena was born too). HOWEVER, I hate that I am breastfeeding and not losing weight and it is because I have not reigned in my eating yet.
I eat too much of the bad foods. I don't eat massive quantities, but I do make bad choices. Sometimes I make faster choices because I don't want to spend precious time in the kitchen.
For some reason I am having a hard time deciding to really make the changes I need to make to my food. I have done this countless times before and NEVER found it so hard to really commit to change like I am now. I guess it is because with so many other things to worry about, I don't want to add to the list. I imagine it has something to do with not wanting to invest in planning and executing and possibly failing when it is easier to just be.
Easy is not usually good and that is what I am settling for these days!
So my ass will not shrink any time soon. I do weigh around what I did pre-Emilia, but of course I don't look like I did and I am and probably will continue to stagnate until I sign on to make the serious changes needed to see my weight go down.
THE GOOD NEWS is that I have a very healthy and beautiful breast-fed child who is thriving and growing and continually impressing and amazing me. I focus on that for now and hope the rest will fall into place when I can handle it! I hope that time comes sooner rather than later!
Speaking of my sweet child, here are more pictures and a video for the clammoring masses out there. Okay, so I don't think there are more than two or three of you since no one leaves me messages, but you few are very important people!
ENJOY!
I want to SLEEP not go move my body around and sweat, necessitating a very rare and precious SHOWER! As it is I have to schedule those, to be sure the kids are being watched and that big sis is supervised and little sis is kept alive by someone.
So I am not ready to really start to exercise. I WILL start walking. It is rough because it is in the 100s here lately. And my heel spurs are back (had them for a while after Elena was born too). HOWEVER, I hate that I am breastfeeding and not losing weight and it is because I have not reigned in my eating yet.
I eat too much of the bad foods. I don't eat massive quantities, but I do make bad choices. Sometimes I make faster choices because I don't want to spend precious time in the kitchen.
For some reason I am having a hard time deciding to really make the changes I need to make to my food. I have done this countless times before and NEVER found it so hard to really commit to change like I am now. I guess it is because with so many other things to worry about, I don't want to add to the list. I imagine it has something to do with not wanting to invest in planning and executing and possibly failing when it is easier to just be.
Easy is not usually good and that is what I am settling for these days!
So my ass will not shrink any time soon. I do weigh around what I did pre-Emilia, but of course I don't look like I did and I am and probably will continue to stagnate until I sign on to make the serious changes needed to see my weight go down.
THE GOOD NEWS is that I have a very healthy and beautiful breast-fed child who is thriving and growing and continually impressing and amazing me. I focus on that for now and hope the rest will fall into place when I can handle it! I hope that time comes sooner rather than later!
Speaking of my sweet child, here are more pictures and a video for the clammoring masses out there. Okay, so I don't think there are more than two or three of you since no one leaves me messages, but you few are very important people!
ENJOY!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
2.5 Months and Counting!
I say it OFTEN but time flies these days!
My girl is getting so big and I am enjoying ALMOST every minute of it!!! ;)
I have so many pictures to post but here are just a few of the very latest from the last week!
ENJOY!
My favorite:
Making faces:
Being STRONG!
Being DRAWN (by her Elena...self portrait, including Emilia):
Excited:
and chillin' with big sis:
Quick Video for those of you still here! :)
My girl is getting so big and I am enjoying ALMOST every minute of it!!! ;)
I have so many pictures to post but here are just a few of the very latest from the last week!
ENJOY!
My favorite:
Making faces:
Being STRONG!
Being DRAWN (by her Elena...self portrait, including Emilia):
Excited:
and chillin' with big sis:
Quick Video for those of you still here! :)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Post Op
So it has been almost seven weeks since my emergency C-section and life is pretty good from where I sit. It was the hardest week of my life I think (that week of delivery) but my daughter is a blessing I wouldn't trade her for the world.
Having said that, knowing I would have to endure another C section was news I did not take well when it was given, but due to the obvious gravity of the situation, I sucked up the tears quickly. Within 15 minutes, I was getting my spinal. In another five minutes, I was prepped and waiting for the OB to show up.
Having had a previous C, I know how fast things go. Once everyone was in place, the baby appears within minutes. Minutes came and went however, and I felt lots of tugging and heard the doctor voices become more hushed. I found out later how grave the situation really was.
My insides were bad. I had adhesions and bad bad scarring from the last C that made it impossible for them to re-cut. Lots of efforts were made, but they abandoned it in order to expedite the delivery. The scarring was so bad that my fallopian tubes and my bladder were glued to my uterus via this excess tissue. I ended up needing to get a new incision on the vertical and while they were cutting, the old scar on the horizontal ruptured. So I lost a ton of blood.
Once inside of me, they saw that the placenta was falling off my uterus, which is why the baby had bad readings while I was on the monitors (prompting the decision for surgery). Despite this complication, the baby was fine and has no noticeable issues due to lack of blood/oxygen while in the uterus.
I should be EXTREMELY thankful. And I most certainly am! My baby had a rough go of coming into the world but seems fine and is healthy, smart and beautiful!
The problem that saddens me is that the OB who did the surgery, the one they called in to assist due to its complexity and the midwife who was assisting, all agree on the fact that I should not get pregnant again.
This is very depressing news to me on so many levels. I don't even know if I would have had more (even though I know I wanted more), but being told not to get pregnant is not something that I enjoyed hearing. They showed me graphs and used very vivid language in explaining things. They were quite detailed. Hearing the issues I might have, the complexity of future surgeries, the difficulty of recovery and the risks to the child made it clear that they are right, but it is STILL hard to grasp.
I feel young and thinking my child bearing years have come to an end makes me feel old. It makes me feel like a huge part of my life and what I love are no more. I have a new life now. It's a different one.
They first told me immediately after surgery. Then while I was in the hospital recovering for a week, I heard it a number of times more. Then at my follow up appointments, I heard it yet again from the OB one week and the midwife the next week. They both immediately brought up birth control methods and made suggestions. The midwife had me leave with a follow up appointment made to deal with birth control insertion AND gave me strict orders to AVOID SEX until after things are fixed. Until I am fixed. :(
I don't feel ready to make a decision. I felt like they told me which methods they felt were best and I just nodded. I don't know the first thing about these things really because "long term" birth control was never part of my plan.
I feel numb still. I have tried for weeks to come to grips with this news and feel selfish sometimes for mourning so much.
I have two beautiful girls and some people are never blessed with a single child. Some people struggle for years to finally enjoy a pregnancy and birth, oftentimes only after seeking help from science. I have two gorgeous children and I should feel blessed. I do feel blessed, but I cannot help but feel sad for the children I won't have. Sad for the siblings I cannot give my children.
I am also quite Sad for myself. I won't experience pregnancy again. I won't ever again experience the great firsts I have started to enjoy with Emilia.
I won't ever get to be surprised by a plus sign on the pregnancy test. I wont ever again get to tell my husband the good news! Thinking that if I do get pregnant, it will somehow be "bad" news just doesn't compute to me. This is what they have told me, however. Becoming pregnant is BAD. Bad for my health and potentially bad for any child.
I could not struggle with getting pregnant because I know I would have to have that child. So I do have to figure out what to do to avoid getting pregnant.
It is sad, but it also doesn't sit well with me as a Catholic.
There is a lot more thinking that has to be done on this subject, so I am putting off the appointment so that I can do more research and rethink things some. I want to feel good about whatever I do and right now I don't feel ready or able to deal with any of it.
I love my girl and I am glad to have her. I love her sister too. My girls are special and make me a better person. Looking at them makes me happy and always reminds me that although my body seems to have many issues that make having a baby the old fashioned way impossible, it did a good job incubating! Thank God for that much!
Having said that, knowing I would have to endure another C section was news I did not take well when it was given, but due to the obvious gravity of the situation, I sucked up the tears quickly. Within 15 minutes, I was getting my spinal. In another five minutes, I was prepped and waiting for the OB to show up.
Having had a previous C, I know how fast things go. Once everyone was in place, the baby appears within minutes. Minutes came and went however, and I felt lots of tugging and heard the doctor voices become more hushed. I found out later how grave the situation really was.
My insides were bad. I had adhesions and bad bad scarring from the last C that made it impossible for them to re-cut. Lots of efforts were made, but they abandoned it in order to expedite the delivery. The scarring was so bad that my fallopian tubes and my bladder were glued to my uterus via this excess tissue. I ended up needing to get a new incision on the vertical and while they were cutting, the old scar on the horizontal ruptured. So I lost a ton of blood.
Once inside of me, they saw that the placenta was falling off my uterus, which is why the baby had bad readings while I was on the monitors (prompting the decision for surgery). Despite this complication, the baby was fine and has no noticeable issues due to lack of blood/oxygen while in the uterus.
I should be EXTREMELY thankful. And I most certainly am! My baby had a rough go of coming into the world but seems fine and is healthy, smart and beautiful!
The problem that saddens me is that the OB who did the surgery, the one they called in to assist due to its complexity and the midwife who was assisting, all agree on the fact that I should not get pregnant again.
This is very depressing news to me on so many levels. I don't even know if I would have had more (even though I know I wanted more), but being told not to get pregnant is not something that I enjoyed hearing. They showed me graphs and used very vivid language in explaining things. They were quite detailed. Hearing the issues I might have, the complexity of future surgeries, the difficulty of recovery and the risks to the child made it clear that they are right, but it is STILL hard to grasp.
I feel young and thinking my child bearing years have come to an end makes me feel old. It makes me feel like a huge part of my life and what I love are no more. I have a new life now. It's a different one.
They first told me immediately after surgery. Then while I was in the hospital recovering for a week, I heard it a number of times more. Then at my follow up appointments, I heard it yet again from the OB one week and the midwife the next week. They both immediately brought up birth control methods and made suggestions. The midwife had me leave with a follow up appointment made to deal with birth control insertion AND gave me strict orders to AVOID SEX until after things are fixed. Until I am fixed. :(
I don't feel ready to make a decision. I felt like they told me which methods they felt were best and I just nodded. I don't know the first thing about these things really because "long term" birth control was never part of my plan.
I feel numb still. I have tried for weeks to come to grips with this news and feel selfish sometimes for mourning so much.
I have two beautiful girls and some people are never blessed with a single child. Some people struggle for years to finally enjoy a pregnancy and birth, oftentimes only after seeking help from science. I have two gorgeous children and I should feel blessed. I do feel blessed, but I cannot help but feel sad for the children I won't have. Sad for the siblings I cannot give my children.
I am also quite Sad for myself. I won't experience pregnancy again. I won't ever again experience the great firsts I have started to enjoy with Emilia.
I won't ever get to be surprised by a plus sign on the pregnancy test. I wont ever again get to tell my husband the good news! Thinking that if I do get pregnant, it will somehow be "bad" news just doesn't compute to me. This is what they have told me, however. Becoming pregnant is BAD. Bad for my health and potentially bad for any child.
I could not struggle with getting pregnant because I know I would have to have that child. So I do have to figure out what to do to avoid getting pregnant.
It is sad, but it also doesn't sit well with me as a Catholic.
There is a lot more thinking that has to be done on this subject, so I am putting off the appointment so that I can do more research and rethink things some. I want to feel good about whatever I do and right now I don't feel ready or able to deal with any of it.
I love my girl and I am glad to have her. I love her sister too. My girls are special and make me a better person. Looking at them makes me happy and always reminds me that although my body seems to have many issues that make having a baby the old fashioned way impossible, it did a good job incubating! Thank God for that much!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
One Month and counting!!
Time passes quickly when you live in a vacuum!
Emilia turns a month old this week!
I have a couple of pictures to share with you that are from this week and today. She has started to smile and that has really made things entertaining. She is a joy--although still thinks midnight to 5 a.m. is "morning". That complicates things as far as getting decent sleep is concerned, but she is still a treasure!
ENJOY!
Emilia turns a month old this week!
I have a couple of pictures to share with you that are from this week and today. She has started to smile and that has really made things entertaining. She is a joy--although still thinks midnight to 5 a.m. is "morning". That complicates things as far as getting decent sleep is concerned, but she is still a treasure!
ENJOY!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Emilia Andrea Gracia: Photos from first week
These are all cell phone images we captured during week one at home. Excuse mess and mismatched clothes and no makeup having faces! :)
I know it looks like all she does is sleep but its quite the opposite. She cries a *LOT* and eats even more. She is ALWAYS hungry it seems. This is a mixed blessing. I am dropping weight like no one's business, but breast feeding can be quite painful with an eater like this (who also refuses to latch well)!
So there is no such thing as a free lunch! I am paying dearly for this weight loss! (Pain, lack of sleep, rinse & repeat.) I can not think of another diet that is too much easier. No pain no gain, right?
;)
More pics to come once I get my camera ones online and re-sized!
Have a great day!
I know it looks like all she does is sleep but its quite the opposite. She cries a *LOT* and eats even more. She is ALWAYS hungry it seems. This is a mixed blessing. I am dropping weight like no one's business, but breast feeding can be quite painful with an eater like this (who also refuses to latch well)!
So there is no such thing as a free lunch! I am paying dearly for this weight loss! (Pain, lack of sleep, rinse & repeat.) I can not think of another diet that is too much easier. No pain no gain, right?
;)
More pics to come once I get my camera ones online and re-sized!
Have a great day!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Our New Baby is Home!
We went into the hospital last Monday night and only came home last night! A WHOLE WEEK we were there! :(
Our daughter, Emilia Andrea Gracia, was born at 9:17pm on March 30th. She was 8lbs 9ozs and is 20 inches long.
She is something else! Came out screaming and with her eyes open taking everything in! We got to spend a LOT of time with her immediately and she was very quiet and her eyes were looking us over and looking at anyone who handled her. So insane to watch an infant be that alert!
She was born via emergency C section and the section was not without complications. It took a long time and I ended up needing blood replenished afterward. It was a rough go for sure! Thankfully I had all the complications and aftershocks and she was flawless. Not even jaundiced! Healthy little angel!
Pictures will come shortly!!!
Our daughter, Emilia Andrea Gracia, was born at 9:17pm on March 30th. She was 8lbs 9ozs and is 20 inches long.
She is something else! Came out screaming and with her eyes open taking everything in! We got to spend a LOT of time with her immediately and she was very quiet and her eyes were looking us over and looking at anyone who handled her. So insane to watch an infant be that alert!
She was born via emergency C section and the section was not without complications. It took a long time and I ended up needing blood replenished afterward. It was a rough go for sure! Thankfully I had all the complications and aftershocks and she was flawless. Not even jaundiced! Healthy little angel!
Pictures will come shortly!!!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
I'm DUE today!!!
I have had contractions off and on but NOTHING near what it should be if labor was impending.
This morning I did have some bloody show though (gross I know) but that damn near had me in tears. It is the beginning of the end and I see a light at the end of the tunnel. FINALLY.
I didnt have this with ELena, so we will see what the day brings.
Off to shower, get dressed, go to church, then go for a long walk and hope for the best! WISH ME LUCK and please pray that things progress sooner rather than later! :)
More updates to come. And watch this space for pictures as soon as she is delivered!
This morning I did have some bloody show though (gross I know) but that damn near had me in tears. It is the beginning of the end and I see a light at the end of the tunnel. FINALLY.
I didnt have this with ELena, so we will see what the day brings.
Off to shower, get dressed, go to church, then go for a long walk and hope for the best! WISH ME LUCK and please pray that things progress sooner rather than later! :)
More updates to come. And watch this space for pictures as soon as she is delivered!
Monday, March 23, 2009
39 week appointment
:(
NO CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm still 2cm, still thick, and still my cervix is high. Anyone surprised? Me neither.
The midwife couldn't even strip my membranes because they are TOO HIGH for her short fingers. :)
It has been an emotional day for me and I cannot explain why completely. Part of me is sad I am not going early. Part of me is worried about the VBAC not being able to happen. Part of me is scared about labor and even the baby coming home. I just got hit with a flood of emotions in my appointment and couldn't stop crying! :) THankfully I was with my favorite midwife who was very reassuring and sweet about it all.
It turns out she is on call today, Wednesday then again this weekend. I had the dates wrong!! Then next week i have my 40th week appointment on Monday but I HOPE I DON'T MAKE IT THAT FAR!!!! *fingers xed*
One good thing that happened is that I got to see the little one since the midwife couldn't find her heartbeat. This girl wouldn't stay still!!!! She finally saw her on the u/s then was able to find her heartbeat. Oh my goodness, this girl is so active. she has been bouncing around ALLLLLL morning and my tummy is hurting. wish she'd take a nap or something!
Weird how she feels sooooooooooooo low like she is about to pop out but she ISN'T yet.
I started early labor ON MY due date last time and I am guessing its the same this time. With any luck this weekend I start my early labor *fingers xed* since my due date is Sunday!!!!!!
She said whatever I do don't lay off the EPO. Apparently it is better to keep it up than not to, so I am taking it. Hope along with me that things move by this weekend. I would rather not go past my due date and I would also rather NOT be delivered by one of the other midwives.
Glad I got my good cry in. I feel a little better. Hopefully, I can start doing the positive visualization. I need to be in a better state of mind! SOON!!
Keep me in your prayers! :)
NO CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm still 2cm, still thick, and still my cervix is high. Anyone surprised? Me neither.
The midwife couldn't even strip my membranes because they are TOO HIGH for her short fingers. :)
It has been an emotional day for me and I cannot explain why completely. Part of me is sad I am not going early. Part of me is worried about the VBAC not being able to happen. Part of me is scared about labor and even the baby coming home. I just got hit with a flood of emotions in my appointment and couldn't stop crying! :) THankfully I was with my favorite midwife who was very reassuring and sweet about it all.
It turns out she is on call today, Wednesday then again this weekend. I had the dates wrong!! Then next week i have my 40th week appointment on Monday but I HOPE I DON'T MAKE IT THAT FAR!!!! *fingers xed*
One good thing that happened is that I got to see the little one since the midwife couldn't find her heartbeat. This girl wouldn't stay still!!!! She finally saw her on the u/s then was able to find her heartbeat. Oh my goodness, this girl is so active. she has been bouncing around ALLLLLL morning and my tummy is hurting. wish she'd take a nap or something!
Weird how she feels sooooooooooooo low like she is about to pop out but she ISN'T yet.
I started early labor ON MY due date last time and I am guessing its the same this time. With any luck this weekend I start my early labor *fingers xed* since my due date is Sunday!!!!!!
She said whatever I do don't lay off the EPO. Apparently it is better to keep it up than not to, so I am taking it. Hope along with me that things move by this weekend. I would rather not go past my due date and I would also rather NOT be delivered by one of the other midwives.
Glad I got my good cry in. I feel a little better. Hopefully, I can start doing the positive visualization. I need to be in a better state of mind! SOON!!
Keep me in your prayers! :)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Bringing it on....
Or so I hope. Trying everything in the book (almost)!
Turns out my midwife is on call sat/Sunday, then next week on Wednesday and Friday. My due date is that weekend after Friday. I hope I go on one of those days!!! I really am hoping to get her, but if I don't go this weekend, I see her on Monday for my regular 39 week appt. At that point I will talk to her about having her possibly come in for me whenever it is that I go. That would relieve me from a lot of stress!!!
I am also wondering if this kid is going to take her time like her sister did. I didn't start early labor with Elena until my DUE DATE! If that is the case, this girl could leave me hanging another 10 days! :(
I don't want her out so much because I am ready to evict her. I actually feel fairly good all things considered. I just want to get the midwife I want. Not having her expand any more would be ideal as well. I'm actually surprised at how good I feel.
My ligaments are expanded beyond capacity and I feel huge, but I am sleeping decently (considering) and have been in more pain at different points throughout the pregnancy. The end is supposed to the be worst, but I am doing okay so far! YES walking hurts and YES I feel like my belly might sink between my legs at any given moment, but that is par for the course, no? There is a living, squirming, large little monkey growing in there!
Will be keeping this updated as things develop...or don't! :( PRAY FOR ME!!!
Picture of me yesterday.
More pics on my other blog.
:)
Turns out my midwife is on call sat/Sunday, then next week on Wednesday and Friday. My due date is that weekend after Friday. I hope I go on one of those days!!! I really am hoping to get her, but if I don't go this weekend, I see her on Monday for my regular 39 week appt. At that point I will talk to her about having her possibly come in for me whenever it is that I go. That would relieve me from a lot of stress!!!
I am also wondering if this kid is going to take her time like her sister did. I didn't start early labor with Elena until my DUE DATE! If that is the case, this girl could leave me hanging another 10 days! :(
I don't want her out so much because I am ready to evict her. I actually feel fairly good all things considered. I just want to get the midwife I want. Not having her expand any more would be ideal as well. I'm actually surprised at how good I feel.
My ligaments are expanded beyond capacity and I feel huge, but I am sleeping decently (considering) and have been in more pain at different points throughout the pregnancy. The end is supposed to the be worst, but I am doing okay so far! YES walking hurts and YES I feel like my belly might sink between my legs at any given moment, but that is par for the course, no? There is a living, squirming, large little monkey growing in there!
Will be keeping this updated as things develop...or don't! :( PRAY FOR ME!!!
Picture of me yesterday.
More pics on my other blog.
:)
Monday, March 16, 2009
14 days left...or less?
38 week appointment was today. It was a mix of emotions, but mostly good!
First they did an ultrasound which was had me excited and frightened. They estimate the baby's weight (on a static formula they plug my baby's info into) to be at 9 lbs 10 oz. I know this isn't true just based on the fact that the formula is flawed and didn't hold true for my last child. I do not deny that this is a large baby. I know I have those! But I don't think this kid is nearly 10 lbs with two more weeks to go!
(Image above not my child ;) but still cute!)
HOWEVER, I did see my child on the ultrasound and it was such an uplifting, happy moment. I don't remember feeling so moved before in previous ultrasounds of TWO kids! This child looks adorable and I cannot wait to see what she really looks like. What was so precious is that you saw her cheeks moving in utero as she was sucking on her fingers. you saw her eyes open and close and you saw her head move and her hands move as she adjusted herself. It was so surreal and beautiful. Her cheeks look so sweet and pinchable! Really chubby and cute!
I know that two of the three midwives are more clinical and one is worried about my baby's weight so I was a little worried about what they would say when they saw the information of the U/s at my regular appointment later that morning. It turns out I saw the MUCH more laid back midwife, who I really want to be the lady in the room with me when I deliver. She was wonderful and also believes the ultrasound is wrong based on her very firm probing of my belly. OUCH! She said it feels VERY long and thin (like her sister is) and that she expects her to probably weigh what Elena weighed. She also said even if it was right, based on my daughter's body type, our sizes, etc, she doesn't think it will be a problem. PLUS this kid's head is slightly smaller than her sister's was, which is more good news.
We are doing Evening Primrose Oil and today was my first vaginal check. She said I'm almost at 2 centimeters dilated and that if I go this coming weekend or the following weekend, SHE IS ON CALL! :) LOL I hope my child cooperates!!!!
I don't know who works during the week, but I certainly hope we have a chance at her being the person who comes in to help deliver this baby!
I gained one pound, which is weird since my last appointment was only five days ago, but with only two weeks to go and no weight gained in almost three months, I cannot complain.
I am really getting anxious and hope we don't have long to wait! I am ready for things to go down this weekend. I need a couple of days to relax after all the stress of the past few days, including today (see post on other blog tomorrow). After a few rest up days, I am ready to rock and roll! :)
BRING IT BABY!!!
I, however, have a feeling this kid is nice and cozy where she is. Looking at her face, you would think she was big and strong enough to come out YESTERDAY, but she's coming in her time. Maybe she's a procrastinator like her mommy (and her sister--who was three days late)!
LET US HOPE NOT!
:)
First they did an ultrasound which was had me excited and frightened. They estimate the baby's weight (on a static formula they plug my baby's info into) to be at 9 lbs 10 oz. I know this isn't true just based on the fact that the formula is flawed and didn't hold true for my last child. I do not deny that this is a large baby. I know I have those! But I don't think this kid is nearly 10 lbs with two more weeks to go!
(Image above not my child ;) but still cute!)
HOWEVER, I did see my child on the ultrasound and it was such an uplifting, happy moment. I don't remember feeling so moved before in previous ultrasounds of TWO kids! This child looks adorable and I cannot wait to see what she really looks like. What was so precious is that you saw her cheeks moving in utero as she was sucking on her fingers. you saw her eyes open and close and you saw her head move and her hands move as she adjusted herself. It was so surreal and beautiful. Her cheeks look so sweet and pinchable! Really chubby and cute!
I know that two of the three midwives are more clinical and one is worried about my baby's weight so I was a little worried about what they would say when they saw the information of the U/s at my regular appointment later that morning. It turns out I saw the MUCH more laid back midwife, who I really want to be the lady in the room with me when I deliver. She was wonderful and also believes the ultrasound is wrong based on her very firm probing of my belly. OUCH! She said it feels VERY long and thin (like her sister is) and that she expects her to probably weigh what Elena weighed. She also said even if it was right, based on my daughter's body type, our sizes, etc, she doesn't think it will be a problem. PLUS this kid's head is slightly smaller than her sister's was, which is more good news.
We are doing Evening Primrose Oil and today was my first vaginal check. She said I'm almost at 2 centimeters dilated and that if I go this coming weekend or the following weekend, SHE IS ON CALL! :) LOL I hope my child cooperates!!!!
I don't know who works during the week, but I certainly hope we have a chance at her being the person who comes in to help deliver this baby!
I gained one pound, which is weird since my last appointment was only five days ago, but with only two weeks to go and no weight gained in almost three months, I cannot complain.
I am really getting anxious and hope we don't have long to wait! I am ready for things to go down this weekend. I need a couple of days to relax after all the stress of the past few days, including today (see post on other blog tomorrow). After a few rest up days, I am ready to rock and roll! :)
BRING IT BABY!!!
I, however, have a feeling this kid is nice and cozy where she is. Looking at her face, you would think she was big and strong enough to come out YESTERDAY, but she's coming in her time. Maybe she's a procrastinator like her mommy (and her sister--who was three days late)!
LET US HOPE NOT!
:)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
37 week appointment Today!
WOOHOO no weight gain!
Measuring full term. (You are thinking "Duh!" if you saw my pictures! lol)
Have an upcoming appointment for Monday for an ultrasound where we will get a weight on the baby and they might stimulate things (stripping membranes I think).
17 days left until I'm due!
That is all! :)
Measuring full term. (You are thinking "Duh!" if you saw my pictures! lol)
Have an upcoming appointment for Monday for an ultrasound where we will get a weight on the baby and they might stimulate things (stripping membranes I think).
17 days left until I'm due!
That is all! :)
Monday, March 9, 2009
37 weeks
I hit that marker yesterday. I have an appointment Thursday and then the following week I get to see my baby again! I cannot wait to see her again! :)
In the meantime, I think my driving days are over for now. I have been feeling just too large and vulnerable so I have been arranging for rides most places. I think I may still drive here or there for a few things, but mostly I opt to avoid driving. Don't want to push my luck.
We are almost ready! I still need a few things but most are things you don't need on day one, so we can acquire a few things here and there as we go. I also received some gifts from friends who are out of town. I am opening them later this week in a little virtual shower we are having. Cannot wait to see what the little one got! :)
Nothing else huge going on here. I am just adjusting to the idea of the end and hoping for the best when we go to a family of three to four! As it approaches, it seems that one is getting harder and harder to deal with so the idea of two seems more and more daunting. :( I know its doable. I mean I don't have a choice at this point. LOL However, it is still a scary prospect!
In the meantime, I think my driving days are over for now. I have been feeling just too large and vulnerable so I have been arranging for rides most places. I think I may still drive here or there for a few things, but mostly I opt to avoid driving. Don't want to push my luck.
We are almost ready! I still need a few things but most are things you don't need on day one, so we can acquire a few things here and there as we go. I also received some gifts from friends who are out of town. I am opening them later this week in a little virtual shower we are having. Cannot wait to see what the little one got! :)
Nothing else huge going on here. I am just adjusting to the idea of the end and hoping for the best when we go to a family of three to four! As it approaches, it seems that one is getting harder and harder to deal with so the idea of two seems more and more daunting. :( I know its doable. I mean I don't have a choice at this point. LOL However, it is still a scary prospect!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
36.5 Weeks :) THE END IS Near!!!!
So I had my appointment today and it went well. I asked a ton of questions and I finally feel like the end is near!! Because of the pain I have been experiencing and sleeplessness, I found out I can take Tylenol pm which I didn't know. I am happy to hear it and HOPING it helps because not sleeping before getting an infant is the worst! :(
The midwife also said that she wants me to start evening primrose oil to help prep the cervix and get it softened and ready to go. This stimulates labor to some degree....so I'm starting that tomorrow when I am able to go buy some.
I am measuring full term now. I figured this because I knew my belly had grown. It has felt bigger and I have felt less mobile and more uncomfortable (putting it lightly). For the past few weeks I've been measuring 38 weeks and holding there for a while. So growth was bound to happen!
I also gained one pound, but all in all I cant complain because it has been over two months of NO weight gain so I can live with one pound! Especially at this point in the pregnancy when weight gain is usually rampant!
Yesterday I met with a girlfriend who took some pregnancy pictures for me since I cannot afford to go pay for maternity shots right now. She did a good job and now I have some keep sakes of my belly...which is huge. Don't freak, but it is a large round tummy!
Here are some of the shots:
I'm hoping to hold steady where I am for a while because I'm not sure how much more girth I can stand!
Keep me in your thoughts and thanks for looking! :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
** Almost MARCH!!! **
And what does that mean? It is almost FOUR WEEKS until this baby is due! :)
UPDATES:
My newest favorite thing: Any beverage from Sonic. Why? Because the ice is so delish there. It isn't really hard like regular ice so its easy to crunch and suck on and enjoy! Not sure why but that is REALLY hitting the spot these days! The ice from home just pales in comparison!
Elena had a corn dog from there the other day and I had a bite and LIKED IT! I have never liked corn dog in my LIFE. *That* is a very weird turn of events!
Another tid bit: I wasn't planning on it, but I ended up registering at Babies R Us for this upcoming baby's arrival. I am not having a baby shower, but people kept asking me if I was registered somewhere so I thought it wouldn't hurt to create a small registry. It is under my name and Josue's so it shouldn't be too hard to find (San Antonio, TX).
If you feel the desire to, feel free to purchase something off of it, if not, then just send money! ;) LOL Just kidding. Look out for a birth announcement to come in just ONE MONTH!!!
Since I didn't do a baby shower, I may have a get together if I feel up to it sometime after the baby arrives. That really depends on how the baby arrives, how I feel, how our place looks, etc. :) LOTS OF things up in the air at this point.
ALSO: I have been looking into pre-kindergarten schools for Elena. I am just frustrated because apparently I am way way behind schedule with this! Most had their registrations back in JANUARY! :( So I'm the slacker mom. I am on two waiting lists in town and I'm still looking. Trying to find something that works and that is affordable and that seems stimulating for her. I just think it will be important for her to have her space and time away from me and the baby, especially early on.
We will try to do one or two days a week at the Spanish Immersion program as well for summer. She has been going there over a year now and doing quite well! She has learned so much! If all else fails, we'll keep here there for her PreK year.
And if you read my other blog, you know about Elena's dental situation. :( It is a whole other kink I wasn't expecting that will hopefully be resolved soon.
There is actually more to tell but this is getting long, so I will be back soon with more!
Have a happy and safe Wednesday! :)
UPDATES:
My newest favorite thing: Any beverage from Sonic. Why? Because the ice is so delish there. It isn't really hard like regular ice so its easy to crunch and suck on and enjoy! Not sure why but that is REALLY hitting the spot these days! The ice from home just pales in comparison!
Elena had a corn dog from there the other day and I had a bite and LIKED IT! I have never liked corn dog in my LIFE. *That* is a very weird turn of events!
Another tid bit: I wasn't planning on it, but I ended up registering at Babies R Us for this upcoming baby's arrival. I am not having a baby shower, but people kept asking me if I was registered somewhere so I thought it wouldn't hurt to create a small registry. It is under my name and Josue's so it shouldn't be too hard to find (San Antonio, TX).
If you feel the desire to, feel free to purchase something off of it, if not, then just send money! ;) LOL Just kidding. Look out for a birth announcement to come in just ONE MONTH!!!
Since I didn't do a baby shower, I may have a get together if I feel up to it sometime after the baby arrives. That really depends on how the baby arrives, how I feel, how our place looks, etc. :) LOTS OF things up in the air at this point.
ALSO: I have been looking into pre-kindergarten schools for Elena. I am just frustrated because apparently I am way way behind schedule with this! Most had their registrations back in JANUARY! :( So I'm the slacker mom. I am on two waiting lists in town and I'm still looking. Trying to find something that works and that is affordable and that seems stimulating for her. I just think it will be important for her to have her space and time away from me and the baby, especially early on.
We will try to do one or two days a week at the Spanish Immersion program as well for summer. She has been going there over a year now and doing quite well! She has learned so much! If all else fails, we'll keep here there for her PreK year.
And if you read my other blog, you know about Elena's dental situation. :( It is a whole other kink I wasn't expecting that will hopefully be resolved soon.
There is actually more to tell but this is getting long, so I will be back soon with more!
Have a happy and safe Wednesday! :)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thirty Five weeks Minus two days! :)
Only five more weeks to go! This is happening quickly!!!!
We had the 34 week appointment earlier this week and it was pretty uneventful. Pee in a cup, get measured, weighed, poked at a bit, groped and listen to the heartbeat. The baby sounds good and is not as huge as they were expecting.
The midwife can feel around my belly and tell where different body parts are. The baby is head down and apparently low down ready to rock n roll!:) We have five weeks yet to go, so she can still change her mind about her position, but i hope she doesn't!
It was another visit without a weight gain too! THIS IS AMAZING! In my first pregnancy I gained ALL MY WEIGHT in the last three months or so. This time, I haven't gained anything yet in this time period! Funny how different things can be! I haven't gained in two months thus far and with one to go, I am hopeful that the weight gain will be minimized. So far its 30lbs and that is less than last go round and while not ideal, DEFINITELY good! :)
I am going to the hospital website in a few to preregister since apparently I was supposed to do that by now. I didn't think of it for some reason and so I need to get that done ASAP. Packing a bag might be a good thing to do soon too. I should make a list of things to do so that i stop forgetting them!
Pregnancy really does suck out your brain. I was a forgetful person before my pregnancies, but it seems to worsen during pregnancies.
I'll post another picture soon!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Hospital Tour
We finally were able to make it for a hospital tour night before last. It was interesting and really made me realize how CLOSE this is becoming. VERY SOON we'll have our family expanded by one.
The tour included a look at Labor & Delivery rooms and the rooms you stay in after the work is done. The L&D rooms were awesome. Really big and nice. The rooms you spend MOST of your time in were tiny though! I guess it doesn't matter really since I won't be there long.
However, for a measly $300 dollars extra, per night, I could stay in a VIP room. These rooms are much nicer. They are roomier, include fridges and a living area separate from the rest area. Both areas have flat-screen televisions as well. However, this extra money is not covered by insurance, so it has to come out of OUR pockets. I cannot imagine paying that extra money. If I had a fairy god mother, I'd request the upgrade! :)
Our favorite stop was the nursery! ADORABLE little children were in there. They were very small and just looked so sweet. Elena was oohing and ahhing over them too and says she's ready for her sister to come. I know her heart is in the right place, but we'll see how she really reacts once it all sets in and she's stuck with a sibling that is loud and time consuming.
All in all the tour was informative and helped me realize how close we are to this new reality. TIME TO PANIC! :)
I am very excited to meet my little one, but I'm going to miss carrying her around, even though it is tiring and painful at times. I will also remember fondly the time before the baby joined the mix--our times as a threesome.
I feel quite unready and I am trying to get ready in the next two or so weeks. I am still taking inventory of what we have and what we need and when we have to acquire the things we need in order to spread out the costs involved.
Slowly but surely, things will come together though, I am sure!
;)
The tour included a look at Labor & Delivery rooms and the rooms you stay in after the work is done. The L&D rooms were awesome. Really big and nice. The rooms you spend MOST of your time in were tiny though! I guess it doesn't matter really since I won't be there long.
However, for a measly $300 dollars extra, per night, I could stay in a VIP room. These rooms are much nicer. They are roomier, include fridges and a living area separate from the rest area. Both areas have flat-screen televisions as well. However, this extra money is not covered by insurance, so it has to come out of OUR pockets. I cannot imagine paying that extra money. If I had a fairy god mother, I'd request the upgrade! :)
Our favorite stop was the nursery! ADORABLE little children were in there. They were very small and just looked so sweet. Elena was oohing and ahhing over them too and says she's ready for her sister to come. I know her heart is in the right place, but we'll see how she really reacts once it all sets in and she's stuck with a sibling that is loud and time consuming.
All in all the tour was informative and helped me realize how close we are to this new reality. TIME TO PANIC! :)
I am very excited to meet my little one, but I'm going to miss carrying her around, even though it is tiring and painful at times. I will also remember fondly the time before the baby joined the mix--our times as a threesome.
I feel quite unready and I am trying to get ready in the next two or so weeks. I am still taking inventory of what we have and what we need and when we have to acquire the things we need in order to spread out the costs involved.
Slowly but surely, things will come together though, I am sure!
;)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
TWO MONTHS TO GO AND COUNTING!!!!
Holy moly! It is already February and I am due in less than eight weeks! :)
I had an appointment yesterday--my 32 week appointment. It went well. The midwife measured me and we talked some and heard the heartbeat. These are mostly routine visits where not a lot happens. The biggest issue is seeing scale and what it has to say. ALWAYS so much stress in that part of the visit! :)
It has been good news for me thus far, however. I have been holding steady for over a month now, with no weight gain. This is harder to do toward the end, because the babies gain 1/3 of their entire weight in the last trimester and the blood supply grows as well. All of this equals WEIGHT gain for mama. I am hoping the last few visits aren't too bad, however. I want to be able to keep this trend going of no weight gain, but its not very likely!
I have had a little relief from my SPD with the chiro visits and by following all the "rules" for keeping your legs together and sitting correctly, etc. It isn't easy to do it and remember it all the time, but I do see that its making a difference and making my last few weeks more tolerable. ANY bit of relief is huge!
Given that most babies weigh 3.75 pounds during this week and are about 16.7 inches long, my guess is that my "little" pumpkin is a big bigger. I've consistently been running big and she was estimated at 28 weeks to weigh a pound more than average, so I'm guessing she's closer to five pounds by now.
This makes sense since they say that they gain about a third of their weight in the last 8 weeks. Given that my daughter was over nine pounds at birth, I fully expect this child to be around the same weight. They say that second babies run larger, so this child may outweigh my last by an ounce or two. That is my guess anyway! :)
Elena was 9lbs 6oz at birth and 21 1/2 inches long. Want to take a guess as to the weight and height on this second child?
This could be interesting! :)
Monday, January 26, 2009
31 weeks and one day! :)
Time is flying!
I had to post again because today I am wearing a tight shirt. I was desperate and there was so little available at target that was NOT winter! HELLO! It is Texas and we have had some WARM weather off and on with the "chillier" temperatures. I only have winter maternity clothes!
Here I am today:
I went to the chiropractor this weekend and it seems to have helped ever so slightly. I notice that the pain isn't as bad early in the morning. I left feeling fine but in about 30 minutes I was back to where I was before the appointment. So its taken the edge off, but this is really still difficult to deal with. I am doing okay otherwise!
This week my big girl has her birthday festivities! I'm excited that she's bigger and stronger and happy and almost FOUR YEARS OLD! It should be an exciting week if I can manage to keep my house clean! :) That is a serious struggle since I'm moving much slower and NOT bending over anymore! ;) LOL
Thank God for my little helper! She's closer to the ground and really has been a big help during the pregnancy, especially now as I'm getting slower and bigger. Thank goodness for my munchkin!
I had to post again because today I am wearing a tight shirt. I was desperate and there was so little available at target that was NOT winter! HELLO! It is Texas and we have had some WARM weather off and on with the "chillier" temperatures. I only have winter maternity clothes!
Here I am today:
I went to the chiropractor this weekend and it seems to have helped ever so slightly. I notice that the pain isn't as bad early in the morning. I left feeling fine but in about 30 minutes I was back to where I was before the appointment. So its taken the edge off, but this is really still difficult to deal with. I am doing okay otherwise!
This week my big girl has her birthday festivities! I'm excited that she's bigger and stronger and happy and almost FOUR YEARS OLD! It should be an exciting week if I can manage to keep my house clean! :) That is a serious struggle since I'm moving much slower and NOT bending over anymore! ;) LOL
Thank God for my little helper! She's closer to the ground and really has been a big help during the pregnancy, especially now as I'm getting slower and bigger. Thank goodness for my munchkin!
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