My bestie started a parenting blog! You should check it out! She has her PhD so she knows what she is talking about.
Avant Garde Parenting
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Pups!
One question we have been asked repeatedly is how the dogs are adjusting. We brought P home at around 1:00AM after he was born and needless the say, the dogs were a bit confused...
"Where have you been?"
"Why did Grammy and Grumps feed us and why was it so late?" and
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT NOISE?"
Bubba was immediately curious and wanted to sniff, sniff, sniff. I figured this would be the case because he is our protector and every other child that has been in our house, he has been fascinated with and immediately goes for a big mouth kiss!
Vegas (the princess) was confused, annoyed, and just barked every time P made a noise. This was difficult at 1:00AM after being tired, sore, and overwhelmed. It was stressful and I was scared.
Bailey was scared to death. She had no idea what this thing was and why it was here. Get it away.
Six and a half weeks later however....Bubba is still just as curious and is thrilled that I will actually let him kiss P's tiny little fingers. Yes I let him...don't judge! Vegas has actually come to terms with P's existence and she actually sniffs him and kisses him and doesn't bark when he cries anymore...thank God. Bailey is coming around. She still jumps when I put P near her BUT she is a lot more curious and willing to give him a sniff and occasional kiss on the ear. She is coming around.
They still bark just as loud as they did when I was pregnant. They still go C-R-A-Z-Y when people come over and P isn't even phased. We are turning into one big happy family!
Happy Life!
"Where have you been?"
"Why did Grammy and Grumps feed us and why was it so late?" and
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT NOISE?"
Bubba was immediately curious and wanted to sniff, sniff, sniff. I figured this would be the case because he is our protector and every other child that has been in our house, he has been fascinated with and immediately goes for a big mouth kiss!
Vegas (the princess) was confused, annoyed, and just barked every time P made a noise. This was difficult at 1:00AM after being tired, sore, and overwhelmed. It was stressful and I was scared.
Bailey was scared to death. She had no idea what this thing was and why it was here. Get it away.
Six and a half weeks later however....Bubba is still just as curious and is thrilled that I will actually let him kiss P's tiny little fingers. Yes I let him...don't judge! Vegas has actually come to terms with P's existence and she actually sniffs him and kisses him and doesn't bark when he cries anymore...thank God. Bailey is coming around. She still jumps when I put P near her BUT she is a lot more curious and willing to give him a sniff and occasional kiss on the ear. She is coming around.
They still bark just as loud as they did when I was pregnant. They still go C-R-A-Z-Y when people come over and P isn't even phased. We are turning into one big happy family!
Happy Life!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Random Thoughts
I'm back! I apologize for my absence, it's not like I haven't had things to share...just finding the time to share them!
Things are going well...we are slowly but surely figuring each other out. Parenthood is definitely an adjustment and a lot to learn. Totally worth it but at times extremely overwhelming.
The first week or so were extremely emotional for me. I had been warned of and heard about the "baby blues" but never really knew what people were talking about. Well now I do. I cried A LOT that first week or two. For no reason in particular, just when reading P a story (yes I was attempting to read to a newborn...I know), listening to a classical song on my iPod, or even when coming home from Target (yes I actually left the house when he was a newborn...I was stir crazy) and seeing a little boy playing in the park. Hubby would walk into the bathroom and find me sobbing, and all he could do was laugh. Not laugh at me, but just laugh at the hormones. It was helpful as I attempted to do the same.
P and I also struggled with feeding in the beginning. Things were going well enough for us to leave the birth center with no issues but once my milk came in...it was all down hill. On day five after a few awful days that involved 90 minute feedings, him crying, me crying, etc...we finally went and visited with a lactation consultant. She was an angel with bad teeth (sorry...I know that mean but they were!)! She fixed our issues within 5 minutes of being there and P and I have never looked back! Those struggles didn't help with the emotional turmoil I was in. When you are already feeling overwhelmed, stressed about how to actually BE a mother, and then you can't feed your child...it was a lot to take in. BUT we got help and are doing good! (Moral of the story here...don't be afraid to ask for help and listen to everyone when they say to give breastfeeding at least 2 weeks. It is the hardest job EVER but if you get things working right, it will pay off!)
Then there is the sleeping. We all know about those struggles. As of now...we are getting there. We are taking each day at a time and Hubby and I are figuring out that P likes to fill his belly before bed. Last night he ate roughly 8+ oz! Yes...our SIX WEEK OLD! Wild. He is apparently going to take after his parents in the love for food/appetite department!
Then there is the whole..."WHO THE HELL IS THIS PERSON?!" thing. I "knew" him in my belly. I knew he liked to kick me on my left side. I knew he had the hiccups ALL THE TIME. I knew that he tended to be active during the day and sleep at night. I knew that he was an awesome baby that led to an awesome pregnancy. But now that he is out, I have to get to know him without being able to communicate with him. It is hard but gives me a whole new understanding for unconditional love.
Regardless of the struggles, when I look at him, I just cant believe he is here. It is nothing short of WILD. I prayed and wished and hoped for a baby for so long and now he is here and he is perfect. I worried and stressed about not being able to get pregnant or something happening during my pregnancy but he is here. I don't know how people could continue to doubt the existence of God after this experience. It really is a miraculous process and I cant imagine going through it with anyone else.
Happy Baby!
Things are going well...we are slowly but surely figuring each other out. Parenthood is definitely an adjustment and a lot to learn. Totally worth it but at times extremely overwhelming.
The first week or so were extremely emotional for me. I had been warned of and heard about the "baby blues" but never really knew what people were talking about. Well now I do. I cried A LOT that first week or two. For no reason in particular, just when reading P a story (yes I was attempting to read to a newborn...I know), listening to a classical song on my iPod, or even when coming home from Target (yes I actually left the house when he was a newborn...I was stir crazy) and seeing a little boy playing in the park. Hubby would walk into the bathroom and find me sobbing, and all he could do was laugh. Not laugh at me, but just laugh at the hormones. It was helpful as I attempted to do the same.
P and I also struggled with feeding in the beginning. Things were going well enough for us to leave the birth center with no issues but once my milk came in...it was all down hill. On day five after a few awful days that involved 90 minute feedings, him crying, me crying, etc...we finally went and visited with a lactation consultant. She was an angel with bad teeth (sorry...I know that mean but they were!)! She fixed our issues within 5 minutes of being there and P and I have never looked back! Those struggles didn't help with the emotional turmoil I was in. When you are already feeling overwhelmed, stressed about how to actually BE a mother, and then you can't feed your child...it was a lot to take in. BUT we got help and are doing good! (Moral of the story here...don't be afraid to ask for help and listen to everyone when they say to give breastfeeding at least 2 weeks. It is the hardest job EVER but if you get things working right, it will pay off!)
Then there is the sleeping. We all know about those struggles. As of now...we are getting there. We are taking each day at a time and Hubby and I are figuring out that P likes to fill his belly before bed. Last night he ate roughly 8+ oz! Yes...our SIX WEEK OLD! Wild. He is apparently going to take after his parents in the love for food/appetite department!
Then there is the whole..."WHO THE HELL IS THIS PERSON?!" thing. I "knew" him in my belly. I knew he liked to kick me on my left side. I knew he had the hiccups ALL THE TIME. I knew that he tended to be active during the day and sleep at night. I knew that he was an awesome baby that led to an awesome pregnancy. But now that he is out, I have to get to know him without being able to communicate with him. It is hard but gives me a whole new understanding for unconditional love.
Regardless of the struggles, when I look at him, I just cant believe he is here. It is nothing short of WILD. I prayed and wished and hoped for a baby for so long and now he is here and he is perfect. I worried and stressed about not being able to get pregnant or something happening during my pregnancy but he is here. I don't know how people could continue to doubt the existence of God after this experience. It really is a miraculous process and I cant imagine going through it with anyone else.
Happy Baby!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
First Bath
At the birth center, Daddy gives the first bath.
It was too cute not to share.
Happy Baby!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Our Birth Story (Part Three)
Okay...I can do this, right? I am about to give birth...with no drugs...holy smokes. Cherie and Beverly continued to check the baby's heart rate and after a few rounds of pushing, said that his heart rate was dropping and I needed to push to get this baby out. This part was exhausting. I would push when they told me, breath when they said to, and just tried with everything I could to get our baby out. It was hard, I remember telling them when I felt the burning that everyone warned about. He was coming, whether we liked it or not. I continued to push with each contraction and suddenly they said the head was out! With one more push, Cherie suddenly flopped this HUGE baby on my stomach. OH MY GOD! I didn't cry, I didn't yell, I was just in shock. I looked at Hubby and just kept saying "oh my God", "oh my God", "oh my God". I couldn't believe I did it and I couldn't believe that baby was inside me! I couldn't believe he was finally out! WOW!
He didn't cry immediately, that made me nervous. After cutting the cord, they took him to the warmer where he pooped about a pound and half of stuff and then started crying. It was an amazing sound. I couldn't believe that I just did it. All of my fears melted away and it was done. He was here. It was amazing.
Then they had to push on my stomach, not 100% sure why, and that hurt quite a bit. Then came the placenta...wow that was amazing and HUGE...and then more pushing on my stomach. OUCH! And then...I got to hold our baby.
He was here. He was safe. He was perfect.
8 pounds and 20 inches of perfection. We were immediately smitten.
Happy Baby!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Our Birth Story (Part Two)
If you haven't read part one already...please catch up, I'll wait...we don't need anyone being lost.
So after I was checked for dilation, I got changed and continued to breath through each contraction. They were coming often and getting stronger. Cherie our midwife soon arrived, assessed the situation, and checked me out. She also noted that we were going to have a baby sooner than later and made sure that everyone was ready. Beverly continued to get the room ready, making sure I was as comfortable as possible, and made me drink lots and lots of orange juice. As the contractions continued, it started to get warm and I suddenly wished it wasn't June and 100 degrees outside. I continued to labor in multiple places, trying to find the most comfortable position to be in (which turned out to be on the toilet...sexy and whimsical, I know). Hubby and my mom were there every step of the way, encouraging and motivating and making sure I was okay. Around 5:00PM the contractions started to get REALLY rough and felt like they were right on top of each other. I moaned, and groaned, and occasionally screamed-ish...but made it through each one. Once each contraction had passed, I remember thinking "man I need to quiet down, I am going to scare any women who are just here for their appointments!".
Towards the end, there was a moment that I wasn't sure I could do it. I leaned into Shawn, whimpering that I couldn't do it. He assured me that I could, and frankly hello...I was going to have to! That baby had to get out of there somehow! I knew these feelings were a good sign though...they meant the end was near!
At 5:20PM, Cherie checked and said I was dilated to a 10 and that this baby was ready. I got nervous. I wasn't sure I knew what to do. I begged her not to leave...not sure where I thought she was going to go...and told her that I needed her help. She assured me that she would be there and then said that it was time for her to break my water. Splash! The contractions continued. Cherie told me that I needed to push a little bit to get the baby down. I struggled to figure out where I needed to push from. I know that sounds weird but I just couldn't quite get the hang of it. Once I realized that you really do just use the same muscles as when youpoop...use the restroom, we were good to go. This is also when I tossed my cookies. Apparently a lot of women do it, and when it happened Cherie told my mom and Hubby that that was a good sign and the baby was almost here. I realized then that while this was a "beautiful process", I probably looked absolutely TERRIBLE! On the toilet, throwing up. SEXY! Hope baby didn't mind.
I was told that I needed to move on to the bed. The thought of moving and leaving my comfortable toilet sounded terrible but I figured they probably knew what was best and frankly I didn't want the baby coming out IN the toilet. I shuffled into the bedroom, laid down with Hubby sitting up by my head and my mom standing by my side. Cherie got her apron on, Beverly was at the ready, and they said it was time to start pushing...holy crap...this was it.
To be continued.
So after I was checked for dilation, I got changed and continued to breath through each contraction. They were coming often and getting stronger. Cherie our midwife soon arrived, assessed the situation, and checked me out. She also noted that we were going to have a baby sooner than later and made sure that everyone was ready. Beverly continued to get the room ready, making sure I was as comfortable as possible, and made me drink lots and lots of orange juice. As the contractions continued, it started to get warm and I suddenly wished it wasn't June and 100 degrees outside. I continued to labor in multiple places, trying to find the most comfortable position to be in (which turned out to be on the toilet...sexy and whimsical, I know). Hubby and my mom were there every step of the way, encouraging and motivating and making sure I was okay. Around 5:00PM the contractions started to get REALLY rough and felt like they were right on top of each other. I moaned, and groaned, and occasionally screamed-ish...but made it through each one. Once each contraction had passed, I remember thinking "man I need to quiet down, I am going to scare any women who are just here for their appointments!".
Towards the end, there was a moment that I wasn't sure I could do it. I leaned into Shawn, whimpering that I couldn't do it. He assured me that I could, and frankly hello...I was going to have to! That baby had to get out of there somehow! I knew these feelings were a good sign though...they meant the end was near!
At 5:20PM, Cherie checked and said I was dilated to a 10 and that this baby was ready. I got nervous. I wasn't sure I knew what to do. I begged her not to leave...not sure where I thought she was going to go...and told her that I needed her help. She assured me that she would be there and then said that it was time for her to break my water. Splash! The contractions continued. Cherie told me that I needed to push a little bit to get the baby down. I struggled to figure out where I needed to push from. I know that sounds weird but I just couldn't quite get the hang of it. Once I realized that you really do just use the same muscles as when you
I was told that I needed to move on to the bed. The thought of moving and leaving my comfortable toilet sounded terrible but I figured they probably knew what was best and frankly I didn't want the baby coming out IN the toilet. I shuffled into the bedroom, laid down with Hubby sitting up by my head and my mom standing by my side. Cherie got her apron on, Beverly was at the ready, and they said it was time to start pushing...holy crap...this was it.
To be continued.
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