Kt'z Kurveball

UNsupervised

2011-08-17T01:54:00.000-07:00

This one loves to cause mischief. Primarily, deliberately pouring cups of water on the floor (thank goodness it's wood!), scribbling on walls, tossing toys behind the couch or down into the heater and painting his toenails--yes with nail polish. Of course this always happens in the blink of an eye, often while I am standing *right next to him*. Other times, it's obvious he is not being properly supervised. Pure selfishness on my part.

I need to train him better. No, I need to train *me* better, I think. I'd like to figure out how to get him to slow down and sit still. He's so active....it's tiring. Really tiring.

I love him to pieces and bunches and every time I look at him I am over whelmed with love and joy...but he sure does wear me out & keep me on my toes. There's no letting my guard down w/ this little fella....ever, apparently.

Chocolate ice cream facial hair!

This kid!

2011-03-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

IS hilarious! In less than 2 weeks he is going to be 2 YEARS OLD! I can't believe it but it's true!

He is the biggest HAM of all. Today he RAN into the middle of the street (yah, more training is definitely in order!). I brought him right in, w/ my heart about to beat right out of my chest--in fear, & gave him a good swat on his tushie--he pretended to cry a bit until I told him he could NOT go back outside, then broke into hysterics! (eyeroll) See what I mean?

I knew he needed to go outside though. He really should be outside running around at least once a day. SO I took him out & chased him and had him chase me and Birdy to make sure he used those large muscle groups and all that toddler energy. As soon as he stopped crying about not going outside, he calmly SAT on the couch very nicely. Something he rarely does: sit! But it proved to me how much he needed that run around time.

He actually loves to "perform", much more than his siblings ever did at his age. And he's certainly NOT shy. oh no--not this one. I didn't even have to convince him of this like the others either. ;-)

He's been climbing OUT of his bed every night, numerous times. I don't know what happened to that sleep-trained toddler I used to have. I think it might be time to move him into a big boy bed soon.....and into his siblings room.

He such a doll baby! I look at him and can't help but be filled with JOY in my heart. I simply CAN'T imagine my life with out him in it. I don't know what we're going to do for his birthday...maybe I should just turn on the music and let him have the stage.

potty training toddlers

2011-01-23T22:49:00.000-08:00

Perhaps this is common? I've never run into it before. This brilliant little toddler of mine, has the power to need to use the restroom, every.5.minutes! Seriously. This does not happen at home, of course.

But this happened today, both times we were at church, morning and evening. Apparently he was bored or had had enough and simply wanted to go for a walk. So he says he needs to go...even though I took him as soon as we arrived. But who's gonna doubt a toilet training toddler, right?

So I take him again--calling his bluff--and sure enough he goes...just afew drops, but he goes. Five minutes later, same thing. Then all the children go outside for their lessons and he's fine.

Tonight at church I think we had to take him at least 4x if not 5! So I don't know if he rationing his output (lol) so he can go back if he wants, or WHAT!

Officially potty training

2011-01-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well, I'd had it with diapers! My washer broke so I could not wash the cloth as I like. I didn't want to spend $$$ on disposables anymore, plus they were giving him a rash AND he was regressing with the EC.

So I decided to be brave and dive right in to "diaper free". No turning back! Good thing we have wood floors. It took a few days for him to get back into the swing of things as far as EC, recognizing and being aware of his body again.

Then it took a few more days for me to balance my expectations with his level of comprehension about the whole process. He simply did not want to *stop* and go potty...he wanted to keep playing or doing whatever *he* wanted to do.

Now we are on a pretty good track. It's just like EC mainly. I keep at him to go on the potty...often! Accidents usually only happen if he is not being watched properly. Basically we continue on like EC...take him potty upon waking, before we leave, when we arrive somewhere and then whenever we think about it.

I never believed you truly could potty train one so young. I do believe cloth diapers help and the EC--of course! But to see his actual comprehension of it--is VERY exciting to me. I feel so much more competent as a mother to realize how much we underestimate our little ones. He's not even 2 yet! Although it is right around the corner. whew!

training

2010-11-07T11:17:00.000-08:00

K is 19 mos old and it's always bitter sweet to watch them grow. One thing that I think I am doing differently with him than I did with the others is really including him in our daily chores. He can follow simple commands now and one day I realized he understood what the trash was.....I was waiting for a fresh cloth diaper order to arrive and was using disposables for the mean time. (ugh! gross!!!) After I changed his diaper, before I could get to it, he picked up the used diaper & proceeded to take it to the trash with out me ever saying anything.

We were all so surprised. From that moment on I knew I did not want to miss that training opportunity. Whenever we are cleaning, I make sure he is included. I have the other children be sure to give him *trash* to throw away. We've even upped the ante by teaching him the difference between the *trash* & the *recycle bin*. (most of our paper trash can actually go into the recycle bin) Of course every completed task is followed by comments of what a great helper & smart boy he is.

You would think, this being my 4th, this would not surprise me, right? I think I was in a foggy haze with #2 &3. LOL I am definitely stepping up the chore training with this one. I missed the boat on some things w/ the others but I have learned my lesson. It's all done cheerfully too.

16 months!

2010-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

And K has already traveled the country. He was so good. As long as I made sure to give him ample opportunity to stretch his legs, he was great.

He LOVES and I mean LOVES to be outside. If he doesn't get to go outside, he gets fussy. He will be in the house playing but it's obvious he is bored and will begin to get fussy for no apparent reason. Then I let him outside and he is so calm.

Sometimes now he even points to his stroller and makes it obvious he wants us to put him in it.

last week I began to actually take a walk with him around the block. I have to walk really slow and he wants to walk up to every neighbors porch...for some reason. I am trying to train him to stay on the sidewalk at least. he aslo wants to walk on the short brick fences...which is interesting because I LOVE walking on curbs. He seems too young to have notices so I wonder if it is just a natural affinity he has for it or what. LOL

Sometimes he will see something on the ground that interests him will bend down to grab it and then plunk himself right down on the sidewalk to examine it. I have introduced him to the joy and sensation of crunching leaves while you walk. He really likes that.

I got him the most darling rocking horse (in mint condition) last month from the thrift store. He loves it except he's such a daredevil. I have to constantly make sure he doesn't stand up on it. He tempts fate by rocking on it with his feet up near the handles.

He is growing up so incredibly fast...well no maybe not, it's the normal rate...one day at a time. ;-) He has a mouthful of teeth though. None of the other children had that many teeth at that age. It's such a joy watching him discover new things. That's why I can tolerate taking 33 minutes to walk around our .2 mi block! Seriously. That was after I carried him 3/4 of the way home because he would not hold my hand and stay off neighbors lawns. haha! 8-D

15 months old!

2010-07-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I was *forced* to cut his curls last week. FORCED, I tell ya! Boohoo, wahwahwah!

DH felt it was time....he looks SO different now. Very round faced. haha.

A recent EC development....last week or so he began to *initiate* and tell me when he had to *go*. I didn't even believe him at first but it was true. I was so amazed and so excited. Things have slowed down a bit now, on that end. I think it's simply because he does not want to stop exploring and running and getting into mischief.

I found the cutest white rocking horse at the thrift store the other day. He really likes it except he keeps trying STAND on it. Yes, he's one of *those* children. sigh. If he can't stand on it, because I am on him like a hawk!, he sits on it with his feet all the way up on the handles. No really, he really does this.

Last week he was getting into so much mischief, doing things he hadn't done in months because he KNOWS he is not supposed too...like messing w/ the dog's food.

I trained him not to touch the dog's food bowl or to eat the dog's food. (gross, I know!) Well, last week he kept going into the kitchen and turning the entire bowl over, spilling the dogs water all over the floor. sigh. again. He really keeps me on my toes. I can't turn my back for even a moment. It's tiring but a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do.

Every time I turn around he's got a marker in his mouth and is writing all over himself. I don't know whether to be upset w/ my olders for leaving markers out or myself for him getting them so quickly. I can't rest w/ him at all. It's a good thing is is so stinking CUTE! ;-)

I don't even believe in the terrible twos but if I did...I'd say he's started them, @ 15 mos.

O this lil' fella!

2010-06-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

He has been waking up EARLY!!! Like 6:30am-I'm-not-exaggerating-early! I really think it's another new tooth, but you just never really know. He's been running a bit of a fever today & whiny. He's not usually whiny.

Last two nights when I put him to bed, he woke up about an hour later. Frustrating for sure. Last night he did not even want to go to bed...he cried A LOT which is totally unusual behavior for him.

He's been chewing on his fingers and this morning he didn't want to eat a thing! Nothing! He cried when I put him in his seat. Poor guy. He wont let me look into his mouth but I think I saw the pointer teeth buds on one gum. My poor guy. :(

20lbs!

2010-05-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

K had a check up today. He weighed 20lb 14 oz actually but they kept his diaper on this time, so I say 20lbs. lol It took forever for some reason. We waited a very long time, which is unusual. And then we had to go to the lab to take a mandatory blood test to check for lead.

He only received 3 shots. Yes, I know about vaccinations and the risks. I did discuss it w/ his pediatrician--whom I really adore. He was understanding. I do get my chillers vaccinated but later than recommended and I am comfortable with that. He was 'behind'---as planned & would have received 8 vaccinations today. I asked the doc if we could cut that & he immediately agreed. He recommended he only get the 'new' shots he hadn't received yet & wait on the 'boosters'. That would bring today's total to only 3 shots. I was comfortable with that.

I was uncomfortable having him get the chicken pox vaccine....& discussed it w/ him but he made me feel more comfortable about it so I agreed. Perhaps I should have been stronger about declining....{sigh} It's hard making these decisions, as a parent.

Poor little guy---it's sad when they get shots & they are crying so hard. I wish they would just let you hold the babies and nurse them while they get the shots...or at least home them in your lap so they can easily nurse right after. Later, after waiting forever in the lab....they needed to draw blood and I think he was actually *scared*. When the tech put that rubber strip on his arm he immediately started crying so hard and he was all red and *shaking*. I felt so bad because that made me think he was scared. He calmed down during the process--she needed 2 vials but when she replaced the 2nd vial he began crying again. It probably didn't help that she stuck the needle in and nothing came out & she had to keep moving it around--I can only imagine how that must've felt. arg.

He doesn't appear to be permanently scarred or anything now though. ;-)

He got his first flu bug last week. He was asleep then suddenly began vomiting in his bed. I think he would have went right back to sleep, had i not got him up. We showered him off and then put him in my bed to nurse...after rolling back and forth a few times (like always) he vomited again. Then he went right back to sleep. He was fine the next day as if nothing ever happen. It went through everyone else in the family but he seemed the least affected.

Thank goodness for strong baby immunities. ;-)

CIO isn't SO bad...right?

2010-04-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

That means 'Cry (or crying) It Out'. I am normally so *not* a CIO parent. I'm usually more of an AP (that means Attachment Parenting) style of parent. Baby K is getting harder & harder to get to sleep....he nurses, pulls off, nurses, pulls off, rolls around, flips over, fusses....until eventually he falls asleep, with me by his side. It's obvious he's tired but he doesn't seem to be able to fall asleep.

SO tonight, I put him in his bed and decided to let him CIO for a little while. I did feel a little bad but @ the same time I felt he was old enough now, at 1 yo to be ok--or @ least not *permanently* damaged from it, right? It was only 10 minutes before he was out.

I tried it a little the other night but daddy came in soon to 'rescue' him. Daddy is not here tonight. I think I will go lay down and read now. I wonder what tomorrow night will bring?

ONE!!!

2010-04-05T23:35:00.000-07:00

Today is K's FIRST birthday! I can't believe it. I know all mothers say how quickly the time flies--but it doesn't even *feel* like it's been a YEAR already. Maybe it will at his party on Saturday. The theme is frog prince with blue and green colors. I am excited for the decorations I am making.

We went to Rain Forest Cafe to celebrate. He was a bit scared of the big gorilla they have and the rain storm sounds and effects in the restaurant. Afterward we went to Build-A-Bear and let him choose a bear. He was so sweet, cuddling it. I didn't think he would even care but he seemed too.

He has 4 molars growing in that I can see. He won't really let me look too much but I saw them. Still 4 across the top and the saem 3 across the bottom. Last month (or so) he fell and busted and bruised the inside of his lip a bit and I *think* it made one of his bottom teeth crooked. I'm not exactly sure but it is crooked now and I had not noticed it being crooked before. {sigh} Good thing it's just a baby tooth.

what a sweetie!

2010-03-14T00:06:00.000-08:00

Baby K has a new sweet little habit.

He knows how to make kissing sounds. He sucks his lips in on the sides, like a fish face and produces that kiss sound. Well, the other day, daddy was walkin gby & gave me a kiss on the back of my neck as he passed. I wouldn't have really noticed that it made the 'smacking' sound kisses make when he did it except from teh floor i hear K making the sound.

Then another time when daddy was leaving he kissed me goodbye and again Baby K noticed and imitated, again making his own kissing noises.

How cute is that?

I am so touched that love and affection are what he sees and imitates. Makes me want to fill my home even more with acts of love like kisses!!!

Oh! and he has a new tooth too! He won't really let me check his mouth anymore but I finally saw it. It's a molar too, up top. The one right past the eye tooth space. I guess they get the fangs after the molar?

I can't believe he is really 11 month old!

How he's grown!

2010-02-02T22:47:00.000-08:00

K had a check up today. He's almost 10 mos old.

He weighed in @ 18 lbs 14 oz. 29.25 inches long.

Our pediatrician is wonderful. He did most of K's exam with K sitting on daddy's lap. He's so gentle. K wasn't scared or anything. Hesitant, sure but not scared. It probably helped that he was able to stay in the security of daddy's lap for most of the visit.

K only needed to receive 3 shots. I am purposely having him receive them later than recommended. This has eliminated @ least 2 shots so far because he's been too old for them.

He's finally figured out how to get down from a standing position while holding on to furniture. He's also started to cruise, just a wee bit, along the couch. Sleep is still elusive, sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. It looks like his daytime naps are becoming less and less but for longer time periods. He can wave byebye a little bit and says momma much more clearly now. It's adorable.

I don't mind the loss of slumber too much....it's hard but I continue to remind myself what a short season this will be. I know I will long for these short cuddly days. ;-)

#7!

2010-01-11T20:47:00.001-08:00

Finally another tooth has broken through. So many sleepless nights. He was working on this one for about a month now. Last night was finally a more restful night of sleep, hope tonight is even better.

Daddy wanted to get him a 'walker' to use, so we found one @ the thrift store. We left for use @ Nana's house. He absolutely loved it!!! He figured out how to roll around the house pretty quickly.

We also founda practically brand new pack-n-play too. It was half the price of the cheapest brand new one with all the features. The crib simply takes up way too much space for the amount of use it's hardly getting. I think a pack-n-play will serve our purposes better, besides saving space that the crib takes up.

Delicious Child o' Mine

2010-01-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

Tonight Baby K rubbed his chicken into his hair. I do not know why? Now he smells absolutely yummy though. ;-) I tried introducing him to using a cup, he likes to drink water from my cup, when I have some. He refused to hold it himself. He just wanted me to hold it up for him. Silly baby.

A small update on the diaper changing challenge....he is a lovely still baby now. All it took was 1--ok maybe 2--'training changes'. You know, training! Now He stays still and it's no longer a problem or issue. I don't know why I didn't realize it was a 'training' issue. You'd think I'd never had a child before. sheesh! lol

Forget Diapers!

2009-12-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

Baby K absolutely, totally, completely, will NOT sit still for diaper changes. I am seriously considering going all in w/ the EC & going diaper free. It's too frustrating to wrestle w/ a near 9 month old just to change a diaper.

I procrastinate changing him cause it's so exasperating. Not sure if it's a discipline/obedience/training issue. He just wants to be moving, pretty much, @ ALL times. He only sits to eat or in his stroller--IF the stroller is moving. lol

Forget trying to dress him either. Unfortunately the weather is still cool. He needs to have some clothes on while crawling the hard wood floors. I give him a toy and it distracts him from the task @ hand for about thirty seconds before he's flipping over and attempting to shimmy down the side of the couch. I am not even exaggerating.

{sigh} I LOVE this child.

O Baby!

2009-12-26T22:02:00.000-08:00

You climb, you crawl, you don't sit still!!!! Seriously.

If I put you down on the floor---you will flip over & crawl away, anywhere.
We just celebrated your first Christmas. I can't imagine it with out you. You are such a joy, a busy joy but a joy still. You didn't bother the tree or the ornaments. You did rip my curtains to shreds--biting them & pulling. A favorite past time of yours. heehee.

You got a lot of clothes (size 12 mos & up) for Christmas and some toys. I wanted you to have all natural toys...so which one is your favorite? This hard plastic electronic gizmo! {eyeroll} lol

Next year you will be so excited for Christmas. (not that I'm in a rush) This year was no big deal to you, really. I took you with me today for some after Christmas shopping. Just a few things like some yummy yarn and your first Christmas ornament. It's adorable, I must say.

Why has my blog suddenly switched like I'm writing a letter directly to *you*? I have no idea. haha.

Busy Baby

2009-11-03T22:32:00.000-08:00

Rolling over at lightening speed, another tooth before I even know you're teething, your first Halloween, a few days shy of 7 mos.

I want to cry. Why? Because I know the time is flying by faster than I can keep the memories in my head. Even though I long for a full night of sleep, I know I will miss the day you are no longer in my bed. In the middle of a hectic day (which is very often lately) I look at your sweet face, those cheeks that are beginning to fill out and I can't help but swell up inside, to over flowing, with love.

Love beyond description.

You help me stop.

Stop feeling overwhelmed. Stop worrying. Stop rushing. Stop and give you kisses. Stop and tell you what a joy you are to my life. What a blessing you are. I stop and smile at you and you smile back with that beautiful toothy grin with drool dripping down your chin. I repeat what a joy you are to my life. What a joy your sister is and your two brothers.

I know that tomorrow will come quickly. Today is a mere blink. So I stop, I open my eyes and I *love* you. I take a deep breathe. I enjoy you.

There is no rush. You will grow up, for sure. You will sleep through the night. You will have your own bed. Your own room.

And you will no longer cry for me...

Thank you my love.
Thank you for reminding me...of every moment.

I missed him

2009-10-21T23:45:00.000-07:00

Last night lil fella slept in his own bed for the first time...only for the first half of the night though.

Then I think he was punishing me for it the rest of the night because although I took him back into bed w/ me, he did not sleep well @ all. I don't even know why I put him in his bed...guess cause it was in our room staring @ me for the past 6 mos? Or maybe it's cause baby rolls all over the bed & ends up sideways & I am afraid he will get smothered by a blanket? Or maybe it's simply cause *I* feel so squished on the end (ahem *edge*) of the bed.

I must admit I really could not get to sleep w/o him near me, wierd I know. Sometimes he has woken up and I see him simply put his hand on me and go back to sleep.

I have not been ECing any more during the night...which may or may not contribute to him waking up more. I am not sure. I have just been too tired so I just nurse him...but somehow I think he sleeps better (less restlessness) if I *do* take him potty.

O! and hey! I finally got him to eat avacado today...I simply had to cut it into chunks NOT mash it up. He took quite a few bites that way. Yay.

Hell Week!

2009-10-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

You know, that week for football players right before the season officially starts? That's pretty much how it was last week. My poor babe! He screamed & cried & kicked *every* time I would put him down, even if just to change his diaper.

When he woke up one day w/ tons of mucous running out of his nose & no longer fussing, I realized, he must've been having a sinus headache all that time! Sheesh! Finally I had my babe back! I was worried there for a minute.

He's got 4 teeth now too. How fast huh? He's got his upper two & his lower front two. I can't believe it myself. I was looking forward to getting a few shots w/ just his first front two. Before they were all the way in, the top two were coming through. He's such a cutie though, I won't mind too much.

He doesn't want to eat baby food! Then it dawned on me, maybe he wants real *feeling* chunky soft food, right? I gave him a small spoon tip worth of rice & beans. O! The look on his face! He did not like the texture of the rice & he stuck his tongue out & spit it out immediately. I've been letting him gnaw & chew on chewy breads like bagels..but I read that grains aren't really too good for them at this age...so I don't know what to feed him besides continued nursing.

All he will really take is bananas!

First illness...

2009-10-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

My poor babe! He's had quite a fever now for the past few days. Today I noticed a rash too so it could be Roseola. Poor little guy is obviously not feeling good. He's not really crying just making whiny noises and it's just so sad.

I've been giving him tylenol and it seems to help for awhile. Otherwise, today, all he wants to do is 'pretend' to nurse. The good thing is that he is sleeping a bit better. Of course all I want to do is hold and snuggle him and make it all better...but alas, there are so many things to do plus I'm not feeling too great myself. {sigh}

It's unusal but I've been able to just lay him down in the bed and he will sort of roll over half way and go to sleep. I know the rest is good for him. The nursing is also the best thing too so I've cut back all 'real' foods for now.

3? Are you kidding me?

2009-10-04T23:34:00.000-07:00

Baby has 3, count them, 3 teeth! I thought it would take longer. whew! For cutting in so many, he certainly hasn't been very fussy.

Last night though he broke out in a fever and slept very fitfully. I do not know why. The digital ear thermometer we have was of no use either. It wouldn't read his temp as anything over 96 degrees and it kept reading *my* temp as 94!!!

I've been giving him a few foods here an there. He loves bananas but they seem to give him a stomach ache. He refuses to open his mouth for hard boiled egg yolk. I even mixed it with lots of coconut oil and sweet potatoes once. Yesterday he had pomegranate applesauce. High in antioxidants low on baby friendliness. It was a crack up. He'd take it in but then make these sour faces that were so funny.

I steamed and mashed carrots for him. Except for being mush, I thought they tasted delicious. Apparently he does not agree. I am trying to start him off healthy but he seems to not be having any of it. I know breastmilk is the most nutritious thing for him right now anyway so I guess there really is no rush.

I have a group I meet with every other Thursday night, so even though I don't want to rush him, I want him to have something available to hold him off when I am not here for those few hours.

And even though I am enjoying the bit of 'freedom' (which really isn't an accurate word), I am saddened by how quickly he is growing. I think I normally do a good job of savoring the moments...but this time has flew by.

I guess NOT!

2009-10-03T23:53:00.000-07:00

Pomegranite Applesauce going *in*....

...but not so well received!

It's fascinating, really

2009-09-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

how much my baby is developing and how. The other day I was speaking to him in a happy tone BUT he was *not* looking at me. He could not see my face but he smiled and got excited. I realized he was processing what I was saying and his brain was recognizing it as a positive tone with out him even needing to see my face! I find that pretty amazing.

I never realized before how their brain processing is also developing auditorily. You would think that by child #4, nothing would be 'new' or exciting any more right? but NO! I'm seeing even more fine details that I never noticed before. We are such fascinating creatures. The way we learn, develop and take in the world around us. each aspect more fascinating than the previous.

Baby K is practically sitting up now. He can for a few seconds before slightly leaning over and then falling over. O! We visited a friend the other day who's youngest is 1 year old and also loves to scream. So guess who has picked up this *adorable* ear piercing habit? yikes! Another fascinating part of development--imitation? I guess he's a fast learner. :-)

Song for a Fifth Child

2009-09-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Mother, oh Mother,

come shake out your cloth,

empty the dustpan,

poison the moth,

hang out the washing

and butter the bread,

sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house

is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery,

blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little

Boy Blue (lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping's not done

and there's nothing for stew

and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo

but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?

(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing

will wait till tomorrow,

for children grow up,

as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs.

Dust go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep'

~Ruth Hulburt Hamilton~

Growing, growing, growing...

2009-09-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

like a WEED! haha!

He finally had his 2 mos check-up--yes he's 5.5 mos old. He was *lost* in the system & once he was found it was another month before he could get in to see the doc.

He weighs 15 lbs 4 oz! He's doing well rolling over & pushing up when he is on his belly.

Last week he cut in a beautiful new pearly white! No more chewing on my knuckles..those baby teeth are sharp!

He received 3 shots today & is *not* a happy camper! He is the most fussy he has ever been. The baby tylenol helped. I was glad he @ least, got out of 1 shot, because he was too old. I am not %100 comfortable w/ vaccinations but I am not %100 not giving them either. My compromise is for them to receive them later than recommended. I figure their immune systems are more developed and all that breastmilk has provided good natural antibodies & protection.

He went on his first camping trip last week. it wasn't so bad. I think he enjoyed the hike we took. He was in the wrap & didn't fuss a bit. He fell asleep after awhile. Everyone commented on how *good* he was--never hear him cry. He didn't sleep so well the first night, but who would on that hard ground? He did better the second night...too bad I didn't.

The EC is continuing & worked great while camping. Even more so since he was mostly 'in arms' the majority of the time.

he will be starting solid foods soon....the doctor said no eggs but I recently read egg yolk is good for babies--a good 'fat'. Doctor also said after 6 mos he can basically eat *anything*...really? hhhmmm...interesting.

Speaking of food--have you walked down the baby food aisle lately? Gerber has this expanded line of baby/toddler & preschool foods--totally disgusting! It's a meal in a box! Basically a tv dinner for a baby. Naturally they call it healthy! yuck! It says NO preservatives...ok well then HOW do you *box* vegetables? O! you put it in a 'pouch'? barf!

And I know inexperienced moms are going to see those & probably feel *good* giving it to baby. :(

What's the rush?

2009-08-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

I can't believe he is 4 months old. Seriously! Why does time have to move so quickly? Is it ungrateful to miss that cuddly, snuggly tiny babe?

I enjoy every phase of my children's lives...but newborns! aaahhhh....need I say more?

The ECing is still going strong. I really love it. We even EC'd @ Disneyland last night. woohoo. He seems to enjoy it much more on his little potty than me holding him, like I did at first.

The babe can officially roll over too. I was starting to fear he wouldn't cause he was always in arms but I began tummy time on a blanket on the floor. It wasn't long before natural development caught up. He's also sporting the old-man-going-bald do! Yes, his hair is falling out, like mine, but he had a full fluff on each side by his ears. Too funny.

He loves his voice, is drooling up a storm (a flood?) & his tooth buds are really obvious now.

What sweetness, to love this child.

EC

2009-07-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

aka Elimination Communication. aka Infant Potty Training.

I'm taking this up. We're on day 4 & this is going so much better than I imagined. Seriously! I'm totally hooked. It's so easy. @ least I have made it very easy on myself. As soon as he wakes up...to the sink we go. We make faces in the mirror & laugh & sure enough....psssss! yay!

The warm weather is also making it easy because baby can be half clothed w/ ease as I watch for signs. I am not stressing msyelf out about it. There are many misses but they are near misses.

Yesterday we were out & about. I wasn't sure how that would work. I just *knew* he had to go but I wasn't able to get to him on time but when I did check his dipey--sure enough, he had *jsut* gone!

This is also such a self confidence booster as a mother too. Confirming how much I really do know my child/baby. And it's actually a lot of FUN!

Not to mention the diapers I am saving each time I get a catch.

sleep? what! sleep?

2009-07-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

Hopeing not to jinx myself but baby has effectively been going to sleep around 9pm or so last few nights. Seriously. I think we may finally be settling on a routine. Although...I think I may also remember this same thing happening w/ last baby (current 7yo) & all my hopes getting dashed as soon as she started cutting her teeth in.

I will enjoy it while I can. This week we have been trapped in our home due to some house painting & have had to have teh windows closed. So we ahev been running fans. I think the fan noise seems to really help him sleep. wierd. But hey! whatever works right?

I do think he is beginning to teethe for reals now too. Instead of just sucking, he is really gnawing or biting down on my knuckle now. Hope it doesn't get too bad for him.

I think baby is a nudist...

2009-07-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

Lately it has been really hot. That's dreadful when you have a new cuddly sweet baby. I jsut *had* to put him down but he was so upset. Then something amazing happened....he cried harder & louder when I laid him down until....I took his diaper off.

Suddenly he was SO happy. I took it off & left it off & he was all smiles, giggles & crazy kicky feet. LOL

I've been trying this @ least once or twice a day, when we have some down time, to be sure it wasn't just a fluke.

It's confirmed, that cute little guy just loves to be nakey! :-)

Teeth! what?

2009-06-13T22:21:00.000-07:00

I know it's early but I swear he's already got 2 front teeth buds!

I wouldn't have believed it myself either but...I noticed & rubbed my finger along his gum & could totally feel them. Confirmed!

wow!

I wonder if *that's* why he's my first baby to noticeably be such a drooler? lol

I hope it's a trend...

2009-06-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Last night baby seemed to be asleep. I laid him in bed but still had a few things to do before I joined him. I noticed he would move & shift around a bit but I decided not to start nursing him right away but to wait & see what would happen. This was around 10pm or so.

He pretty much stayed asleep!!! It seemed to take him about 20 min to be fully *out* but he made it. He had even opened his eyes a few times but went back to sleep.

I finally heard from him around 4:30am or so & I nursed him back to sleep.

I will try this again tonight & see what happens....here's hoping! :-D

By morning time, he's such a smiling joy! So maybe he is a morning person?
Yesterday I put him in the wrap, but facing outward. He seemed to like it. We were outside so that might've helped. We worked in the garden, pulling weeds & I explained everything to him the whole time. He's a great listener! LOL

What's it worth?

2009-05-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

average nights sleep? 3 hours

diapers changed per day? 10

minutes to myself? 0

Being the first to make baby smile? PRICELESS!!!

~*~*~*~*~*

Yes, I got a huge grin today. I was holding a cloth diaper in front of baby, playing peek-a-boo, this morning. One time it produced a huge grin. Another time I snuzzled & tickled his neck & he did the same thing but you always doubt that first one right? lol

I also kept sticking my tongue in & out knowing he would/should copy me, and he did. What a little sweetie he is!

Magical Month One!

2009-05-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

It feels like a lifetime but baby is one month old!

I feel like we finally know each other. I feel adjusted (to the sleep loss? lol) & confident, as if all my baby momma skills suddenly came back to me overnight. heehee. He doesn't seem so fragile anymore. I know when he's tired but cries cause he doesn't know how to fall asleep. I know when he's crying cause he wants to be held but isn't starving. Or when he has an air bubble & needs to burp.

He enjoys walks in the stroller. Especially when he's a bit tired. He'll cry a bit then fall asleep. One night he slept in the stroller for 3 hours! I didn't know what to do w/ myself! lol

I am so in love.

no more whining!

2009-04-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

UUUmm...ok, I guess I'll stop complaining bout my weight & current body shape.....

I was weighed while @ the WIC office today.
I've already lost @ least 20lbs! I don't know if I should be shocked or relieved?

On the flip side...I tried on a different pair of maternity pants today...they were too *tight*! ugh. {eyeroll}

Not-even-a-spare-moment-to-shower-STAGE!

2009-04-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

Here we are *today*!

It was one of those days that I couldn't even catch a break to take a shower....kwim?
Baby needs me, kids need me, DH needs me, *I* need me!!!

After everyone else gets their showers in & I finally think I have a chance...no hot water.
Once the warm water replenishes...NO CLEAN TOWELS!!!!!! arg! Not one in the whole place??? Nope!

Which @ this point...can move me to tears in an instant!
Reminder: this is only a *short* season!! :-)
OH! & BUY more towels!!!

Pornographic stage!

2009-04-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

{hope I don't regret using that word in my title}

Yep! This is where we are folks!
Milk has come IN....just when you really thought I could NOT get any *bigger*! shya right!

Don't you remember me mentioning this a few months ago?
Don't say I didn't warn you. LOL

Oh & took K back in today...no weight gain but no drop either. There was a diff nurse today She seemed to think coming in the very *next* day didn't make much sense...yah, ya think? duh.
.

WHO?

2009-04-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

in their right mind schedules a new mother & baby for a 9:00 AM appointment the very next day after release from the hospital for giving birth? Apparently Kaiser! lol

WHAT was I thinking agreeing to it? arg!

It was to check for jaundice...all fine.

However when they weighed him the *advice nurse* seemed very concerned over the fact that he had lost %10 of his birth weight...bringing him *down* to 6lb 4 oz!!! Yikes!

So...she suggested we supplement w/ formula temporarily.

Nod & smile. yah, NOT gonna happen!
My milk hadn't even come in yet...I'm fairly healthy so I predict there should be no problem there, never had a problem before. She made an appointment for us to come back in the next day to weigh him again.....ugh. We had her schedule it for the latest possible time...to give ourselves that much longer to feed him.

Smile & nod.
Smile & nod.

After thoughts

2009-04-06T12:57:00.000-07:00

I really have NO complaints.

The labor went quickly which was a blessing.

I felt really good afterward.

Today I feel really tired but I think that's simply cause it's so hard to sleep @ the hospital.
My bum is a bit sore today but not too bad.

My stomach is *still* really *high* up. Weird. Seems like baby never *dropped*.
Gained the most weight & baby is smallest? I expected him to be bigger. lol Guess I really was eating for *me*. lol

He's a *great* nurser, much better then the other 3 were @ first. He's REALLY nursing good. SO far he seems very bright & alert & calm, over all.
He's *skinny*....for being 20 in long & just under 7 lbs....I was surprised how small he was, really...& such a sweet, tiny little head.

He's got great color. His eyes, of course are that newborn grey but I really think they will be brown like the rest.
No bald headed babies ever here. lol

Dh seems SO involved too this time...wanting to hold him ALL the time. Definitely different.
I am finally realizing this is OUR baby. lol Took me a few hours though to get used to the idea.
I kinda felt disconnected but I know it helps to hold baby as much as possible...so I have been & I feel more connected. He's just SO sweet.

The weather was gorgeous yesterday & bright & sunny today. I wore my dress home & was still bigger then I expected (LOL) but that's ok.
It's supposed to rain Tuesday night then for a few days...so we'll see.

4/5 is a good date.
I don't know what they base this on but his apgar score was 9.9 (out of 10 right?).
His color is good.

Those cloth diapers I made...are NOT going to fit him for awhile, I think. LOL
He's got quite the tiny bony rump! lol

His Birth Story

2009-04-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Wow...so I guess I *must* be tired because I got online earlier & just didn't have the mental capacity to post anything. lol

So here we go...blow by blow...

Woke up yesterday morning, as usual, to go to church, except earlier. Felt a contraction that was undeniably *different*. Just *knew* this was it but I doubted myself anyway so I didn't tell Big E. Lil E was still out of town, btw. Posted to you all...forced myself to take a shower. Knew I'd regret it if I didn't. SO GLAD I did. I woke DH up right before I got in the shower...that was 8:40am. Told him to get the kiddos ready for church.

Tried to time the contrax but as I had posted yesterday, just could NOT keep track of time. I was wearing my watch, would check the time...then when next one hit, just could NOT remember what time the other one had hit. kwim? Seriously.

Finally when they were 1-2 min apart, DH was like: I think we should go to the hospital. I did not like that idea & thought it was still too early. Was afraid they'd put me in a bed & I'd be stuck there for hours, uncomfortable & tempted to get drugs that I really didn't want. kwim? BTW: *this time* I was smart enough to call my SIL *before* I went to the hospital, prior to births I called her on my way & she missed them both, I was done by the time she got there so I never got nay pix or videos.

SO we head off to the hospital...when I got there I was VERY glad DH had insisted we go cause I could now tell my body was simply operating under the command of: DOWN & OUT! As in everything inside was moving DOWN & OUT! kwim? My mil & fil were there. I believe it was around 11am.

Prenatal triage is on the 2nd floor. Made our way up there...stopping along the way cause I could not walk through the contrax.

It took a bit more time then I expected @ the front counter....I was thinking the entire time of my *rehearsed* line: Last time I was here I had the baby within 20 minutes! Thinking if I did they would believe me....well I did not say it...

So they set me up in a triage space w/ instructions to get/give a urine sample & change into a hospital gown. Things were getting even MORE serious & I could barely move to try & change.

Once I did I notice fluid dripping...w/ a bit of blood. I could *not* give a urine sample. Naturally they told me to get up onto the bed. Not what I wanted but @ least they were patient to wait until the contrax gave me a break.

Then onto the bed...I felt disappointed & was afraid I'd be there for hours more. The contrax were *really* beginning to become unbearable & they were putting a baby heart monitor around my stomach which just felt irritating to me, but whatever. Eventually @ some point they wanted to *check* me & said they *thought* I was maybe @ 6-7-or 8 cm dilated but she couldn't tell for sure & they felt the bag bulging & baby's head. I thought my water had broken or already sprung a leak since I was having fluid come out???

DH was trying to tell them my labors are pretty quick but I don't think they believed us. They wanted to put an IV in. What for? They said to help manage the pain, I told them I did not want anything for the pain...then she said, ok it's just fluids. I did not have the energy to fight about that or question her any more. The contrax were really, really serious & I felt emotional about it & was crying a bit through them.

I guess my body knew how I felt because as a person attempted to put an IV, she said my vein blew ??? SO she went for another bright vein on the back of my hand...same thing. I have very *good* veins so this was *weird*.

A bit later someone else came & they told her to get my IV into my other hand...that hurt SO BAD! I think she hit the bone or something...I think that made me cry a bit more.

She apologized...NO IV though. Finally they were taking me to a L & D room. Yay! I actually get to be in an actual Labor & Delivery room this time.

All this time DH has been letting me keep a death grip on his hand during contrax & telling me positive things like I'd doing great & such...

They wheel the bed I'm on into the L&D room & they *insist* I have to get into this other bed. NOW I've gotta PUSH!
I'm starting to feel frantic....& like I have to go the bathroom. iykwim. Of course they tell me NOT to push. But it's really too late to say that. They want me to get onto the other bed but I gotta PUSH & the contrax are not gonna wait for me to change beds. SO A nurse CLIMBS up onto the other bed to try & help me move over onto it. Somehow I manage to roll over onto it & scooch over all the while I can feel my body pushing....

I am flat on my back. WHY? But it's too late to really care....I push & the nurse is like WHOA! & puts her hand on my body as baby's head is coming out...LOL...I guess trying to hold him & I back??? lol The CNM is NOT even there. Now that I think back over it...I realize I basically did this ON MY OWN, anyway. lol The CNM kinda runs in & is like WHOA! as I'm pushing his head out. NOTHING is stopping me & I am NOT waiting any longer. NO one is even holding or supporting my legs or anything. Then I push again & he's here!

SIL tells me that baby was born inside the amniotic sac...still intact, the CNM peeled it off his face & body...but it was like tight on his body & he did not cry, open his eyes or mouth or anything until she peeled it off.

Birth time recorded as 12:02pm!!! It *seemed* so much longer @ the time....

Whew! I'm already laying back....I pretty much had one had on the wall next to me & my other is holding DH hand. He's telling me how great i am. I feel shaky & just really out of it.

There's a baby on my belly & I lazily put my hand on him. I can't believe he's SO TINY!!!! & I feel nothing emotionally. I can't even believe it but I don't even feel shock. I just feel very out of it.

I see DH cuts baby's cord. I feel emotionally NUMB. I'm shaky.

Eventually they move baby to clean & weigh him. I did think a few thoughts & start saying aloud how great I am, to myself. How good I did. DH had been kissing me & telling me how proud he was of me & how great I did too, right before that....I was kinda thinking what for? I think I was confused or didn't realize baby had been born or I don't know what?

Eventually they put him on me again to try & nurse...he's SO TINY! I can't believe it!!! And it all doesn't seem real yet.

Eventually we're moved up to the 5th floor & Sam & Birdy are finally allowed to come in & meet their new baby brother. (Lil E is still not back yet) They are SO in love!!! They don't want to stop holding him & Birdy keeps suggesting he needs a diaper change so she can HELP!!!

More pix after they upload....

2009-04-04T01:26:00.000-07:00

Baby Bump

2009-04-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

39 WEEKS!

No joke!

2009-04-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

I *really* thought last night/this morning was going to be IT.

I was having some pretty strong contractions, the kind that wrap all the way around your middle, front to back. When I stand, it stimulates contractions. If I went for a few laps around the block...maybe I could force the issue, but when I would sit down, things would settle.

But last night, I already *was* sitting down. Eventually I went to bed, thinking, well if this IS it, I better get some rest...I fell asleep. They stopped. I was awakened a couple hours alter by a strong contraction, got up to use the restroom & didn't have any more & promptly feel back asleep. {sigh}

Not htat I really want my baby's due date to be on April Fool's Day! No way.

And guess what...our dog is *expecting* too. I wasn't sure @ first, thought maybe she was just *eating extra well* & gaining wight. She is clearly waddling now & *wide*. Lovely!

Yay for cloth dipeys!!!

2009-03-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

I finished a doz cloth dipeys! It wasn't as hard as I initially made it out to be. I thought it would be easy...once I started it was more challenging then I estimated...then I REread the online directions & voila! Much easier!

It helps if you read directions thoroughly & not just *skim*. heehee Lesson learned...hopefully.

I have been gifted w/ a couple packages of disposey diapers. I appreciate that...for the beginning especially. I was also gifted w/ a dozen prefold cloth diapers! SO grateful because then I don't feel so pressured to rush & get more made before baby is born.

Not only am I trying to save $$$ I don't even have, w/ the cloth dipeys, but I *seriously* prefer cloth diapers. No, really. It's really NOT hard to keep them up. They don't require so much extra washing care as people think. I have it fairly simplified over all.

I found a tutorial onlinefor making the cloth diapers, using sweatshirts & T-shirts...right up my upcycling alley! I had some flannel fabric that I used on a few, for a cute backing, then used strips of sweatshirt for the middle thickness & lined the other side w/ upcycled t-shirt! The worst part was the cutting! I hate cutting fabric anyway, so this was nothing new. lol

Would you like to see some pix?

I'll be using the flannel scraps I have left over for homemade baby wipes. It's too easy *not* too. I simply fold them into a double layer & zig zag around.

Surprise?

2009-03-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

Nothing to report here on week 38!

I asked my not-so-littles if they wanted to come to the hospital when I go into labor, if it was night time, or they wanted to wait @ home. Birdy responded that she wanted to be *surprised* so for me to tell her I was going to a a meeting, then come home w/ the baby! lol

I didn't quite understand her rationale on that.

Then when they were going to bed, I asked them if I go into labor do you want me to wake you up to go to the hospital w/ us or let you sleep....they responded, quite adamantly that I should *wake them up!!!* I guess they changed their minds?

I'm tired but I think it's simply because I have been staying up way too late & I honestly think that makes me have a restless sleep. Otherwise, I must confess, this pg has not been all that bad. Tired more than usual & ever before but that's it. That can also be from my lack of physical activity & too much carb intake. Prolly need more protein.

My weight gain is the most EVER...trying not to dwell on it because it IS still within normal & recommended weight gain for pg. But still...kwim?

Even my sciatica has not been that bothersome. No nausea in the beginning...just major fatigue! I really can't complain. Thank goodness I have had an extremely helpful & understanding DH home this time around.

Baby Bump

2009-03-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

38 WEEKS!

Everyday I wake up...

2009-03-24T21:40:00.001-07:00

and wonder if *today* would make a good birth day....I say it out loud....how does march 24th sound? How does it roll off the tongue?

I am having LOTS of contractions today but NONE are consistent & NONE seem very strong for *anything*. {sigh}

LOL

SO no this is not an announcement or even false alarm...just *wishful* thinking. lol

Cool!

2009-03-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

I took back the duplicates & a couple other items I don't need. Wasn't too bad. & I let my not-so-littles scan whatever. lol

I finally found some bedding & blankets I really liked. Not that it matters but some people are really interested in your *theme*...well I realized my *theme* is basically *green*. lol I really like the colors they have now of green, brown & maybe some blue thrown in. So I scanned quite a few coordinating littel blankets, one full bedding set & other odds & ends like canvas baskets & such.

I don't think I will get them but you never know.

After returning the items, combined w/ a gift card I received...I think I will be able to get a *jogging stroller*!!! Yay! Nothing fancy but something none the less. So I need to get back to my *research*.

I *still* want to make something for baby but I just don't know WHAT!!! It's HOT today so now i'm thinking w/ warmer weather on the way that a light weight {sewn} blanket would be better than a crocheted one. Most of the fabric I have though....girly! I have to figure *something* out.

Back to Babies R Us today.

2009-03-17T12:47:00.001-07:00

I'm behind on posting, sorry. But hey! I made a slideshow of all my pg pix, week by week but blog is giving me grief when trying to post it...so maybe later.

Anyhoo. The shower turned out nice. We got a car seat, which was *really* ALL we *needed*! kwim? I feel a bit bad cause people keep asking me what we *need*---well after all these years, either I've forgotten or (& this is what I actually believe) I've just realized what I simply DON'T need. Which is most everything made for babies these days. lol I don't have space for *stuff*. My personal philosophy is that most of the larger items are created for moms to NOT hold baby.

Well duh! Isn't that what we are *supposed* to be doing? SO who needs a vibrating seat? Who needs a rocker seat? Who needs a gym hanging toy thingy? Who needs an exersaucer? kwim? & they use it for such a short time.

I prefer to *wear* my babies & then if I must set them down, they can learn to play on a blanket....not to mention....brothers & sisters that can help & entertain baby. kwim?

I don't have room for a highchair. Big E's aunt was kind enough to purchase the booster seat that comes w/ a tray, that attaches to a regular dining chair, from my registry! I think it's perfect & it's height adjustable. I had something similar w/ the last 2 & it was much more convenient.

I'm off again today to return some duplicate items & allow the not-so-littles to scan some more items. It's fun for them.

Already?

2009-03-13T22:56:00.000-07:00

I really can't believe I'm so close. kwim? Tomorrow is the baby shower MIL is throwing for me. Initially she told me it would be @ the park. I thought that was a great idea so I would be able to invite my own friends too. She told me I could.

But then she changed it to her house. I even told her she could have it here @ *my* house...we've had *Welcome Baby* parties here before....but she declined. So I really didn't invite any of my own friends to it. I know it will be crowded enough & parking will be a bear.

She was afraid the family from TJ would not want to go to the park or to my house....I guess she forgot that they've all been here before....idk.

Some ladies/friends from church said they were going to throw me one....I think now they are planning on throwing a *Welcome Baby*??? I'm not exactly sure.

I don't even know if MIL is planning on any games or any thing & she seems quite stressed out over it altogether. I *hate* that. It makes me uncomfortable. & the time kept getting moved later & later...so I already know it's going to be a very *long* day.

I think I should have registered for some more & different items but I never made it back down there, we've just been *so* busy. Oh well. & mil told DH that some of the *aunts* were complaining that they could not find anything on my registry. Well yah, that's kinda how it is. A list just prints out w/ sku numbers & the title of the item...so you have to search thru the store to find it.

But I don't care. I couldn't register IN the store for what I really wanted anyway, so a gift is a gift. I'm sure anything they get will be fine. And if not...I'll just take it back, get store credit & stock up from wanted items, online, that were not available in the store. lol

I didn't even get a chance to scan/register for blankets! I'll prolly end up w/ a lot of blue items when I really want green but that is my own fault. I could not decide between the green w/ frogs or the green w/ monkeys. lol

Maybe when/if my other friends throw me one...I'll have a better idea. who knows? lol

I don't know if I want to wear a pretty dress---that makes me look even huger, tomorrow...or a shirt & pant...

Baby Bump

2009-03-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

36 WEEKS

Appointment

2009-03-11T00:42:00.000-07:00

This midwife is SO fast during appointments. SHe's nice but she's so upbeat & our appointments literally FLY by ina bout 15 min. lol

No diabetes---no suprise there. duh. SHe seeemd a bit surprised but pleased that blood tests showed NO anemia either.

I have to admit, the idea that I have gained the *most* weight EVER this pg (which I totally blame on being SO inactive!), is so disconcerting to think about---BUT @ the same time, I AM strong & healthy.

I have had some extremely stressful moments that I *literally* thought I would go into pre-term labor!!! But baby & I are *strong* & that is what matters. Baby is *still* so active & it's wonderful.

Of course CNM reiterated that labor @ this point would *not* be stopped. It's considered totally safe from here on out. I don't have any history of preterm or real early deliveries so I am not counting on it. lol

It would be *nice* though---I feel SO busy lately & I know I am not geting enough rest so it would be nice to have baby simply so I would be forced to SIT DOWN! I'd have a great excuse, no one would expect anything from me & I wouldn't feel pressure to DO anything but SIT & care for baby.

*I* personally beleive that is why God designed us to breastfeed!!! lol So we mothers would be FORCED to SIT & rest @ least every few hours. I do have one small fear---that my inactivity will result in a longer & harder labor....I don't want to jinx myself but I'm just saying...kwim?

My BH have definately gotten more frequent & stronger but nothing serious.

I'm debating whether I should go in, when labor begins, as early as possible so I have time to settle in @ the hospital & have a real birthing room---or if I should just stay home as long as possible then go last minute, like in the past & then be rushed into a *delivery* room when the staff are caught by surprise if things go as quickly as past labors. kwim?

Not sure which is worth more to me....

Up EARLY!

2009-03-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

I tried to get out of it...thought I had by missing it in December...but NO!

CNM *still* wanted me to go in to get my Glucose Tolerance test done. Which is this annoying test to check for gestational diabetes. {eyeroll} I know, I'm SO rebellious!

So you can't eat anything past 11pm, which I never do anyway BUT because they told me not to, I totally wanted to. lol I almost forgot this morning NOT to eat--simply out of habit.

I get there first thing @ 7am. I had to wake up in the dark mind you due to the time change. ugh. There was a long line @ the lab. Go in, drink the sweet orange stuff. It kind of tastes like flat orange soda but on an ampty stomach...ugh. They take blood. The guy who did it---barely a pinch. He was good except I couldn't really understand his accent. He was nice enough NOT to tape the gauze to my hairy arms but used this sticky ace bandage-y stuff instead.

Next hour go in for more blood....a different person. This one poked a bit more & she used tape but didn't put it too tight, thank goodness.

Next hour, last time. This one HURT! & she put the tape TIGHT! What happened to the ace bandage? kwim?

It was over anyway.
I crocheted a hat while I was there & did some writing. Real writing, on paper, in a journal book. lol

My arm is still sore from the last one & I think I have a slight bruise. What's up w/ that?

I have my next prenatal appointment tomorrow AND Birdy has a violin lesson half hour later. I have to scramble to figure out a way to get her to her lesson while I am @ w/ the CNM......Dh is unavailable. (for a good reason) And she can't miss, it's her first one & she had to miss last week cause DS had Scarlet Fever. I've had it before, which makes me immune, so baby & I were safe.

Getting excited?

2009-03-05T23:53:00.000-08:00

I think I am....

A few online E-quaintances have had their babies recently & it makes me feel excited.

Plus, w/ all the extended family drama & stress I've been experiencing lately, I am looking fwd to the sweet blessing & distraction a baby can bring. I still need to get the crib out of the garage & make sure everything is ok w/ it.

I need to clean up my room really good to make room for the crib, or in the not-so-littles room.

Baby will be rooming n w/ us & co-sleeping for quite some time, but eventually will be in the crib & I want it out & about now. kwim? Our rooms are so small...

The BH I experience are getting stronger. Nothing serious but simply noticeably stronger & more intense. Sleeping is getting harder & sciatica is getting stronger but not as bad as I remember...so far anyway. I am thankful about that though.

@ my last appointment CNM still pointed out that she *still* wants me to take the diabetes/sugar test. {eyeroll} She said though that they would do some other labs @ the same time. I'm not sure what other tests there are...but whatever. Everyone has been sick here so I did not make the appointment yet, but I will tomorrow, unless I forget. She also said she will do an ultra-sound @ the next app & they will being to be every 2 weeks now.

Registery ugh!

2009-03-02T21:13:00.001-08:00

Yesterday & today I finally went to register....

Sunday was AWFUL! What a nightmare! Plus I was rushed but WHY do they only have ONE employee working the registry counter on a WEEKEND? kwim?
I jsut needed to get those little cards to give to my MIL.

Went back today to actually register for *real* items...
I feel guilty for being flippant & putting the Nintendo DS (handheld) on the registry ONLY because S saw & instantly got SO excited not understanding what this whole *registry* deal is & thinking we were going to actually GET those items or people were REALLY going to BUY us what we scan. kwim?

Maybe it would work if that was ALL I had on my registry. kwim? Cause I am rebellious like that.

SO I went back today & ONLY was able to hit 1/4 of the store & ended up w/ 123 items on my registry.
123 items of WHAT? I have NO idea really.
But each & every item seemed to make sense @ the time. kwim?

I think it was mostly various lotions, washes, (all natural) & then other various things that I never knew they sold there like mouthwash, toothpaste & toothbrushes, for adults. lol

And hardly anything that I really, really wanted. I chose a sling, not the wrap type but a solid sling, no rings, hopefully it will fit & work well.

I told MIL people could order ONLINE & DH just started LOLing @ me when she replied EXACTLY like I already KNEW she would; that NO ONE was going to go ONLINE & shop!!! arg!

@ least I scanned a car seat. An infant one & then I found a 3 in 1, bigger & bulkier but it made sense to me to get that, it goes from infant to the booster, kwim? But do I WANT the infant one to be able to carry him? IDK You tell me, please?

DH didn't think we'd need an extra base for the infant one...Has he REALLY forgotten how CONVENIENT that is to have 2 bases? I mean SERIOULSY! Even L had 2 boosters! DUH! lol

I was like: do YOU want to be the one to UNDO it each & every time? UNLESS he's *trying* to make it hard sot hat we NEVER trade cars....cause the lease is up & eventually (any time now) he will be getting a *new* car. We HAVE too cause the lease is up & we owe more then the car is now worth. Don't remind me---> consequences, consequences, consequences!

How big/small should my registry be?

I know I scanned 2 diaper bags. I scanned one then DH pointed out one he thought was *nice* so I just went ahead & scanned that too. I couldn't tell if he was just trying to point things out or if he was showing a preference. kwim? It was that same confusion that led me to become a scanning maniac to begin w/. kwim? Cause I already had some preconceived ideas of what I did & did NOT want...then all of a sudden he'd make a comment & felt obligated to scan items he was pointing out. kwim?

Initially I said I wanted the *theme* to be *frogs* so he was then pointing out EVERY single thing that had a frog on it. kwim? Trying to be nice, ya know...but I was only referring to bedding...or the baby shower decorations. But now I don't even think I want frogs...IDK I didn't even get to the bedding area!!!

I did scan some cloth diapers they had. I know they won't be DSQ but I have to make due...hopefully if people are willing to buy me enough, it could work well enough.....who knows what can and/or will change as baby grows & then I can afford to buy real ones online....

Have you seen those gdiaper systems? I think it's kinda funky but they are *flushable* or *compostable* disposables? But they require a cloth/plastic diaper cover. Weird. But the covers said you can use them for cloth diapers so I scanned a bunch of those....they didn't even have any nicer cloth diaper covers except *plastic* pants, which are just awful! I hate those!

Oh...so anyway...

I think I may just HAVE to go back again! sigh.

2009-02-26T00:52:00.000-08:00

34 WEEKS

taking it's toll.

2009-02-22T16:44:00.000-08:00

I don't normally ever get to the point of *wanting* it to all be over. Not even @ the end. I know it's best for baby to stay put as long as possible & I know how different things will be once baby is here....so I never get that impatient feeling or want to rush the pregnancy.

But this week...I feel different.

I think it started when I made a mistake & thought I was a week farther than I really was. I had a momentary shock of panic to think I only had 6 weeks left, but really I have 7. I was feeling a bit down over some other unrelated matters & began thinking what I nice & lovely distraction it would be to have baby now. kwim?

Maybe I will feel different tomorrow. I usually feel different *tomorrow*. kwim?

Or I mean maybe *registering* will cheer me up. It's like shopping except you don't spend any $$$$. lol

I'd like to *make* baby something too, a nice crochet blanket or something but for whatever reason, I'm just *not* motivated for that either.

I'm disappointed in myself for being so INactive this pg. I wanted this to be everything I wanted it to be. kwim? It's prolly the last, no specific reason why, just how I feel. SO I wanted it to be the best pg ever. But I allowed it to get away from me.

I just feel like a giant bump on a log. It's not just being pg...it's being INactive. I'm certain this is the *biggest* I've ever been...I can *see* it, I can *feel* it & it's just blah!

This might be the pg I *don't* lose any weight afterwards......kwim?

Then again, like I said, I might feel better tomorrow.

Guess it was nothing...

2009-02-19T17:36:00.000-08:00

So yesterday I was afraid my water had broke...or something.
No need to go into TMI? OR maybe I can, it's my blog anyway, right?

So went to the restroom & when I was finished there was another continuous *gush*...weird.
The thing is I've never experienced my water breaking before labor. W/ S I was already @ the hospital near the end & it broke on a*push*.

W/ L, the midwife broke it for me as I was already 9.5 cm dilated & L was born soon after. kwim?

So I was quite perplexed...& I do not normally have incontinence issues during my pregnancies.

So I just lay low & kept up the water intake.
Things seem fine today.
Guess I just need to chalk it up to one of those weird pg things/quirks.

One of those things that makes you go hhhmmm? kwim?

When did I become so sensitive?

2009-02-18T17:41:00.000-08:00

There has been some extended family drama recently & I just can't believe how it has affected me!!!

I was so upset Monday over some shocking news & I could feel my entire body physically tensing up & my stomach start cramping. Well by Tuesday, I was having some pretty strong cramping & braxton hicks all day! I stayed laying down, upped my magnesium & water intake.

It's so discouraging though how even though I didn't appear to be upset & felt I had vented enough to feel ok about the situation, it was still obviously affecting me.

It was almost scary...but everything seems fine now! :-)

Baby Bump

2009-02-05T23:10:00.000-08:00

31 WEEKS

Baby Bump

2009-01-22T23:14:00.000-08:00

29 WEEKS

If I hear ONE MORE TIME...

2009-01-19T00:25:00.000-08:00

"you are so huge!" I will not be able to control myself & may smartly retort: So are YOU!!!

& NO I am NOT due *next month*. I am due in APRIL....that's almost 3 mos away.
& yep, I prolly *will* get bigger.

Yes I AM pg!

It's a boy & NO I am NOT telling you the name.

I will probably let you touch my stomach if you ask.

And hey--my face is UP HERE!

Yes I'm aware that I am now *totally* showing.
& no I don't need or want a second serving of food, nor do I have *room* for more, either.

AND I really do feel GREAT! :-)

Finally....

2009-01-15T17:26:00.000-08:00

After getting out of the habit, I decided to call in to the casting agency...FIRST call was for pg women, obviously showing, between 6-8 mos...

BUT in their 20's! Bummer!

I called & left my info anyway....who knows? right?

Sex-pot to Totally NOT!

2009-01-15T13:32:00.000-08:00

Not that I've ever *really* considered myself a sex-pot or even close...but there's that small window of opportunity in pregnancy where your body's filling out & you don't exactly *look* pg but your skin is glowing & fresh, you're kinda voluptuous & the hormones are raging. Well, that is if you're not barfing & hanging out over a disgusting toilet all day.

But anyway, one day it suddenly switches & nothing fits & you can't see your feet & you keep noticing stains on your shirt where your stomach is just *always* in the way! In *that* moment, you struggle to still look somewhat attractive, despite your growing girth.

You long for some semblance of *self* & not just the identity of human-incubator. kwim?
You try to dress nicer, which is a total joke as far as the maternity fashion ward is concerned, but we wear denial like a badge of honor & try anyway.

I experienced that first hand today. It's been hot suddenly, in the dead of winter, so I found myself a maternity skirt. I told myself it was cute, ignoring the UNflattering bunched elastic along the back, worn w/ a bright red maternity shirt. (@ least it didn't have any stains) I did wonder, however, if it was this fitted *now*, how would it be next month? {sigh}

I was @ the mall w/ DH, he was looking for shoes.

I happend to land my eyes on the cutest & slightly sexy heels EVER.
They had a bit of open toe, a bow, cork heel & the shoe itself was a tiny red rose print. Can you say Fabulous!
And comparitively speaking, they made my gams look great!
I pondered if I, an obviously full & pg woman, could *pull it off*.
I was debating how long I could *really* wear them until I began to ache *somewhere*...when DH walked up behind me & as I just slightly turned to look @ him.....nearly fell over as I lost my balance!

A simple physical manuever, taken for granted in so many other moments....

The right one didn't quite fit well enough anyway!
& they really weren't worth the price. You call *that* clearance? hmph!
I put them back in the box, noticing a black scuff along the side, they must be a *return*.

And slipped my feet back into the flip-flops I was wearing.

Do you think I could pull off high heels while transporting baby in a sling? ;-)

Baby Bump

2009-01-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

27 WEEKS!

MUST have/read for EVERY Mother!

2009-01-06T00:02:00.000-08:00

A friend from church gave me this book about 2 weeks ago.

It is totally amazing. It's written for pg mothers. It is full of blessing prayers for baby while in utero but it can be used for children already born. It makes so much sense.

The amazing thing is that while I've been saying these prayers & blessing over my babe, I have felt God ministering to my own soul through the words.

I wish I could afford to purchase a box of them & I'd give them to every mother I know.

Pure Joy!

Almost felt like me again.

2008-12-27T21:39:00.000-08:00

I took a run today!
Maybe it was more like a jog & waddle...a joddle? or a woggle? waggle? lol

Whatever.

But I felt good about it.
I walked a warm-up mile then ran (ok already, *jogged*) a mile.
Then walked a cool down mile.

It wasn't so bad.
I felt the aches & pains I get from walking but it wasn't so bad & after a while, they left completey. It did feel like every car that passed me was staring @ me...maybe they were?

But boy did I feel *great* afterwards!
There *really* is a *runner's high*.

& for a few slow, lumbering minutes, I felt like *me* again!

& btw: this little guy is *so* active. Seriously.
Berty was the last one & I really don't remember *her* being so active.
I don't remember noticing any of them being *so* active.

I wonder if that is a sign of thigns to come?
But newborns are so INactive, w/ the introduction of gravity & all...so I wonder....

I also wonder what he is gonna look like.
What his personality is going to be.

I always enjoy that contemplation.
Wondering what the DNA mix is gonna be....only God knows. ;-)

Baby Bump

2008-12-27T14:08:00.000-08:00

25 WEEKS!

Where does all that weight go?

2008-12-20T16:04:00.000-08:00

Maternal stores of nutrientsand muscle development 7 Pounds
Increased body fluid 4 Pounds
Increased blood 3 - 4 Pounds
Breast growth 1 - 2 Pounds
Enlarged uterus 2 Pounds
Amniotic fluid 2 Pounds
Placenta 1.5 Pounds
Baby 6 - 8 Pounds
Total 26.5 - 30.5 Pounds
Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Baby Alive

2008-12-11T22:52:00.001-08:00

Wasn't there a doll w/ that name? lol

Baby is *so* active right now. I mean *really* active....*all* the time.

In these precarious times it's a comfort really, to know I'm *never* alone. A constant reminder & companion.

It's neat.

I'm in the cute stage anyway & that is enjoyable. You know the stage where all anyone can notice is your baby belly & they say nice things like: oh you exactly the same except w/ a baby bump, like you haven't gained *any* weight @ all.

Oh how sweet....& you sigh as you think, yah, you say that *noooooow*! lol

Wait till 8.5 mos! lol

I did find & bring out my 'bigger jeans'...regular jeans in sz 11 & 13. I LOVE wearing them more than the maternity pants. I really *don't* like those...or maybe it's just *not* the same as your *own* jeans...kwim? Even though they are bigger...they just feel more like *mine* & I am so much more comfortable in them. Go figure...& maybe it's the lack of *lint*!!!! (did i write about that?)

Baby Bump

2008-12-04T22:16:00.000-08:00

22 WEEKS

(we got to skip 21 weeks)

Another new due date....

2008-12-01T22:09:00.000-08:00

So every time I go to the ob...or I should say each time I've had an ultrasound they've bumped up my due date....interesting.

Funny thing whenever anyone asks me, I've just been saying: sometime in April...& my vote is April 7th! lol

Well @ my monthly appointment today, my CNM verified that I have a new due date!!!

Let's just say it's no longer 'mid-April'...early April is more appropriate. So my next update pic..well it will be one week AHEAD! lol

And CNM says I've only gained about 10 lbs! *I* thought I was pushing 20lbs already. So either I was in denial about my pre-pg weight, cause I kept saying it was 125, but @ the initial apppointment I weighed in @ 130, or I *really* did gain 5 lbs in the first 2 weeks of pg! lol

So to *me* I've gained about 15 lbs...but according to the chart, I've only gained 10.

And if I do the math, according to my LMP, this new due date & baby's current size, baby was conceived right before my P or during it!!!

Crazy!

This is important to me because it only confirms that this was really a God thing. I think all conceptions are but....the idea was that I was just being irresponsible & maybe if I had been extra diligent...ya know?

But *who* imagines they are fertile & ovulating *during* thier P?

God is *crazy*.
LOL

Seriously...I don't know what He was possibly thinking but I'm excited to see how this all plays out.

Choices...

2008-11-27T22:17:00.001-08:00

Today was Thanksgiving...biggest feast of the year. Except I'm pregnant which means I can *not* fit that much food into my stomach @ one time thanks to Baby boy. He's got priority. So I finally realized I have to have way smaller portions, more often.

It basically comes down to choices. I have 2 choices: breathing or eating. lol

Seriously though. So while everyone else was pigging out & over stuffing themselves I was nicely enjoying a bit of everything. I was pacing myself. It's not so hard.

I just serve small spoonfuls of everything, on my plate. It works perfectly. ;-)

Another thing is; regular foods I normally enjoy, seem to taste a little off. For example, my sil makes veggie lasagna every Thanksgiving & I love it. This year...not so much. I'm not a huge fan of turkey but I'll have a little...again, it was just yuck!

It's disappointing & some days nothing sounds remotely good. It's so extreme when you are pregnant. 2 mos ago I couldn't get enough to eat, I would even wake up in the middle of the night hungry. Now, just about nothing sounds good except what isn't good for me...like french fries, hamburgers & cold cereal...& my kiddos eat the cold cereal up before I can even get some. lol

sigh.

Baby Bump

2008-11-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

20 WEEKS!

I can't believe it.

2008-11-24T17:29:00.000-08:00

Today was the long awaited day....the ultrasound that would hopefully tell us if I was carrying a boy or a girl. I really hoped for a girl.

The tech was actually very nice. I remember previous experiences where the tech sat there in stone silence while my mind frantically wondered if my baby was missing a head or something. The tech would click, click, click away taking all these measurements while never saying a word nor looking in my direction.

This guy though was so friendly. He pointed out every pic, a different body part, all of which he said looked good & healthy. He asked me if he could tell if I wanted to know or wait until the rest of the family was in w/ me. I said No way! Tell me!!! I think I deserve some perks for being the mom, don't you? lol

There was *no* doubt about it. It was clearly a BOY!!! A boy! I laughed, I could not believe it.

I explained I had wanted a girl but really, all that matters is that baby is healthy. We already have 2 boys & a girl.

Finally the rest of the family came in & I teased them that I knew what we were having.
The tech teased them it was twins! I wish!!!

When he pointed it out, we all laughed. I said, it's a boy! & then Berty just stood there. She asked: is it a boy or a girl? I repeated: it's a boy! She suddenly burst into tears! & we all burst out laughing.

She was better after a chocolate dipped ice-cream cone. We're comfort eaters, what can I say? Plus encouraging words of how much she is going to love this little brother & her heart will melt & she'll most certainly have another playmate.

It seems her main concern was that she wanted someone to play w/. :-( I reminded her what a great playmate her closest brother is.

I still can't believe we are going to have 3 boys!!!!!
Now I can't stop wondering *what* he will look like & *what* his personality will be.

OH! & i almost forgot. THe tech asked me if this was my 2nd ultrasound. No....he said I was getting it so late. TO him, it looked like baby & I were almost 21 weeks along...but according to my due date, we are only 19 weeks along...everytime I've had an ultrasound, my due date changes...so I don't know???

Guess we'll see what the midwife says 2 the next appointment. But then he did say the ultrasound can be off, give or take, 3 weeks!!! How's that for accuracy?

Baby Bump

2008-11-19T17:09:00.000-08:00

19 weeks!

Baby Bump

2008-11-05T17:07:00.000-08:00

17 weeks!

I actually DID it!

2008-10-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

I had honestly planned on walking...but hey, who says that's any fun? lol

Too competitive for my own good...I ran (some would call it a pathetic jog, but whatever) the whole way...5k baby! Which is 3.1 miles!

Time not too bad!

15 weeks, almost 16!!!!!

Yay pregnant ME!

I'm Pregnant Padme!

2008-10-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

You know, the scene where Anakin is choking her to death & 20 min. later she gives birth to twins & dies?

Yah, no one else knew what I was either!!!!

But I was proud of my homemade costume! heehee. I put A LOT of work into it & no one even knew who I was...one person said: Are you from Star Trek? EEEEKKKKK!!!

Where is this world headed when you run into people who have seriously NEVER seen Star Wars? {sigh}

Well, I could not find any other pregnancy inspired Halloween costume...then I remembered Padme.

*I* thought I looked pretty cool anyway. ;-)

Baby Bump

2008-10-22T21:49:00.000-07:00

15 weeks!
(excuse the 'scott')

Feeling more like my ol' self....

2008-10-21T17:30:00.000-07:00

Took a,n actual RUN last Thursday! I walked a mile, ran a mile then rode my bike for 3.1 mi/5k.
I felt SO good.

Physically I was not up to my old endurance & pace, but the fact that I DID it. My run was slow, 12:30 for 1 stinking mile but I felt good about it anyway & proud of myself. One of my knees felt a bit tweaky but it always does the first day back.

Course, it took me a few days to recover! lol But seriously, it was a busy weekend.
Today I got back out there & I didn't have time to do the whole work out so I did one mile total, walk/run combo, 2 min each, @ a time. My time was even faster, 12:24 min, considering half of it was walking. My chest hurt a bit after but admittedly i didn't do a proper warm up or cool down, which is WHY I decided to do a run/walk combo anyway. No knee issues either. Mentally--I felt FANTASTIC afterwards! What a GREAT start to my day!

We had too many other things to do...like go fabric shopping for my Halloween costume. I finally decided what I was going to be, last night. I was up way too late 'researching' & I am SO excited.

You'll have to wait until it's finished & I'll post a pic. heehee! ;-) We have a costume party to attend on Saturday & there is a costume contest...& well, I AM a bit competitive...SO I totally hope I WIN! LOL--but serious!

Baby Bump

2008-10-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

14 weeks

(Yes, I'm wearing my running skirt! ;-) )

Baby Bump

2008-10-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

13 weeks.

My weight in Tortillas!

2008-10-06T20:41:00.001-07:00

My current weight in Mission Tortillas is 1130 tortillas! lol

Ouch!

2008-10-02T11:40:00.001-07:00

There hasn't been a sudden return of energy...yet. :-(

I've been forcing myself to make excuses to WALK. We had an appointment @ the library, so we walked...snuck in a mile. Then middle-not-so-little has football games & practice so we walked to the park, another mile. And various short errands, like down the block--walked.

But it's certainly way less than pre-pg activity.

And now my back has started to get achy & feel heavy if I stand for any length of time. I feel so heavy already so I can't imagine as I get bigger. This part is a little different & I hope as things adjust, it will get better.

Baby Bump

2008-10-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

12 WEEKS

what a WASTE of time!

2008-09-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

Had an appointment w/ a Genetic Counselor today & it cost me $25 bucks! For what?

For her to ask me & then discuss if I wanted to have the AFP testing. I already got out of the unnecessary & extranneous blood tests, savign me an unnecessary errand....but instead they send me to THIS 'appointment'.

I had no idea it was going to cost me $25 either! For absolutely NOTHING! So annoying! I think they think many women are just uneducated idiots who don't realize why they turn tests down. She only confirmed my reasonings: the only reason to test is to further give you an option to ABORT! {eyeroll}

The test itself poses a higher risk of complications & baby/pregnancy damage then the risk of actually producing a child w/ the birth defects they are testing for! kwim? {more eyerolling}

I made it clear I would never 'terminate' anyway & she agreed that testing would only cause UNnecessary anxiety! Yah! I know! It's my 4th pg, I think I know a bit about this. kwim?

Irritated!!!

Feeling it..

2008-09-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

For reals.

I'm pretty sure I've already been feeling baby moving. It's different from the others..feels stronger actually. Not as 'fluttery' but definite for sure.

I can only feel inside, not outside yet. And I can definitely feel the shape of my uterus in my lower abdomen.

I'm still so tired. I thought maybe my energy was picking up....just to feel wiped out all over again. {sigh}

It would prolly help if I GOT UP & rode my bike consistently....I was good for a week, then nothing for a week.

Baby Bump

2008-09-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

11 WEEKS

Sorry it's blurry.

Weeks shmeeks!

2008-09-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

I can NOT keep track of how many weeks along I am. Every time I think I have it right......something tells me different.

I get this weekly email that informs me of baby's development & how far along I am...well today it said I was 11 weeks! what?

What happen to week ten?

According to my doctor & what she said, which was already about a week farther than the previous ultrasound, I should be only about 10 weeks now...so I have NO idea or HOW to calculate it or what. sigh.

It's all hooey anyway---I mean baby is gonna arrive when baby is good &ready & no amount of calender watching is gonna change that! Good grief. Why do simple things have to be SO complicated sometimes? yikes!

Baby Bump

2008-09-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

10 WEEKS
I should really avoid taking pix FIRST thing in the morning. ;-/

Are we in the dark ages?

2008-09-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

We've made progress ya' know? Women are allowed to go out & get jobs AND we do NOT have to be sentenced to 9 mos of bed rest because we're pg!

BUT apparently some still think a pg girl can't even play soft ball! It's annoying. I think I know MY own body better than anyone else right? I mean i HAVE lived in it a few decades.

Baby is MORE protected NOW than it will be @ any other time in pg & yet I can't tell you how many times I have heard: you CAN'T play softball anymore!

Well, guess what? I AM a bit too tired to play, sure...BUT there is NOTHING that says I CAN'T! Modern female medicine has made it clear that anything a woman was doing BEFORE she became pg she can continue (not talking about dangerous habits like smoking or drinking) but sports! I might quit tackle football if I was playing, but GMAB!

It is not advisable to being a new physical training program during pregnancy but you can continue in whatever you were currently involved in. kwim?

And anyway---I AM a responsible adult. I think I know what I am & am not capable of & what is & isn't safe for me & my baby. I HAVE birthed & raised 3 perfectly healthy & safe children up to this point.

If I DID get hit by a ball--again, baby is buried under so much bodily padding it's ridiculous, since baby is still so small. kwim?

Ok. Vent over.

Baby Bump

2008-09-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

9 WEEKS

I had just woken up, hadn't brushed my hair. It was still back in the braid I slept in. ;-/

Another Ultrasound

2008-09-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Met the MD this time.
I think things are diff w/ kaiser this go around...I have a lot more prenatal co-pays, which are ONLY $10 but I wasn't expecting ANY.

The MD was REALLY enthusiastic, friendly & nice. That was good.
She made it sound like the midwife & her would 'tag-team'? ???

She was pretty upfront & on top of the whole 'birth control' issue. Letting me know that 'many women', are looking into permament methods & therefore papers need to be signed around 20 weeks. (I'm not into anything 'permament') I prolly shouldn't have told her this was a 'surprise'.

So heart was beating 174 per minute, she said it looked fabulous. Only gave one measly pic & kept 2 for I don't know what??
Baby didn't even look bean shaped but odd shape, guess that's normal for 8 weeks 3 days. She said this ultra-sound machine was very accurate & that puts my due date @ 4/16.

Weight is up to 132!!!!! That would be about 7lbs gained. I told her I was concerned about the RATE I'm gaining weight.....she insisted that for my height, my weight was FINE, & that it would only be a concern if I was over weight. She said she recommends about 3-4 lbs per month weight gain.

I can say I have been 'blessed' NOT to feel any 'morning sickness' or anything like that. Only an occasional 'twinge' but it's like a few seconds--I eat a few bites of anything & it's gone.

Hopefully this tiredness will go away soon too....I am starting to feel UP, but get easily tired out...like today, after this weekend.Doesn't seem like much but we had our marriage group Friday night, special night of worship & prayer Sat. night, leadership meeting Sunday afternoon & church Sunday evening & birthday party w/ a family for thier very ill son. (just turned 21--been battling cancer & complications for 2 years now).

Anyway...so that's all...I might post a baby bump pic in a while.
I've been trying to deny it---but it's pretty much UNdeniable now.......

Dizzy me!

2008-08-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

I FAINTED this morning! arg. lol

I know some lightheadedness is normal for being pg right? I've been feeling lightheaded when I get up from my morning stretch. I wake up, do a cat-type-of-stretch every morning. This morning, I was doing my little stretch but then heard the street sweeper...so I got up, went to the restroom to let DH know (he was showering for work) & then shut the door.

I felt the familiar light headedness & just stood there waiting for it to pass then I felt myself slide down the wall & then when I was coming out of it I was all shaky & couldn't remember for a minute WHY I was in the hallway--last I remembered I was in my bed praying---& it's like I woke up in the hallway praying!!!

All this happened in a matter of seconds then I remembered that I had gotten up for the street sweeper & all that.

sheesh!

1st appointment stats

2008-08-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

Nothing special...ok so I HAVEN'T gained 10lbs!! I've gained about 4. Let's just assume it's from growing baby. ;-)

I think I've grown about 1/2 an in. in height too. lol Or I was standing extra tall? OR i just forgot about that 1/2 in since I've been rounding UP my entire life anyway? lol

Urine test again & vials of blood taken. Paperwork w/ a gazillion questions about medical history blahblahblah.

I thought we were 5 weeks along, we are 6 weeks & 1 day. I can never keep track of the weeks vs mos. So we are developing heart right now. 6 week ultrasound scheduled for this Friday, plus another one @ 9 weeks then standard @ 18 weeks. 18 weeks seems so late, I thought it was usually around 12 weeks? But date wise it seems to be about 4 mos so I guess that makes sense? Lets call it crazy gestational math. lol

I normally decline the AFP testing, but because of my age, I qualify for an extra ultrasound....so I agreed. I usually decline since I know I would have baby no matter what & the test is not %100 accurate, so therefore, IMO, it creates UNnecessary stress or worry. The test is a state test to determine some birth defects, like down syndrome. I guess statistically, baby is @ a higher risk due to my age. I'm not personally concerned about that.

EDD is 4/23. Online calculator said 4/24. Only God knows. I'm still hoping to receive my precious gift on MY actual birthday of 4/17. *I* personally think it would be all the extra special. :-)

Already?

2008-08-26T16:28:00.000-07:00

I swear I've gained 10lbs! I can SEE it. ugh.

I suspect being pg @ 35 is going to be completely different than being pg @ 29!

My goal is to be in the BEST physical shape during this pg & to enjoy it the most.
If only I could get passed these tired & depressed feelings...I'm going to have to work harder @ this, I think.

I need to be more forceful w/ myself to get up & get MOVING...on the bike @ least. {sigh}

Growing a human takes an unbelieveable amount of energy OUT of you. kwim?
Seriously, lets examine this for a moment...

I. am. growing. a. HUMAN BEING. in. my. body!

This week I believe baby is developing it's (microscopic?) brain...next week, the heart should begin beating.

I am never less amazed when I think of the development of a human life. I can become completely overwhelmed w/ awe if I think of it too much.

I don't believe you can have a baby & NOT believe in God. Incomprehensable to me.

Let's be REAL for a moment...

2008-08-21T18:47:00.001-07:00

I am seriously NOT looking forward to....

having 12lb breasts!!!

& MORE stretch marks that look like I'm gonna rip @ the seams.

& needing 30 min just to get IN the car.

& having to lug around a stroller again.

& not being able to 'get up & go' @ a moments notice.

& not being able to fit into my VS undies---ok well, I wasn't fitting into them anymore anyway but @ least there was hope!

& having the feeling like I'm a walking billboard (& being the size of one) that says: YES! I had SEX!

{sigh}

Ok..but I am looking forward to 'mommy arms'--those nice muscles you develop from picking up your baby.

It was the tooth brushing...

2008-08-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

Or is it teeth brushing?

Anyway that was one thing that tipped me off to even test.

You see, I LOVE to brush my teeth. For reals! My DH even makes fun of me for it. But I have a track record of NOT enjoying the brushing of the teeth when I am pg. Makes me gag...iykwim.

So I noticed that I hadn't really FELT like brushing my teeth lately. I didn't enjoy it & I was even rushing to get thru it. Imagine that!

Go figure!

Reactions

2008-08-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

I could only keep it to myself for about an hour before I woke up DH. I had spent that time in prayer crying out to God for assurance that this madness was HIS idea & that HE knew what HE was doing!

So I abruptly woke him up & interrogated him about his 'commitment level' to me & our family & other crazy-newly-pregnant-lady ramblings. He assured me, through sleepy & bewildered eyes that all was well between us. And proceeded to get showered & ready for church.

In the middle of his shower (tmi?) I pulled back the curtain & blurted out the news. He smiled real big & said how exciting. I burst into tears. He then lovingly asked: aaawweee, what's wrong?

I explained all my fears. He assured me he was in a 'much better place now' compared to back then & felt he was now in a much better place w/ God as well.

The next day we told the ktbunch. Uh, they were beyond excited. Berty was running around the house hollering: We're having a baby! {emphasis on the 'we're' part} Sammyboy said it was the best day of his life. Why? I asked. Because we get to go to Disneyland AND have a baby! (we have passes & had already planned to go Monday)

Even my wonderful 15.5 yo son said it was exciting. I'm glad.

I'm still getting used to the idea...slowly but surely.

Some other friends responded SO positively. Like a relieved happiness w/ the sense of: finally something GOOD ti look forward to for your family.

I certainly hope so.

Kt'z Kurveball

UNsupervised

This kid!

potty training toddlers

Officially potty training

training

16 months!

15 months old!

O this lil' fella!

20lbs!

CIO isn't SO bad...right?

ONE!!!

what a sweetie!

How he's grown!

#7!

Delicious Child o' Mine

Forget Diapers!

O Baby!

Busy Baby

I missed him

Hell Week!

First illness...

3? Are you kidding me?

I guess NOT!

It's fascinating, really

Song for a Fifth Child

Growing, growing, growing...

What's the rush?

EC

sleep? what! sleep?

I think baby is a nudist...

Teeth! what?

I hope it's a trend...

What's it worth?

Magical Month One!

no more whining!

Not-even-a-spare-moment-to-shower-STAGE!

Pornographic stage!

WHO?

After thoughts

His Birth Story

Baby Bump

No joke!

Yay for cloth dipeys!!!

Surprise?

Baby Bump

Everyday I wake up...

Cool!

Back to Babies R Us today.

Already?

Baby Bump

Appointment

Up EARLY!

Getting excited?

Registery ugh!

taking it's toll.

Guess it was nothing...

When did I become so sensitive?

Baby Bump

Baby Bump

If I hear ONE MORE TIME...

Finally....

Sex-pot to Totally NOT!

Baby Bump

MUST have/read for EVERY Mother!

Almost felt like *me* again.

Baby Bump

Where does *all* that weight go?

Baby Alive

Baby Bump

Another new due date....

Choices...

Baby Bump

I can't believe it.

Baby Bump

Baby Bump

I actually DID it!

I'm Pregnant Padme!

Baby Bump

Feeling more like my ol' self....

Almost felt like me again.

Where does all that weight go?