My fourth grade class of 2009 just started middle school, which means Eric sees them on occasion. Today he met two of my former students when he visited the Robotics teacher's classroom. After realizing that Eric is Mr. T, one the boys innocently asked, "Are you the one who got Mrs. T pregnant?" It was all Eric could do to not laugh, but he did manage to say, "Well, I am her husband." Haha! Sometimes I miss being around big kids and hearing the things they say. :)
This is totally off topic, but I finally ordered the Kiley carrier from this post and it came in the other day. Several of you recommended the Clarice, but it was out of stock. I'm happy with the one I got though, and with a little more practice buckling Maddie in I'll be a confident baby wearing mama!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A Few of My Favorite Things
Sorry to all of you Facebookers for the repeat of pictures, but here are some things I've been loving lately:
I love how Maddie looks so peaceful when she sleeps.
I love her sleepy smiles.
I love how she stretches her arms around my sides as if to give me a hug when she is asleep.
I love the alertness she shows with her big, beautiful eyes.
I love seeing how much Eric loves her.
I love the frown and pouty lip that she shows us when she is being dramatic.
I love how she lays in a cute little froggy position.
I love being her mommy.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
An Update and a Decision
Thank you for all of the sweet comments on the last post! Some things we have learned in the past couple of weeks as we've adjusted to life with a baby:
Monday is Eric's first day back to work. I'm so glad he's had these two weeks to bond with Maddie. He used to be terrified about the idea of holding a baby and used gloves to change her first diaper, but now he handles everything like a pro.
Since Eric is going back to work, that leaves me the task of hauling Maddie around. I've tried carrying her in her car seat, but it takes up a lot of room and is INCREDIBLY heavy. Because of this I'm planning to get a carrier, but I can't decide which one to buy. I really like the patterned ones, but I think a solid color would be a better option so I don't have to worry about a patterned shirt totally clashing with the pattern on the carrier.
What do you think? Should I buy a patterned carrier and not care about clashing or should I buy the solid chocolate one which would go with almost all of my clothes? Hmmm. . . .
- We can't just hop in the car and drive to Dairy Queen to get a blizzard.
- I can function on much less sleep than I realized.
- Germs are EVERYWHERE!!!! I have become paranoid.
- Life must be planned in two hour increments. If it can't get done in two hours, it's not happening.
- Owning a dog is NOT good preparation for having a baby.
Monday is Eric's first day back to work. I'm so glad he's had these two weeks to bond with Maddie. He used to be terrified about the idea of holding a baby and used gloves to change her first diaper, but now he handles everything like a pro.
Since Eric is going back to work, that leaves me the task of hauling Maddie around. I've tried carrying her in her car seat, but it takes up a lot of room and is INCREDIBLY heavy. Because of this I'm planning to get a carrier, but I can't decide which one to buy. I really like the patterned ones, but I think a solid color would be a better option so I don't have to worry about a patterned shirt totally clashing with the pattern on the carrier.
Clarice
Kiley
Chocolate
What do you think? Should I buy a patterned carrier and not care about clashing or should I buy the solid chocolate one which would go with almost all of my clothes? Hmmm. . . .
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A BIRTH Day Post
Wow, it's amazing how quickly life can change! For those of you who are not aware, a very healthy Maddie Ann was born 10 days early on the morning of July 31st. Eric and I have talked several times about the fact that we never knew we could love someone so much, so fast.
As soon as we arrived at the hospital, Eric began documenting Maddie's birth story (in bold). I've added my own commentary for those of you who really care to know more.
Without further ado, here is our sweet baby girl's birth story:
JULY 30, 2010
8:57 PM-Mommy’s water broke at home. Daddy got the phone call on his way to a softball game.
I had absolutely no indication that labor would be starting. In fact, I was passing time by playing Mario Kart until it was time for me to head to the softball game. As soon as my water broke I called Eric, who thought I was kidding, and then I jumped into the shower. While I was showering Eric made some phone calls and hastily finished packing our bags.
9:47 PM–Mommy and Daddy arrived at the hospital.
We weren't the only ones to show up at the hospital, our families came as well. I guess that's what happens when you all live in the same town. To get to Labor and Delivery I had to walk through the ER with a towel wrapped around me. I felt super cool.
10:00 PM–Mommy and Daddy were admitted to the hospital and taken to a triage room to be checked out by a resident.
The resident had to do a test to verify that my water had broken, as if the constant leak of fluid wasn't enough evidence. He also checked to see if I was actually in labor and sure enough I was, despite the fact that I hadn't experienced any major contractions.
10:47 PM–We were moved into our Labor and Delivery room.
By the time we finally got into our room, my contractions had started BIG TIME and I requested an epidural.
JULY 31, 2010
1:00 AM–The anesthesiologists finally showed up to give Mommy her epidural.
Nearly two hours after my request and two attempts later, I finally got some relief from my contractions. By that point I was contracting with little to no break in between.
1:43 AM–The Grandmas and Rachel say goodnight to Mommy.
It turns out our family spent the night in the waiting room. They may have had a little too much fun.
2:00 AM–Mommy and Daddy settled in for a nap.
Eric and I figured we still had several hours before active labor, so he changed into pajamas and I took out my contacts. We wanted to be well rested for Maddie's birth.
2:10 AM– The residents checked Mommy and said that you were ready for your grand arrival.
No sooner had we turned out the lights, there was a knock on the door. For anyone who has ever spent the night in the hospital, you know that this is routine procedure. After one resident checked me out, he had his partner check. They didn't have good poker faces so I could tell something was going on. We were told that I had progressed very quickly and it was time to push. So much for the nap!
2:20 AM–Mommy started pushing.
Not fun.
3:50 AM–Mommy was still pushing, but the nurse called for the doctor saying it wouldn't be long.
Even less fun. It was at this point that I asked if they had secretly turned the epidural off, but they said no. Through all of this Eric was a fabulous coach.
4:16 AM– You arrived--all 8 lbs, 9.5 oz and 20 inches of you!!!!
My room had a reflective ceiling tile above the bed, so I was actually able to see Maddie's birth. Gross, yet cool at the same time. After the delivery Maddie was taken over to the side of the room to get checked out and cleaned up. I don't think Eric left her side. I had the pleasure of being stuck on the table while I got "fixed up," but I did have a good view of Eric and Maddie.
As soon as we arrived at the hospital, Eric began documenting Maddie's birth story (in bold). I've added my own commentary for those of you who really care to know more.
Without further ado, here is our sweet baby girl's birth story:
JULY 30, 2010
8:57 PM-Mommy’s water broke at home. Daddy got the phone call on his way to a softball game.
I had absolutely no indication that labor would be starting. In fact, I was passing time by playing Mario Kart until it was time for me to head to the softball game. As soon as my water broke I called Eric, who thought I was kidding, and then I jumped into the shower. While I was showering Eric made some phone calls and hastily finished packing our bags.
9:47 PM–Mommy and Daddy arrived at the hospital.
We weren't the only ones to show up at the hospital, our families came as well. I guess that's what happens when you all live in the same town. To get to Labor and Delivery I had to walk through the ER with a towel wrapped around me. I felt super cool.
10:00 PM–Mommy and Daddy were admitted to the hospital and taken to a triage room to be checked out by a resident.
The resident had to do a test to verify that my water had broken, as if the constant leak of fluid wasn't enough evidence. He also checked to see if I was actually in labor and sure enough I was, despite the fact that I hadn't experienced any major contractions.
10:47 PM–We were moved into our Labor and Delivery room.
By the time we finally got into our room, my contractions had started BIG TIME and I requested an epidural.
JULY 31, 2010
1:00 AM–The anesthesiologists finally showed up to give Mommy her epidural.
Nearly two hours after my request and two attempts later, I finally got some relief from my contractions. By that point I was contracting with little to no break in between.
It turns out our family spent the night in the waiting room. They may have had a little too much fun.
Eric and I figured we still had several hours before active labor, so he changed into pajamas and I took out my contacts. We wanted to be well rested for Maddie's birth.
2:10 AM– The residents checked Mommy and said that you were ready for your grand arrival.
No sooner had we turned out the lights, there was a knock on the door. For anyone who has ever spent the night in the hospital, you know that this is routine procedure. After one resident checked me out, he had his partner check. They didn't have good poker faces so I could tell something was going on. We were told that I had progressed very quickly and it was time to push. So much for the nap!
2:20 AM–Mommy started pushing.
Not fun.
3:50 AM–Mommy was still pushing, but the nurse called for the doctor saying it wouldn't be long.
Even less fun. It was at this point that I asked if they had secretly turned the epidural off, but they said no. Through all of this Eric was a fabulous coach.
4:16 AM– You arrived--all 8 lbs, 9.5 oz and 20 inches of you!!!!
My room had a reflective ceiling tile above the bed, so I was actually able to see Maddie's birth. Gross, yet cool at the same time. After the delivery Maddie was taken over to the side of the room to get checked out and cleaned up. I don't think Eric left her side. I had the pleasure of being stuck on the table while I got "fixed up," but I did have a good view of Eric and Maddie.
We have a LOT more pictures, many of which can be seen on Facebook. I'll leave you with a picture that I don't like very much, but it IS our first family picture so I guess I'll have to learn to like it.
P.S. Congratulations to Emily for winning the baby pool! Who knew the day I planned to lock it would also be the day that I'd go into labor?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Eviction Notice
Thank you for your consoling comments about losing the baby weight. I know it can and WILL be lost, and I can't wait to get started on it!
In the meantime Eric and I went to our 38 week appointment yesterday, which turned out to be more interesting than normal. Since my doctor is out of town, I had to see a nurse practitioner. She became very concerned when I told her the baby wasn't moving as much as she used to, and the fact that I haven't been doing kick counts didn't help the situation. Before she allowed us to leave the hospital she ordered a non-stress test for the baby. The test monitored Maddie's heart rate (perfect), movements (good), and my contractions (steady). After that test an ultrasound was done to measure the amount of amniotic fluid. The tech, who is not a certified sonographer, made us laugh when after a few minutes she asked with a bit of concern, "Has your doctor mentioned where the baby's head is?" She had looked all over the upper part of my belly, over Maddie's legs and torso, and couldn't find her head. Once I told her Maddie was head down, she was able to find her head and was relieved to know I wasn't carrying a headless baby. :)
I found this cartoon and it pretty much sums up how I'm feeling these days, but my doctor assured me he has never had a patient that has stayed pregnant forever.
In the meantime Eric and I went to our 38 week appointment yesterday, which turned out to be more interesting than normal. Since my doctor is out of town, I had to see a nurse practitioner. She became very concerned when I told her the baby wasn't moving as much as she used to, and the fact that I haven't been doing kick counts didn't help the situation. Before she allowed us to leave the hospital she ordered a non-stress test for the baby. The test monitored Maddie's heart rate (perfect), movements (good), and my contractions (steady). After that test an ultrasound was done to measure the amount of amniotic fluid. The tech, who is not a certified sonographer, made us laugh when after a few minutes she asked with a bit of concern, "Has your doctor mentioned where the baby's head is?" She had looked all over the upper part of my belly, over Maddie's legs and torso, and couldn't find her head. Once I told her Maddie was head down, she was able to find her head and was relieved to know I wasn't carrying a headless baby. :)
I found this cartoon and it pretty much sums up how I'm feeling these days, but my doctor assured me he has never had a patient that has stayed pregnant forever.
P.S. I'll be locking the baby pool on Friday, so if you want to put in your guess do it soon!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
So Call Me a Hypocrite
A blogger friend recently wrote a post about her concern with her weight gain during the first half of her pregnancy. Here was my comment in response:
All of the pregnancy books say that a person of average weight should gain between 25 and 35 pounds. My original goal? 25 pounds. After I exceeded that I told myself I wouldn't gain more than 30 pounds. Then my goal became 35 pounds. Well I have very successfully passed that goal and yet I STILL eat without abandon!
I hate the scale, I hate my lack of self-control, and I hate to think how this is going to affect me after the baby is born. Will I relearn self-control? Will I be able to lose this weight?
Sorry for the rant. Just had to get it out.
Scary, isn't it? Don't stress over it though; it doesn't accomplish anything. If your doctor's worried, he'll let you know.Well I'm not giggling or :)ing anymore. I have just a little over 2 weeks to go and I have no self-control when it comes to eating. Does that mean I'm eating excessive amounts of healthy food? NO! I'm eating cookies, brownies, cake, candy, and ice cream.
I haven't recorded my weight, so I don't have a clue what I weighed at 21 weeks. I just know where I started. What makes me giggle is the fact that my doctor must have recorded my weight incorrectly at some point because he seems to think I've gained 10 pounds less than I actually have. I'm not going to correct him. :)
All of the pregnancy books say that a person of average weight should gain between 25 and 35 pounds. My original goal? 25 pounds. After I exceeded that I told myself I wouldn't gain more than 30 pounds. Then my goal became 35 pounds. Well I have very successfully passed that goal and yet I STILL eat without abandon!
I hate the scale, I hate my lack of self-control, and I hate to think how this is going to affect me after the baby is born. Will I relearn self-control? Will I be able to lose this weight?
Sorry for the rant. Just had to get it out.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
It's Baby Pool Time!
So I found this website where you can set up a baby pool and with Maddie being less than a month away, I thought now would be a great time to get it up and running. This game was designed so you can join in the excitement and anticipation of our soon-to-be-born baby girl. There is no registration involved.
Simply click on this Expectnet.com link or on the icon on the right side of the page and enter your guesses. Please know that Eric's and my guesses are simply that--guesses. My doctor has not predicted a weight or length for Maddie, nor has he predicted that she'll be born early.
Please participate by entering your guess! Don't forget to check back after Maddie is born to see if you are the overall winner.
Simply click on this Expectnet.com link or on the icon on the right side of the page and enter your guesses. Please know that Eric's and my guesses are simply that--guesses. My doctor has not predicted a weight or length for Maddie, nor has he predicted that she'll be born early.
Please participate by entering your guess! Don't forget to check back after Maddie is born to see if you are the overall winner.
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