4 weeks post partum and 4 weeks old

Total weight gain: i  weighed myself at my mother-in-law’s house last week and I was down to my approximate pre-pregnancy weight.  that would be about 20-30 lbs over what i should be as a normal healthy 30-y-o woman .

Maternity clothes:  currently I’m finding myself in between maternity clothes and regular garb.  I haven’t changed out my wardrobe yet, so I’m still sporting around my summer maternity ware happily because I don’t get to wear it much and it doesn’t look that bad on me right now.  I think this next week I’ll do a switcheroo of my closet though because my summer maternity ware isn’t very voluptuous.   

Stretch marks:  they sure look funny now that they’re not all stretched out.  My belly is at a very jiggly stage.   I am planning on loosing approximately 20-30 pounds and wonder what it’ll look like then!!!    

Sleep:  i sure love to sleep on my back and all stretched out again!  Oh… it feels glorious!  I can sleep however I want and it is so comfortable!  I sleep from about 10pm until about 3-4-5am each night interrupted.  At about 3-4-5am I have a little whimper wake me and I gladly wake right up and feed the whimperer.      
Best moment this week:  I got my birth pictures back (via a slide show).  It was so amazing to watch the show and reminisce the birth of sweet princess buttercup.  Otter pop and I have watched it several times almost every night since we got it.  Wow.  What a great way to preserve such a miracle memory!!!!

Miss anything:  I miss my moving belly.  I love having the baby on the outside of me, but I love being pregnant and I already miss that big kicking squirming belly to rest my bowl on.  J
Movement:  the only movements I get nowadays are bowel movements.  And they’re rather regular. 
Food craving:  wow.  YES!  Peanut butter!  Peanut butter and graham crackers to be specific, but peanut butter on waffles will work, as will peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…  It’s really rather weird.  I’ve never liked peanut butter.  But I do now, and I think I might have to give it up!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  nothing abnormal.
Gender: female.
Labor Signs:  nothing.  Well, I am bleeding a little still.  But just barely and I don’t think that’s a labor sign anyway. 

Symptoms:  no more heartburn, no contractions every day (or any day), no large and heavy pregnant belly, no sore back from the large and heavy belly, no cervix pain with (or without) the contractions, no energy loss, no butt-hook, no shortness of breath, and no complete lack of motivation almost all of the time (or any of the time), no swollen ankles and feet...  nothin' worth complaining about.  In fact, nothin’ at all!!!
Belly Button in or out?  in
Wedding rings on or off? on.  Happy or Moody most of the time:  happy, but with twinges of unexpected and unpredictable grumps throughout each day.  This is one thing that HASN’T changed in the past two months.  L 
Looking forward to:  the journey of mothering 6 fine children!  So far it’s been great!

My biggest adjustment has been managing my time.  Since I was diagnosed with major butt-hook for the last 2 (at least) months of my pregnancy –getting worse and worse as the days went by--- I’m not having a hard time sitting down to nurse my babe every 4 hours.  In fact that’s been the easiest thing to do.  The thing I’ve had a hard time doing is anything else.  I just have still been in the butt-hook groove of sitting and cuddling and hanging out with my wee ones on the couch.  That is, until about a week and a half ago when I realized what kind of slump I was in and started working on it.  Now I’m trying to find the happy medium where I’m productive with the time that I’m not boob-hooked and where I don’t get so wrapped up in getting all this stuff done that I haven’t been able to do for months and realize I have several little ones around me needing guidance, training, and lovins.  And then to beat that over the head for me, the weather has also warmed up (greatly… as in the 80s) and the outside work is now calling my name too… and the outside play.  So, I’m trying to write up a list of things to-do each day and get them done AND get some play time in as well.  It just doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in my day…  crazy how things can turn around in just a month’s time.

So now onto the 4-week-old part of this post:

Buttercup lost the top part of her hair this past week.  It, literally, came out in the wash.  I was giving her a bath and swiped the washcloth over her head to wash her hair and off swiped the hair instead of whatever it was I could clean out of it (as if it even NEEDED cleaning!!!!)  I was so sad –and shocked!  I just wanted to un-swipe it back on.  Seriously.  L

Buttercup has really started sleeping even better at night and then waking up with some major happy face.  It’s so adorable.  We all love to gawk at her smilin’ face and smile back and giggle at her.  She’s a doll!  The past few nights she’s stretched her 6 hours out to 8 and even 9…  it’s nice of her and I appreciate it. 

We had  a baby shower this past week.  It was given to me by a dear friend who I love so much.  It was the most fun party I’ve ever gone to and it was great that I knew everyone there!!!  I love parties like that… they’re never like that though.  But this one was.  It was great also because we didn’t sit around pretending like we’re ladies and such… we all got to make sweet buttercup some onesies.  You heard me right.  We made onesies at a baby shower!  I tell you, this party-throwin’ lady is AWESOME!  Anyway I left feeling totally blessed and loved… and then the next morning it hadn’t warn off.  I just had a great big smile and a happy warm and fuzzy feeling inside of me.  It was great.

buttercup is nice and alert.  she likes to have her "awake" time although she's still sleeping for the majority of the day.  she has beautiful big, alert eyes that are starting to focus in on objects.  it's cute.  she knows who i am and finds me when i'm close enough for her to see.  i like that. 

i have had to start using two wipes on a few of buttercup's diapers... so that says a little something about her growth.  right?

And then last, but certainly not least, as buttercup hit her 4^th week birthiversary she (and we) welcomed a new member into our family: Buttercup’s little cousin was born!!!!  Yeah for cousins being born!!!  It was a special delivery 4 weeks after buttercup and nearly identical ---well, very similar I guess--- birth stats.  It’s great to see pictures of a ‘nother newborn weighing almost the same and measuring out almost the same as my not-so-newborn (comparatively at least).  We’ve seen pictures, but even better, we (buttercup, otter pop, and i) get to meet her in person in a few days.  ---I know this because I’m writing this post as we drive to see her… I just am going to post it when I should have -2 days ago.  So, I’ll make sure and get pictures galore of the two sweet cousins together.  How exciting!!!

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

downloaded pix

welcome to our family sweet buttercup!
i've finally downloaded our pix off our camera.  so here's a recap:

FINALLY!

right after her first little bath

some sugar-sweet visitors

she hearts her auntie

SOME THINGS WE ADORE ABOUT HER:

 

 

 

 

more visitors

 GOING HOME!

...

more to come!

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

41 week 1 day ... buttercup is here!

whether stripping my membranes did it or not, no one will ever know, but buttercup has arrived.  let me tell you about my part in bringing her into this world:
after my dr's appointment on thursday i was having contractions and cramps on and off, but really painful.  i went to bed that night hoping to simmer them down.  it didn't work.  i woke up at 12:26 with horrible cramping (i say cramping because that's the feeling.  what i was experiencing was contractions.  they were faithfully waving every 3 minutes.)  i jolted awake because beyond the pain, i was wet.  it felt like the pillow i stuck between my legs was soaked.  i jerked out of bed like i hadn't been able to do in approximately 4 months.  i put my hand down to feel the bed and sure enough it was soaked too.  i hobbled quickly to the bathroom.  i peed and peed and peed, but it all felt like pee, so i waited for my pee to stop to see if i'd keep leaking out...  i finally stopped peeing, and nothing else was dripping out. 
hmmm... i hollered to wake my hubby a bit so he could tell me if the bed was really wet or not.  --i've "soaked" the bed in sweat before, where it feels soaking wet to me, but then when i go to lay back down, everything was bone dry.  anyway, he roused enough to answer my question that the bed wasn't wet at all.  so, maybe i was wrong.  praise God.  i was really ticked at the dr. for stripping my membranes at this point!!!  but, good.  maybe my water didn't break.  phew. 
now, stop here if you don't want TMI.  skip to the end.
so, i wiped... and came out with a TON of cervical fluid.  i'm talking my "mucus plug" or my "bloody show".  it was disgusting... that is what had soaked my panties and apparently was running down my legs on the way to the potty.  gross.  but as soon as i started cleaning it up, i remember it happening when i was in the hospital trying to naturally labor with starboy.  so what did this mean?  it meant that those cramps i was having were indeed dilating my cervix and now it was dilated enough that my mucus plug had unplugged. 
it also told me that i was experiencing stage one labor. 
i knew this because my birth coach, otter pop, and i have been reading and studying dr. bradley's book "the husband-coached childbirth" (or something like that).  what i should do, to be as natural as possible during stage one, is pretty much fake-sleep.  fake-sleep is my vocab for 6 steps in the bradley method, but it pretty much completely describes what it entails.  (lay down on the side as one would naturally in the deepest most relaxing part of sleep -also called the running position-.  mouth breathing through the abdomen.  eyes closed.  and 2 more i can't think of.)  anyway, this fake-sleep should help to relax my body so that the contractions can do what they're supposed to do. 
so, i cleaned myself up and then went back to bed.  or i tried.  i was too excited though.  i couldn't sleep at all, and after an hour and a half decided that maybe i was in the put-put stage of phase one.  so, i put-putted around... got on facebook, and posted my status, " today MIGHT be the day... we're still waiting to see. but i have been awake (and WIDE AWAKE) for the past hour and a half... and i don't feel "normal" anymore! --although i still could say i do feel "fine" this minute."  i dinked off for another thirty minutes and then went back to bed.  i fell asleep at about 2:30 or 40.  kinda.
i kept contracting fairly regularly -although not every 3 minutes anymore- all morning long.  as the kids got up around 6:30, they had spread out to every 10 minutes.  my husband told the kids to pretend like everything was normal, but to go on throughout the morning without me because i was in labor.  binkins came back to me and said, "i hope your day gets better mommy and that you stop hurting so bad.  daddy said you were in labor."  i asked her if she knew what labor meant.  she looked at me, kinda puzzled and replied, "yeah.  it means you're working really hard!"  :)  (of course she knew what labor meant!!!)  i love her.  i love my kids.  i love my husband. 
we called otter's mom early so that she wouldn't even have to go into work, she could just come right over.  but she couldn't.  but she was still over before the big kids left for school... so that worked out.  she even brought doughnuts, which totally helped the kids get their chores done lightning fast! 
otter pop drove them all (sophie included) to school to help explain the picking up of jones (that'd have to be done at noon) at the same time.  i had written down the instructions... but hands-on learning is always more helpful. 
before they left he drew me a bath, so i soaked while they were gone and when they returned, sophie just took the littles to her house so that i could labor in peace.  we stuck in a movie, or turned on the tv... i'm not sure which because it really was just a background distraction...  i fake-slept while the contractions got harder and more painful by the minute.  around 11 they were painful enough that i really really had to concentrate on relaxing through them and by about 11:30 or 45 even through the relaxation they were bringing me to tears. 
at 12:15 otter pop had a dental appointment to take measurements and pick up his new partial.  it was supposed to only take about 10 minutes -at most- so he rushed off (at 12:14).  at about 12:30 a wonderful God-sent neighbor-friend dropped in on me.  i had had 3 contractions between 12:14, when pops left, and 12:30, when she arrived.  she asked how they were progressing and i told her they were only every 10 minutes, but were really picking up intensity.  she asked how long they were lasting and i told her i wasn't paying attention to that as much as i was just trying to get through them, so she said she'd start keeping track.  well, all of a sudden they started rushing in.  12:36, 12:38, 12:41, 12:44...  they were very intense!  my friend was rather concerned as she was watching me die right before her eyes.  it was about 12:45 when otter pop arrived back home and said friend and i told him that we'd better head to the hospital. 
he packed the car and i called the birth photographer.  i was really scared because what i had realized in the past about 3 hours, that when i got up (like, to go to the bathroom), or even just sit upright, the contractions would not only intensify by 100%, but also would speed up by 100%.  in between the 11-12 o'clock hour, the speed -when i was sitting up- was pretty much piggy-backed to where it was just one contraction on top the other on top the other... 
i sat up to get ready to get out to the car, and told otter pop that i'd better go potty first.  i hobbled to the pot and tried to relax myself when i felt the urge to push...  i got really scared and told otter that we needed to go, NOW.  of course he was waiting on me... so i wiped and got up (with my hubby's help) and went another few steps before i decided i should stop at the other bathroom and empty myself again before the car ride.  did i mention that i was scared?  because i wasn't.  i was petrified! 
we made it out to the car, back up, and drove about 50 ft. before i reminded him that i'd need my purse.  so we backed up, got the purse, and then sped off to the hospital. 
my wonderful loving husband pushed on his hazard lights and sped all the way to the hospital, passing [at least] 2 cops, and running only one red light.  we arrived and got rushed up and admitted to labor & delivery at 1:36.  at that time i was dilated to a 7.  i informed me that my birth plan was just a joke and that if they really wanted to save my life, they'd have to give me an epidural as quick as possible.  well, someone must've been listening because by some miracle the anesthesisist (sp?) was in my room waiting for the nurses to put in hep-lock iv.  then, the other miracle, was that he was able to administer the epidural while i was in the laying position!  (the miracle in that act is that if he couldn't have done that, i'm sure that i would be paralyzed or dead from trying to get it inserted while sitting up with those contractions piggy-backing with the highest intensity possible!)  anyway, the epidural was administered by 2pm and by 2:12 i felt tremendous relief.  sigh.  i COULD do this!  i didn't have to die. 
my water broke during a check of my cervix and a light green color was detected.  :(  this meant that i might not be able to hold my sweet blessing right away.  however, my husband was catching... so i wasn't devastated...  :)
at about 3:45 we got notice that my dr was on her way over.  at 3:52 my dr checked me and confirmed that i was complete (at 10 cm dilated and 100% effaced and at station 0) and ready to start pushing.  as they tore down the bed, i started to feel the urges.  i had 3-4 contractions, pushed 3 times each contraction, and had my sweet buttercup on my tummy at 4:08pm. 
am i disappointed that i chose to not have this baby naturally?  absolutely not.  i didn't choose meds... i chose life!
buttercup was born, friday, march 23, 2012 at 4:08pm, weighed in at a mere 9 pounds and 5.2 ounces.  her head circumference was 14 inches.  she looks balder than a q-ball... but she has a thick head of short, fine, blond hair.  her nose is great big, smashed all fat, and long.  she has fingers and toes of a 2-year-old, but placed on newborn hands and feet.  they're not at all fat... but they're SURE long!  when she was born, her little cheeks were so chunky and pinch-able... but 24 hours later, she's all unswollen and back down to normal.  no fat rolls on her arms or legs anymore.  :(   she's a beautiful little gal!  i'm completely blessed to introduce you to her:



Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

41 weeks

How far along? 41 Weeks

Total weight gain: i lost 2 pounds from last week.  bringing me up to approximately 21-31 lbs gained (since the beginning of this pregnancy) and up to about 51-56lbs over what i should be as a normal healthy 30-y-o woman (that isn't pregnant). 

Maternity clothes:  these questions are silly!  so, i'll tell you what i've decided to wear today:  my olive green maternity shirt with some denim capri's.  slip on shoes. 

Stretch marks:  i believe they're coming in.  it's hard for me to tell you for sure that they're "new" stretch marks, but again this week my belly was all itchy, so i think i gained some new ones above my belly button around the front of my abdomen.  

Sleep:  i had a great night of sleep last night!  so i'd have to say, again, just fine.  i sleep.  i love our new down comforter.  it's perfect hot/cold-wise.    
Best moment this week:  i loved being able to watch my big miss perform in her drama production last saturday... 2 days after my due date.  God is good!!!!!

Miss anything:  yes, yes i miss some things.
Movement:  she had a huge moving party yesterday after quiet time.  it created QUITE uncomfortableness to me.  as in, i was groaning and moaning in pain.  i hope she didn't flip up-side-down, but it felt like she did... about 3 times, as well as 2 sets of 10 jumping jacks and 2 sets of 5 push-ups!
Food craving:  nope.  nothing.  not much of an appetite either.  but don't worry, i'm still eating.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  notta.
Gender: girl 
Labor Signs:  lots of contractions each day, but still sporadic and completely irregular.    

Symptoms:  no more heartburn, contractions every day, a large and heavy pregnant belly, sore back from the large and heavy belly, cervix pain with the contractions if i'm up on my feet, energy loss, butt-hook, shortness of breath, and complete lack of motivation almost all of the time, swollen ankles and feet some days... but nothin' worth complaining about.
Belly Button in or out?  i don't know.  i can't see it.
Wedding rings on or off? on. 

Happy or Moody most of the time:  happy, but with twinges of unexpected and unpredictable grumps throughout each day.   
Looking forward to:  meeting my little sweet growing buttercup!!!!

and here are the dr's stats:

i'm dilated to about 4cm, still 75% effaced and soft/ready.  the little one is stationed at a -2.  her heart rate was ranging from 120-150 today as they monitered me for about 10 minutes.  she guessed i'll naturally go into labor within the next couple days and as she was walking out the door informed me that she stripped my membranes.  i'm trying not to be irate, and just trust in God that He made my body well enought that even when people jerk around with me (stripping my membranes and whatnot), He'll keep preparing my body to deliver her naturally in His time and in her due time.  we'll just wait and see.   
i got to see a little sneak peek of her chubby little cheeks today.  i'll tell you what, she's no 7 pounder!  but, i'll keep whispering that she is, in my ear, to raise my confidence level in myself.  i can do it.  i CAN do it.  i CAN DO IT!!!!!!

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

how are you feeling?

lots of women complain about this question throughout their pregnancy.  up until now though, i've found an answer that truthfully tells, without letting out TMI...  because they don't really want to know too much.  the answer is "fine".  i know, i know... it's a totally obscure answer.  but it works.
lately though, it seems that people want to know more.  more than fine.  so, my recent honest answer has been "normal".  because for whatever reason, everyone thinks i should be completely miserable.  i'm not.  i feel "fine"... or, "normal".
this afternoon i've been having some hurts and pains.  maybe some contractions here and there, but mostly buttercup is shifting and moving around for some reason and she's making me uncomfortable.  we'll see if this amounts to anything or if it's just another part of my pregnancy.
<3

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

gratituesday : contractions

in case you didn't know, "A uterine contraction is a muscle contraction of the uterine smooth muscle."  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterine_contraction).

during the woman's menstrual cycle, "The uterus frequently contracts throughout the entire menstrual cycle, and these contractions have been termed endometrial waves or contractile waves.^[1] These appear to involve only the sub-endometrial layer of the myometrium.^[1] In the early follicular phase, these contractions occur once or twice per minute and last 10–15 seconds with a low amplitude of usually 30 mmHg.^[1] The frequency increases to 3–4 per minute towards ovulation. During the luteal phase, the frequency and amplitude decrease, possibly to facilitate any implantation.
If implantation does not occur, the frequency remains low, but the amplitude increases dramatically to between 50 and 200 mmHg producing labor-like contractions at the time of menstruation.^[1] These contractions are sometimes termed menstrual cramps,^[2] although that term is often used for menstrual pain in general. These contractions may be uncomfortable or even painful, but they are generally significantly less painful than contractions during labour. A hot water bottle or exercising has been found to help.
A shift in the myosin expression of the uterine smooth muscle has been hypothesized to avail for changes in the directions of uterine contractions that are seen during the menstrual cycle.^" 
during pregnancy and "In obstetrics, a contraction may refer specifically to the motion of the uterus^[3] as part of the process of childbirth. Contractions, and labour in general, is one condition that releases the hormone oxytocin into the body. Contractions become longer as labour intensifies.
Prior to actual labour, women may experience Braxton Hicks contractions, sometimes known as "false labour."
and lastly, in intercourse, "The uterus and vagina contract during female orgasm to encourage male semen to reach the fallopian tubes. These contractions may not be noticed by all women; pregnant women are more likely to notice these contractions by late 2nd and 3rd trimesters."

being female, i'm thankful for all three different types of contractions women experience.  lately though, i'm thankful for the second type listed most of all.  my uterus is doing what God designed it to do during this stage of my pregnancy.  they may hurt, but i know they're for the good.  i'm so glad my body is following His order...

(all information in quotes comes from the wikipedia site, sited at the top of this page)
Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

my birth plan (read on at your own risk)

what's my birth plan look like? 

well, it looks a lot like the below one with more info (such as names and stuff that was left out for our privacy).  i also cut off the top, which states our family name's birth plan, our dr's name, and both otter pop's and my name. 

We have put together a simple birth plan so that you can know our wishes in this birthing experience at [hospital of our choice].  What we’d like, is for this experience to go smooth and leave us with an awesome memory.  We would prefer to have a more natural-centered childbirth and would appreciate having our nurse support us with this goal.  I TOTALLY understand that I will need to be flexible in my wishes if something unexpected happens.

I have an issue with my heart (PSVT), that when it starts pumping, it just keeps going faster and faster until it isn’t doing anything because it’s pumping so fast.  I have been seeing [insert cardiologist's name here] this pregnancy because it has been triggered a lot.  I am currently taking .5mg of Digoxin each evening.  I met with [cardiologist] last on March 6 and she was confident that I shouldn’t have any troubles in labor or delivery.  However, she is available if we need her. 

Before delivery, and during my laboring, I would really like a lot of freedom.  I would like to try and think that I could possibly be comfortable in my labor.  Purposely I am going to stay at home for as much of my labor process as possible because I don’t want to be tied to my bed.  Whether the freedom is me snacking, or walking around, or dancing, or whatever, I would appreciate being given this freedom.  I would like to use oil and warm compresses in the vaginal area before birth, to help soften and ready the tissues.  Hopefully that might decrease my need for an episiotomy.

I would prefer that my labor NOT be forced, nor “improved”, nor speeded up by the use of Pitocin.  Also, I would ask that my membranes be left alone.  Please refrain from artificially rupturing of the membranes at any time during my pregnancy.  I believe they will rupture when they’re ready to and that that process will help assist in a quicker delivery.  Instead, I would rather use natural methods to assist (nipple stimulation, pressure points, massage, etc.).  Along those lines, I would like to avoid using pain medication and an epidural.  IF the decision is changed and I am given an epidural, I would appreciate the consideration of NOT being given a precautionary dose of Ephedra just in case my blood pressure drops.  It triggers my heart to start pumping… and then we’ll have another issue! 

I would like to use whatever position that I find most comfortable to give birth in (on my side, squatting, on my hands and knees, etc.) and would also like my husband the opportunity to assist in the delivery, if the situation is right.  He would like to cut the umbilical cord.

We are so excited to meet this little girl!!!!!!  Directly after the delivery, I would love to have my daughter laid directly on my skin so that we can bond, first off, and so that she can be warmed with my skin to her skin.  I would love to hold her and snuggle her and have some bonding time before she is taken to have her stats charted.  Please inform us of any procedure that is needed for our baby. 

Lastly, we have a photographer [insert photographer's name here] that is scheduled to come document this sweet baby girl’s entrance into this world.  She plans on being unnoticed and as out-of-the-way as possible, but I really want her to be able to document as much as she can.  Please let her know if she is in the way and where she can be so that she’s not in your way but still able to take part in this amazing miracle. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and consider my wishes.

Physician Reviewed______________________________________________  Date__________

my dr is great enough to allow me the birth that i wish.  she has been practicing long enough that she WANTS her patients to have a happy memory and is willing (unlike a slew of other ob's) to release the amount of control she could have... to help her patients be happy. 

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

on with my lists...

what's in HER bag?  (in no particular order)

i packed her bag as i would pack a diaper bag minus a ton of diapers and plus a ton of clothes.  here's what i keep in our diaper bag: 

here's my new diaper bag that i picked up for free at a clothing swap! 
it's cuddled nicely in our new car seat that i also got for swapping some clothes... 
i love people who think like me!!!!

1. clothes.  i packed the bag shortly after the kidney stone / delivery scare, and i was at 36 weeks... so i was optimistic enough to think that she MIGHT fit into some newborn clothes.  and i haven't taken them out, but i did add a 0-3mo. outfit or two...  usually i carry around one extra outfit.
2. a pacifier.
3. wipes.  we don't use them at home, but we sure do in the diaper bag!!!
4. meds.  (gas drops, tylenol, ibuprofen.  we obviously won't be using them on such a little tot... but they're always in my bag!)
5. burp rag.
6. diapers (about 5) and 1-2 covers.
7. a plastic bag to wrap the wet or soiled diaper in.
8. a changing pad.
9. nursing cover.
10. an extra nursing bra. 
11. nursing pads.
12. an extra shirt for me in case i leak on my shirt.
13. some safety pins.
14. an extra diaper clip.
15. fingernail snippers.
16. baby/toddler entertainment.
17. a little pad of paper.
18. the nose-sucker-outer-thingy.
19. diaper cream.
20. nipple ointment... which also works on diaper rash, and dry skin, and lots of other things!
21. baby blanket (i actually still have to dig these out and pack some!)

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

the beginning of my lists

list numero uno:
what's in my hospital bag?  (in NO particular order)

1. dum dum suckers.  my doula -last time- said that some mom's find a pressure point at the roof of their mouth that when they suck on dum dum suckers in a certain way, that pressure point is pressed and relief is felt.  we bought a bunch of dum dums for jones' valentine cards, so i thought it wouldn't hurt to try.  ---i won't think of them as "desserts" though!  ;)
2. hard candy = lemon drops.  in case my mouth gets dry.  lemon will surely pucker it back up and i LOVE lemon drops.  ---again, not as a dessert though!
3. lavendar oil.  it's supposed to be a calming and relaxing scent.
4. laptop.  to update friends and family with news and pictures sooner than after i leave the hospital.  ...since we don't have a phone that's any smarter than a phone.
5. birth plan.  i didn't mention march 29th in it, but that's also in my plan. 
6. some soft cozy socks and some not-skid slippers.
7. warm robe or sweater (still haven't packed)
8. lip balm.  i've always packed this because everyone recommends it.  i've never used it... yet.
9. pen and paper (still not packed.  unsure that i will.  but i do have a pad of paper and pen in my purse... and i'll most likely have that with me.)
10. camera, batteries, and cord.  (i'm going to try my darnedest to get that out the door with me, but i CAN'T put it out there already!)
11. shampoo and conditioner.  thank goodness my honey just took a trip so i have some convenient travel sized containers to pack!
12. a book.  heaven is for real.  just in case...  when i was in the hospital with starboy there was the swine flu (H1N1 virus) going around.  the hospitals had completely changed their rules for NO KIDS to visit and only IMMEDIATE adult family members.  it was a lonely stay.  i could've used a book!
13. rolling pin or tennis balls or rice pack.  i went with the rice pack.  and i MADE myself a cute new one out of some old dinosaur jammies of jones.  it says "bad attitude" on it.  :)  ---the hand rails at the hospital all are a PERFECT height for my lower back, so no rolling pin needed!  and the only tennis balls we have have dog drool all over them and i won't touch them with anything other than my shoe. 
14. an orange. 

conveniently my hospital bag was tipped over in the back of "the thingamajigger" (our van),
so you can see its contents fairly well this way! 

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

prep prep prep

so i guess i need to start making preparations for this little one's arrival.  you know, now that she's due to come any minute...
last week i packed my hospital bag and her new little diaper bag i got. 
i have her car seat ready.
i'm making a phone list... if you want to be on it, email me your name and number and i'll call you sometime after she's born.

also, i need to write down a good agenda or "what we do" planner, so that my kids can stay in their routine as much as possible and hopefully nothing gets overlooked (like picking up jones from school each day!)

i never got around to getting to the grocery store peeled my butt off the couch and went grocery shopping this week.  but i was thinking, "man, if i have this baby and someone comes over to take care of the kiddos... they're not going to have any idea what to feed the poor starving children." 
so... on to my next "prep" step.  tonight i'm going to take my menu for the week, go shopping to double most items, hope that i'm able to make them all, and get some food in the freezer.  in case i don't (make it 'till next week), i'm going to post my menu WITH the recipes printed out right next to them for my kid-watch-helper-person.  how's that sound???
now... if that sounds a little too controlling, i need another plan for the next week's menu / grocery run.  what do you suggest?!  i'd love to be able to just completely stock my refrigerator and freezer and pantry... but we live on a budget.  our pantry is stock-able (and usually is stocked fairly well), but what about perishable food?!  whenever i buy just "stuff"... things go to waste and i HATE to waste food!  i need ideas people...

and then, what else?  what else am i forgetting to plan???

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

40 weeks

How far along? 40 Weeks

Total weight gain: i'm now up 5 pounds from last visit and that just doesn't make sense because i'm eating less and less...  but whatever.  my appointment was an hour later than usual and i had a big sweatshirt on.  those are the only variables that i can think of.  so, that brings me up to 23-33 lbs gained and up to about 53-57lbs over what i should be as a normal healthy 30-y-o woman (that isn't pregnant). 

Maternity clothes:  still yes and it seems like i'm hanging out of them, but they don't fit right.  they are kinda big up top... and then not quite long enough (somehow).  i guess she's hangin' low...  and as for the pants, they just won't stay up for the life of me!!! 
Stretch marks:  i think i spotted a new one on the side, but now i can't find it again.   Sleep:  fine.  i sleep.  we got some new bedding and i like the comforter.  it's all comfortable.    
Best moment this week:  getting the sneak peak at my maternity photos.  well... the photo session was really awesome too.  i guess maybe it was a tie.  it was RAD that i got to see the pictures just hours after taking them...  i mean, do you know ANYONE ELSE that has had that speed?!   
Miss anything:  gumption.  i had some on tuesday and it was SO NICE to not have my butt glued to the couch all day.  i need to find some more.
Movement:  she moves when she wants to.  she rests when she wants to.  i just love this little bun in my oven and can't wait to meet her!   
Food craving:  just desserts and i'm pretty sure that's 'cause i'm fasting from them.
Anything making you queasy or sick:  not a thing. 
Gender: girl
Labor Signs:  several contractions each day, but sporadic and completely irregular.    Symptoms: no more heartburn, some contractions every day, a large and heavy pregnant belly, sore back from the large and heavy belly, cervix pain with the contractions if i'm up on my feet, energy loss, butt-hook, shortness of breath, and complete lack of motivation... but nothin' worth complaining about.
Belly Button in or out?  did you see any of my maternity photos???  it's out!
Wedding rings on or off? on. 
Happy or Moody most of the time:  moody this week.  the girls ask me each night to sleep well so i'm not so grouchy tomorrow.  :( 
Looking forward to:  make it through another week to prepare my body and mind for this delivery that's coming up.  i'm SOOOOOOOO looking forward to meeting my little growing buttercup!!!!

and here are the dr's stats:

i'm dilated to about 3cm, still 75% effaced and soft/ready.  the little one is stationed at a -3.  her heart rate was at 145 today.  she guessed i'll naturally go into labor within the next week... we'll just wait and see though. 

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

monday menu #8 for 2012

this week we will plan as well as possible.  i should make doubles of whatever i do make, to re-fill my freezer because last month we ran out of grocery money and had to start digging into those delicious meals i had made for post-baby time.  i've been reassured by friends though that we won't go without food (post-baby)... so i'm not worrying.  however, whether or not i'll actually double the meals... we'll have to just wait and see.

here's my menu for the week:

• meatloaf with sliced bakers and granny green beans
• chicken tortilla soup
• egg salad sandwiches with chips --i've actually never had egg salad sandwhiches before, much less made them, so if you have a great recipe... one that can't be beat... leave it in the comments.  my hubby said he LOVES egg salad sandwiches. 
• sloppy joes (made with my bbq sauce) with green salad or ceasar salad
• yogart chicken bake (tweaked with yogurt instead of mayo) with mashed potaters and ... hm... how about carrots!?!
• cheesy chicken and rice casserole
• 4-ingredient pizza bake

i'm thinking several of those should be VERY easy to double... but the last three items are new ones...  hmph.  maybe i'll just chance it!  like i said, we'll see....  we'll see....


Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

sneak peek

i had my maternity photo shoot yesterday and i am beyond excited to get to see the pix, the babe, and share them all with you.  i had an awesome time.  it was so fun.  we went to this perfect outdoor idaho location.  and she got some amazing shots.  it really really was so fun.  i love taking pictures!  i am so excited and really can't wait, but i'll have to and until then... here's a mini peek-a-boo into what the photographer got when she dropped me back home:

wolfie was at a babysitting job, but that's alright because i can't picture her posing for any of these shots with me...  i'll have to ask her tonight and see if we can add another just for memory's sake. 
memory... hm... that's a pretty name!

if you're local and pregnant, i really recommend you looking into birth photography and hiring this photographer.  she's a strong christian who has recently discovered her calling in photography = birth photography.  it might be an awkward thought at first... but if you think about it (and go to some sights -click on the first "birth photography" link in this paragraph- to see how amazing it is), i'm sure it won't take you long to realize that it's an awesome investment in order to capture a miracle of a memory that can't be honestly captured by anyone other than an outsider.  when you're birthing your babe, it's completely inconvenient to be taking pictures!!!  and if you request your husband, or personal family take them... they're not only missing out on the memory (because they're behind the camera), but they're missing in the photos too!  i'm so excited to have this opportunity to have buttercup's birth be preserved by photography by a great gal who's amazing at what she loves to do!!!!! 

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

39 weeks

How far along? 39 Weeks

Total weight gain: down one more pound from last visit (two weeks ago).  that brings me up approximately 17-27lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight, and up to about 47-52lbs over what i should be as a normal healthy 30-y-o woman (that isn't pregnant). 

Maternity clothes? mostly long sleeved t-shirts and jeans, but yes... from the maternity section.  also trying --as weather permits-- to wear slip-on shoes! 
Stretch marks? perhaps.  i can't see the bottom half of my belly AT ALL.  even in the mirror i have to lean WAY back to see the underside and even then i can't see very well because i'm bent backwards.  i wore some pants the other day that i thought i'd have to have someone help me do up because even though they were maternity, they weren't pull-up elastic-type.  i made sure and didn't un-do them in the bathroom though because it really was difficult for me to get them done up!(and then today i actually DID have to have help getting some pants done-up because of 4 stupid do-hickeys -2 buttons PLUS 2 hook-and-eye clasps!-  they had as to clasp them shut!)
Sleep:  still rather mediocre.  since my husband has been gone for the last 4 nights ( i usually miss him like crazy in bed because i LOVE to co-sleep), i've found that having the WHOLE bed and ALL the pillows for my perusal has been rather nice.  i still miss him like crazy... but not so much at night.   
Best moment this week: meeting our birth photographer and getting ready for a maternity session with her too.  i am SO SO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!  all of that has been such a blessing for us especially since our camera broke! 
Miss Anything? stamina.
Movement: in the past few days she's been resting way more than she normally did.  there will be times when i'll start rubbing around on my belly to make sure she's still doing alright in there.  i'm sure she's smartly resting for her big show she's featuring in here in the next month or so.   
Food craving:  nope.  although i think i could eat salt and vinegar almonds any time of day or night and be happy about it.  i'm not CRAVING them, but they're always a good snack. 
Anything making you queasy or sick:  not a thing.  well, ok, wait.  i head a story about a dog that got mastitis and developed a golf-ball sized lump on one of her teats that was full of puss.  it was red and swollen and starting to get oozy.  and that made me queasy!  in fact, i almost barfed. 
Gender: girl
Labor Signs:  a few contractions this week since my labor coach was away.  sharp and painful, but sporadic and completely irregular.    
Symptoms: a little heartburn (not much at all), a few contractions every day, a large and heavy pregnant belly, a very sore hip every morning and is starting to continue throughout the day, crotch pain -off and on-, cervix pain every once in a while, a little swollen feet (barely), sore achy back, energy loss, shortness of breath if i'm up and about a lot, no desire to bend down, lack of motivation... but nothin' worth complaining about. 
Belly Button in or out? hmmm.  it's a close call.  NOT.  out.
Wedding rings on or off? on. 
Happy or Moody most of the time:  happy, but i'm starting to see the seas a-changing.  in the past day or so, i've starting to see myself get edgy with the kids when normally i wouldn't...
Looking forward to:  getting completely ready for this sweet little girl's arrival through the studying and practicing of the Bradley method and exercises.  also, REALLY looking forward to my maternity session this sunday evening!  also, REALLY REALLY looking forward to my hubby-dubs coming home tonight!!!

 

and here are the two-week-awaited stats you've been looking forward to:

i'm dilated another full cm for sure, up to 2-2.5.  75% effaced.  she's still head down -for sure- and down further than last time (last time remember she's still pretty "floaty" or something like that?)... this time she said when she pushed on the head it didn't float back up but stayed put down low.  i'm not surprised at this since it seems like my belly has gotten very heavy this past week (creating much more back pain)!  i'm measuring right at 39 weeks and her guess at the baby's size was about 7-7.5 pounds.  ---i told her to just keep telling me that.  i can believe her.  she does this ALL DAY EVERY DAY!  ---even though that's what she said with starboy just about a week or less before he was born (at a healthy 9lb 14oz).  when i looked at her doubtfully, she said with him,  "maybe 8lb... but nothin' bigger than that!!!"  but don't worry... that doesn't make me doubt her this time.  i'm SURE she's right this time!!!  7-7.5lb.  that's fine.  i can do that!!!

 

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

ketchup

i have some catching up to do here in blog land.  it's quiet time though, so what better to do?! 
first is yesterday's post about last week's family fun adventure (using up the last of my downloaded pictures), then this one, and lastly: my monday menu post.
first, i'll start off with something that i learned.  i got an email today that stated march is National Peanut Month.  so, i agree with them that it's the perfect time to share amazing recipes using peanut butter.  whether your sweet tooth is craving brownies, bars, or cookies there's sure to be something in this peanutty list you'll love.  or maybe it isn't a sweet tooth at all, and you can share some yummy healthy meals with peanut butter added!  (even though all of these listed don't look like links... they are.  don't be afraid.)

1. Bake Not, Worry Not, Peanut Butter Bars — So easy! Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge — Just want to eat it all
3. Classic No Bake Peanut Butter Bon Bons — Love
4. Peanut Butter and Banana Cookies — Perfect combo
5. Mouthwatering Peanut Butter Cookies —  So freaking good 
6. Double Peanut Butter Cake — Peanut Butter lovers unite!
7. Easy 15-Minute Peanut Butter Fudge — Scrumptious
8. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie — Yummy!
9. Grandma's Classic Peanut Butter Cookies — Favorite 
10. Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie —  So simple
11. Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies — Classic taste
12. No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls — Truly the best!
13. Amish Peanut Butter — Old fashioned 
14. No-Fail Bake Sale Peanut Butter Cookies — The best
15. Perfect No Bake Peanut Butter Balls — A favorite

and now onto something else:  my thoughts.

otter pop left for his last business trip of this winter yesterday morning.  he's only one time zone away this time and thankfully he's getting home thursday night (friday early morning) instead of friday night (early saturday morning), like the others.  i got really nervous last night that i might go into labor during the night.  no symptoms or signs... just going off of murphy's law.  but then i remembered that my brother and sister-in-law said they'd be in town 'till wednesday, so that calmed my nerves.  when i called my sister-in-law, (i'll call her "nicole") right before bed to remind her to be on call and answer her phone in the middle of the night, she informed me that they're leaving town today (monday) instead...  eek!  so i hope murphy is lawfully wrong this week and that i don't have the baby while her daddy is out of town!  i don't think i will, but man this girl feels HUGE. 

this pregnancy reminds me a lot of my pregnancy with binkins.  of course i'm about 20-30 pounds heavier and almost a decade older (give or take), but i guess the span between starboy and buttercup was enough for me to build back some "normality" to my abdomen.  there is absolutely NOTHING between my skin and my huge uterus.  i can see EVERY SINGLE MOVE she makes and i'm starting to get deformed because she's growing so big that i'm not as round as i am bumpy with her little shoulders and heels and elbows and whatever else she sticks out of her "circle" home. 

she's funny too, that she really plops on over to the side when i lay down.  when i get back up, i have this big lump over to the side of me... it takes her a while to get back to the center.  or, it hurts to roll over to the other side while she takes her time to adjust to the move. 

also, a difference with her and the others is that she's reaching all the way up to my ribs.  i've heard other pregnant women talk about getting kicked in the ribs, but never experienced it personally.  i think my torso must be long enough that my others have had plenty of room staying away from most of my skeletal system.  well, buttercup will every once in a while pry a little boney something up under my rib cage.  it DOES hurt!  (they weren't kidding!)  and i'm really glad my others left me alone up there!!!  on the flip side, she also will sick something boney down by my pelvic bones and try to tickle me.  THAT feels weird too!!!  i'm just wondering how long this girl actually is!  either she's gonna be about 24-25in. long... or she's just a real active mover and stretcher. 

i wonder what she's gonna look like.  i wonder if she'll have lots of hair like boo and starboy did when they were born.  i wonder if she'll have binkins and jones' ears or ones more like starboy and boo's.  i wonder if she's going to have cute little feet like jones.  i hope she's sweet like my others...  <3  i'm wondering all these things, but really i'm not ready yet.  so, i hope she stays put for a few more weeks! 

i decided that i hope she's born the last week or march, or in april.  that's when i'll be ready for her.  also, i'm completely terrified of labor and delivery.  i'm trying to learn everything i can about how to relax and be calm and relax my body so that she can come out nice and natural ---like how God created me to do it. 

these are all my current thoughts... or a lot of them, at least.  since otter pop's not here, i'll share them with you.  also, i'm wondering what we'll call the little girl.