Welcome Baby Lucy!

When a baby wants to come into the world, there is no stopping him or her! 

Two weeks before her due date, and one week before my scheduled c-section (my prior baby was delivered c-section because she was breeched), I started having contractions in the middle of the night.  Not a big deal at first since I’ve been having Braxton Hicks contractions for several weeks.

But unlike other times, these contractions were steady each hour and at 3:00 a.m., they started increasing in intensity too.  Oh boy, I thought, this could be it! 

I had just packed my hospital bag that same day and I had done my last minute shopping that same day (diapers, etc) and purchased small gifts for my kids from their new baby sister.  God knew I would be going into labor because at least those things got done!  I checked into triage at the hospital.  Yes I was having contractions and was 3 cm dilated.  Everything moved very quickly from there.  I arrived at about 4:00 am, and by 6:00 am, I was on the operating table, and by 6:44 am, I was looking at a beautiful, chalky looking, baby girl!

Now the fun part I haven’t told you about is that my husband missed the birth of the baby.  No, we’re not military, but my husband flew to the East Coast for 2 days to attend his grandmother’s funeral.  We figured it was a little risky, but with the due date 2 weeks away, we thought it would all right. 

Just hours after he left, I went into labor.  I’m happy to say that God provided everything we both needed.  Peace and calm even though we were apart and the circumstances were not what we expected!  My dad came with me into the operating room and my mom watched our kids.  Everything went smoothly except of course, I missed my husband terribly in the hospital.  I stayed at the hospital for 3 days, and thankfully, my hubby made it to the hospital before I was discharged. 

Now Lucy has her own dramatic birth story!   She came into the world as my husband was saying goodbye to his 88 year old grandmother.  It is the circle of life from the cradle to the grave.  God is with us throughout the journey of life and His presence can make each moment sweet, whether in birth or death.    

Surviving Partial Bed Rest During Pregnancy

Being on partial bed rest during pregnancy has its ups and downs.  Of course, there are times you want to smash the clock, be done with your resting and get on with life!  But back to the ups and downs…

Ups:

• Enjoy sleeping now, you won’t be sleeping much after baby is born.
• This is payback for all the times you’ve have to stay up late to do work, clean, bake, etc.
• When else can you have an excuse to read novels and watch movies in the daytime?
• You can listen to audio books and have a “Bedrest University” experience.  You’ll be much smarter when you emerge from your slumber!
• You can talk on the phone to longlost friends, or write handwritten notes (imagine that!)
• You can pray and read your Bible.  God is the friend who’s always available to talk. 

Downs:

• You feel useless.
• You have to arrange schedules to make sure your kids are taken care of (if you have kids already).
• Your house is probably a mess (but to be honest, my house was a mess before I had to lie down).
• You long for outdoor adventures (a trip to Walmart).
• The days are running into each other and you want a diversion! 

There’s a season for everything so remember, THIS TOO SHALL PASS!  Try to think of one thing different to do each day, whether it’s reading something new or putting on a fragrant hand lotion.   Play games with your kids in bed.  Keep a thanksgiving journal and write down 3 things each day you’re grateful for.   Set goals for the next year.  Listen to inspirational/encouraging podcasts (like Losing Weight After Baby).

Your time in bed doesn’t have to be wasted.  There are ways to enjoy your pajama time!

Thank You Dear Husband!

I must say thank you to my dear husband for all of his wonderful help during my pregnancy!!!

Since Labor Day, I’ve had pain on my left side, under my belly, where the doctors think my baby is stretching out my ligaments.  When I stand for too long, the pain is so bad, but when I lie on my side, the pain goes away almost immediately.  It doesn’t take a surgeon to conclude what I’ve been doing for weeks…lying on my side…a lot!

You know as a mom, that’s not the ideal position to care for a 5 and 2 year old! 

So I must thank my hero husband who has taken my son to kindergarten, brought the kids to the park in the early evening to play, fixed countless meals and washed an amazing amount of dishes.  Like right now, he’s got the kids with him doing real estate errands (he’s a super realtor) and I’m about to lie down. 

In the morning, he gets up and gets the kids breakfast.  He closes our bedroom door quietly so I can get more sleep, because he knows I was up 4 times that night to pee and that 50% of the time, I can’t get back to sleep.

Thank you sweet husband for being so helpful, supportive, and happy as he does it.  He makes parenting look fun because guess what?  It is!

37 Weeks and Counting

My 2 year old daughter is so cute.  She says that she wants to be a doctor so she can help “mommy and the baby.”  The other day, she took a stick and pointed it to my belly and said, “I am going to take the baby out!”  She also says there’s a baby in her tummy too. 

So far, I think she’s going to like being a big sister as long as she’s involved.  I can see it already though, the clashes over, “Put the baby DOWN!” and “I want to hold the baby!”  This is part of life with siblings right? 

I am an only child so I never had to deal with sharing my mom or dad with anyone or sharing a room.  But I also missed out on playing with siblings and all the great fun that my 5 & 2 year old have together whether they’re racing each other, playing with cars and dinosaurs, or jumping up and down to music. 

My c-section is scheduled for mid-October so  it won’t be long now.  I’m hoping to get another time slot because the surgery is at 3:00 pm and I don’t want to fast that long and be miserable going into the c-section.  My last pregnancy was c-section so that’s why I’m having another.  I’m not looking forward to the recovery period and being so immobile for the first week or two.  I remember last time my husband helping me to get out of bed and lay down in bed gently since my abdomen area hurt so much.  Do you remember too moms-who-have-had-c-sections? 

About how long did it take you to walk around?  Drive again?  Exercise?

Transitioning Your Toddler to a New Room

Here’s my sweet 2 year old sleeping in her crib for one of the last times.  We have one of those cribs that converts into a toddler bed by removing one of the sides.  She’s been in that all her life, about 34 months.  Now that baby sister is coming to occupy that crib, she’s moving into big brothers room next door. 

My hubby and I thought about how to make the transition smooth and fun for both our son and daughter.   First, we decided we better do it a few weeks before baby arrives so they are both used to it before having another major change.  Also, that would lessen the feelings of “the new intruder” kicking me out of my room.

My mom had the brilliant idea of bringing a tent into the room to make it fun (whenever the kids visit my parents, they love pretending to sleep in this tent).  So my mom gave us the tent and we put a mattress inside.  We renamed the room “Camp Crazy” and had a big grand opening party.  It was a huge success!  My son didn’t seem to mind having a guest in his room, and my daughter loved the idea of going into the tent.  They’ve been sleeping together for about a week so far, and no fits or crying from either of them.  We are proud, thrilled, and relieved.

There are times when my daughter says, “I want to go back to my old room” and my heart goes out to her.  She used to have her whole room, but now she has a tent in her brother’s room.  I suppose it’s good to learn how to downsize and be flexible – even if you’re two! 

But see…she looks happy enough roughing it, don’t you think? 

No Cookies Mom!

I was in the grocery store with my 5 and 2 year old.  Right as you walked in the door, there was a table full of cookies for 10 cents each from the bakery.  They were sold in packages of 18.  This was a no brainer for this pregnant momma!  18 cookies for $1.80 baked from the bakery – I was in! 

There was only one question:  oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip?

To my utter amazement, when I asked my 5 year old which one I should choose, he said with all seriousness, “I don’t think we should buy cookies mom.” 

“What?”

“We shouldn’t eat cookies mom.”

I was so shocked (my kids are human and like treats too!) that I put the cookies right back.  Isn’t it funny when the positive influence comes from the kids and not the moms?  It was a crowning moment in the grocery store (although I have still been thinking about those cookies!).

I May Be Smiling, But My Baby is Kicking My Abs!

Yes, I am happy that my baby is kicking a lot.  It’s a wonderful reassurance that she’s in there and doing well.  But ever since Labor Day (so appropriate!), she has been kicking HARD!  Not the “oooh, it’s so cute to feel her flutter in there.”  It’s the “OW!  Who punched me in the belly?”  She did it just now as I’m typing the little comedian!

So when I went to the doctor and told her I had cramping on my left side toward the bottom of my belly, she explained the baby was probably stretching a particular ligament, and to try to lay on one side or just get in a more comfortable position when that happened.  She told me not to worry about the localized cramping, and to be more concerned with contractions. 

It’s nice to have the reassurance that everything’s okay.  You would think I would remember from prior pregnancies, but this little one seems a lot more forceful than my others.  She must be ready to make her entrance into the world!

Baby Girl Names

The ultrasound shows we’re having a girl, but I never totally count on that until the baby actually arrives!  My daughter wanted to name her “Brownie” but that’s out   Giggles and Bubbles were also talked about. 

Assuming we’re having a girl in 7 weeks, what names do you like the best from this list? 

• Sabrina
• Sarah
• Faith
• Kate
• Jade
• Lucy

Swollen Feet During Pregnancy – What to Do?

Okay friends…it’s hot out.  We don’t have AC.  Most weeks of the year, this is just fine, but for about 5-8 weeks in August and September it gets pretty hot in my house.  Thankfully as I type I have a fan pointed to my body and am feeling comfy.  Except for that feeling in my feet.  My sausage-like swollen feet! 

Being 33 weeks pregnant in the heat isn’t that much fun (I’m sure many of you can relate and remember this!).  It’s not too bad except for my puffy feet which ache and look absolutely ridiculous.  In past pregnancies, I’ve worn those tight socks you buy at the drugstore to keep my feet from becoming so swollen, but in the heat, I’ve left those in the closet.  Plus who wants to look like a baseball player wearing with knee high socks and shorts – ha!

So here are a few tips I’ve been reading up on that I wanted to share to reduce the puffiness in your feet:

• Put your feet up whenever possible (try a stool underneath your desk)
• Stretch your legs, rotate your ankles, wiggle your toes
• Don’t cross your legs or ankles while sitting
• Try not to stand or sit too long, mix it up
• Drink lots of water
• Eat healthy

Any other suggestions?

Are Your Girlfriends Making You Skinnier or Fatter?

I’m almost 32 weeks pregnant now and I’m content with my weight gain (which has been about 30 pounds).  It’s funny though, I find myself comparing myself to other pregnant women.  If I see other women who have gained more weight, I think “Phew, I’m doing really good!  Let me have a bowl of cookies and cream!” 

But if I see a really fit pregnant woman (like the one I saw yesterday at the doctor’s office), I think, “Wow, I better do one of those pregnancy workout videos!”

Isn’t it easy as a woman to compare yourself to other women?  We tend to see where we fall in comparison to our friends, and gauge our success based on that, instead of our own personal goals.

If your girlfriends love to eat fast food and are carrying an extra 10+ pounds, you’re going to feel pretty comfortable joining in the party.  But if your girlfriends eat veggies and run marathons for fun, you’re probably going to order differently (healthier) when you have lunch together.

Statistics show that your friends play a big part in your weight loss journey.  So ask yourself – are your friends (the ones you see most often) encouraging you to lose weight or to gain weight?  Of course, no one is going to say “Come on, let’s pig out and gain 5 pounds this month!”  But what do they say with their actions?  With their eating and exercise choices?  Do they have a victim mentality?  A sarcastic attitude about losing weight? 

If so, you may want to limit your meal times together until you reach your ideal size/weight.  Would that be a sacrifice?  Absolutely!  But when attempting to lose weight, do you need all the help you can get?  Absolutely!   

You want to be around friends (especially at meal, snack, and coffee time) who are going to encourage you to make wise choices!