This was supposed to be Dumpling's 1 month birthday letter but really she's 7.5 weeks now. This two kids thing is exhausting but I'm slowly getting it together.
Dumpling
It'd hard to believe that you've been in our life for over month already. You came into this world a little earlier than expected and had an unexpected extended hospital stay but on your two week birthday we finally got to bring you home. The Bean fell in love with you instantly and I think that two of you will be best friends growing up. Your oldest brother isn't a fan of tiny babies but he loves you, he'll just like you more when you're a little bigger. And Daddy, oh your daddy is wrapped around your finger already. There's something so special about a girl and her Dad.
These first few weeks have been blissful, with the holidays and family, and I know that there are challenging times to come because that's what being a parent is about ups and downs with their kids but I hope no matter what that you always remember I love you. You're the little girl I wished for and prayed for and not only me but Granddad and Nana too.
Forever & Always
Momma
Friday, January 4, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
35 Weeks, 3 Days
I started this post when Dumpling was 4 weeks and today she's 7 weeks. To say things have gotten hectic with a new little would be an understatement, throw in the holidays and there just haven't been enough hours in the day. However, without further delay, Dumpling's birth story.
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35 weeks, 3 days is how far along I was 2 days after my last post and the nite my water broke. More than 2 weeks earlier than I had expected and definitely sooner than I would have liked. I spent the entire day at work with out a single BH or contraction, of course the nite before I had tons of both but didn't think anything of it. I got home from work and took care of some things around the house and right after I'd switched out the Beans 18 months clothes for 24/2T clothes I stood up and felt a trickle. At first I thought nothing of it what with being 8.5 months pregnant and having a bladder the size of a pea then I got to the bathroom and sure enough my water broke, at 35 weeks & 3 days, I called Hubz then my Momma. I feel like I should have been a little scared, I mean 35 weeks that's pre-term, but the thought never crossed my mind. Dumpling was coming and there was nothing I could do about it but embrace it and get myself and the boys together because bag packing wasn't supposed to take place until the following weekend. Within about half an hour of talking to Hubz both our Moms were at the house, which was good because my contractions were making it hard for me to get things done, I was also a little overwhelmed since this was so unexpected. By the time Hubz showed up everyone was packed and the Moms each took a boy and we headed to the hospital, after a stop at the gas station since neither the car or truck had gas ... sitting while having contractions is NO BUENO! Luckily we missed rush hour and made it to the hospital in no time.
I'll never understand the point of pre-registering since I had to stand and answer questions and "check-in" once at the hospital. I also had to deal with a very well meaning volunteer constantly asking me if I was sure I didn't want a wheelchair, it was much easier for me to handle the contractions if I was standing. After what seemed like an hour we headed to triage, where they had to make sure I was in labor ...REALLY! We finally got to a L&D room and I finally got my epi, by that point I was 5 cm dilated, which had been my goal to reach before getting the epi. Once I had the epi it was pretty much smooth sailing from there. I progressed pretty steadily until I got to 8 cm at which point they gave me a little pitocin to help get things moving more steadily again. Finally, at about 530a on 14 November I was almost to 10 so the doctor had me start some practice pushes and apparently I was pretty good at it because when she returned to do some practice pushes with her in the room she said I was ready for the real thing. I started pushing for really, really at 630 and my precious baby girl was born at 644a. Weighing in at 5.5 and 18.5 in long she was smaller than her brother weight wise but they measured the same length. Of course as I expected she had some complications breathing and she would up in the NICU for what would become a 2 week stay.
She finally came home on 28 November and other than some reflux has had no issues. We had a rough time establishing breastfeeding, since she'd been on the bottle for the two weeks while she was in the NICU but it was breast milk but now we're smooth sailing. She's perfect, but I'm biased and the Bean is totally and completely in love with her. My parents are besides themselves because this is the first girl in 28 years, since my sisters were born. I'm still on maternity leave until February and now with the holidays over I'm going to enjoy these last few weeks just me and my girl.
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35 weeks, 3 days is how far along I was 2 days after my last post and the nite my water broke. More than 2 weeks earlier than I had expected and definitely sooner than I would have liked. I spent the entire day at work with out a single BH or contraction, of course the nite before I had tons of both but didn't think anything of it. I got home from work and took care of some things around the house and right after I'd switched out the Beans 18 months clothes for 24/2T clothes I stood up and felt a trickle. At first I thought nothing of it what with being 8.5 months pregnant and having a bladder the size of a pea then I got to the bathroom and sure enough my water broke, at 35 weeks & 3 days, I called Hubz then my Momma. I feel like I should have been a little scared, I mean 35 weeks that's pre-term, but the thought never crossed my mind. Dumpling was coming and there was nothing I could do about it but embrace it and get myself and the boys together because bag packing wasn't supposed to take place until the following weekend. Within about half an hour of talking to Hubz both our Moms were at the house, which was good because my contractions were making it hard for me to get things done, I was also a little overwhelmed since this was so unexpected. By the time Hubz showed up everyone was packed and the Moms each took a boy and we headed to the hospital, after a stop at the gas station since neither the car or truck had gas ... sitting while having contractions is NO BUENO! Luckily we missed rush hour and made it to the hospital in no time.
I'll never understand the point of pre-registering since I had to stand and answer questions and "check-in" once at the hospital. I also had to deal with a very well meaning volunteer constantly asking me if I was sure I didn't want a wheelchair, it was much easier for me to handle the contractions if I was standing. After what seemed like an hour we headed to triage, where they had to make sure I was in labor ...REALLY! We finally got to a L&D room and I finally got my epi, by that point I was 5 cm dilated, which had been my goal to reach before getting the epi. Once I had the epi it was pretty much smooth sailing from there. I progressed pretty steadily until I got to 8 cm at which point they gave me a little pitocin to help get things moving more steadily again. Finally, at about 530a on 14 November I was almost to 10 so the doctor had me start some practice pushes and apparently I was pretty good at it because when she returned to do some practice pushes with her in the room she said I was ready for the real thing. I started pushing for really, really at 630 and my precious baby girl was born at 644a. Weighing in at 5.5 and 18.5 in long she was smaller than her brother weight wise but they measured the same length. Of course as I expected she had some complications breathing and she would up in the NICU for what would become a 2 week stay.
She finally came home on 28 November and other than some reflux has had no issues. We had a rough time establishing breastfeeding, since she'd been on the bottle for the two weeks while she was in the NICU but it was breast milk but now we're smooth sailing. She's perfect, but I'm biased and the Bean is totally and completely in love with her. My parents are besides themselves because this is the first girl in 28 years, since my sisters were born. I'm still on maternity leave until February and now with the holidays over I'm going to enjoy these last few weeks just me and my girl.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Dumpling Weeks 34/35
OMG it's been an uber long weekend. My brother-in-law got married yesterday and the wedding was at 10am, who does that, so to say it was a long day is an understatement. Then since there was so much family in town we got together again today oh and on Friday nite to. I'm pooped. But it's time for an update and I can do that from my bed so here ya go. It's hard for me to believe that in about 3-5 weeks I could have a new little bundle. Too bad it won't have anywhere to sleep, hoping we'll be there by the end of the week.
How far along? 35 weeks, 1 day
Total
weight gain/loss:
After my appointment last Friday I'd lost another pound so that pound I had gained, yeah it meant nothing. So I'm back to total loss of 10 pounds to the dr's and 15 by my count
Maternity
clothes?
ummm...heck
yes and I have been since about 9 weeks, but I'm still also wearing a lot of
non-maternity too, mostly in tops. Of course I'm not sure what I"m going to do
now that it's starting to get cold but I do know that I'm not planning on buying anything new, if I can help it.
Stretch
marks?
no
new ones.
Sleep: I wouldn't say I'm suffering from insomnia but I will say I'm sleep deprived. I'm up multiple times either because I can't breath or too pee. It's exhausting but I just keep telling my self the end is near.
Best
moment this week:
The wedding just because the Bean had so much fun and I love a reason to celebrate with family.
Food cravings: Back to nothing being appetizing. I eat because I have to most days not because I want to.
Gender:
no
idea and we won't know until December when Dumpling makes his or her
appearance. I feel like it might be a girl but what do I know really, it's just a feeling which means nothing really. We'll no in a few weeks.
Labor
Signs:
The
Braxton Hicks are a little intense sometimes but other than that nothing although I did lose my mucus plug last week but that doesn't really mean anything in the big picture of things.
Belly
Button in or out?
flat, with a little flap. it's kind of weird and I don't remember it being like that with the Bean.
What
I miss:
Wine
or really any adult libations. I just need a good stiff drink. <~still
this... oh and coffee and milk shakes.
What
I am looking forward to:
starting to get stuff out of storage and washed, okay not really the washing part but at least getting it out of storage. Also, hopefully getting the nursery together by this weekend. Oh and the Sprinkle my sisters-in-laws planned for me.
Weekly Wisdom: I got nothing.
Milestones: nada
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
3 weeks
Today as I was sitting at work it hit me that if Dumpling is like his/her big brother it's possible I could have a new baby in about 3 weeks. The bean was born at exactly 38 weeks, I'll 35 weeks on Saturday! Hubz thought it was funny that once again I was surprised at how close the impending arrivals arrival actually was.
3 weeks! It that time we have a wedding, maternity pictures, birthday party and Thanksgiving. Oh and let's not forget we're still working and Hubz has school and the step-son has his numerous things that he needs to be taken to or we need to attend, but well I'm not all that worried. I've set a goal to accomplish one or two little things a day. Today I took out the infant car seat and their bases and put the cover back on, of course it now looks like we're missing a piece to the car seat so we'll have to find the piece or get a new car seat, I'm hoping we can just find the piece but I'm not optimistic since Hubz didn't even know what I was talking about when I said it was missing. I'm also FINALLY going to get our suitcase unpacked from our Anniversary trip back the beginning of October. While really it should be Hubz doing this since it's mostly his crap if I wait on him the baby will be here and I have tons of mess on that side of the room that needs to be taken care of so we can bring in the bassinet and swing, which are both next on the list to come out of storage so their respective covers and stuff can be cleaned and they can be brought to our room.
3 weeks isn't a ton of time but it's enough to get done what needs to be done and continue with life as normal, or as normal as it can be when the Momma's 35 weeks pregnant and taking care of a lot of things solo. I figure is something doesn't get done before Dumpling's arrival then it'll get done after. As long as my breast pump has all it's necessary parts and pieces and the bassinet, swing and car seat are good to go we're golden and that'll all be taken care of in the next week or so. Oh I should probably pack my hospital bag sometime during that 3 weeks too, just to be on the safe side, huh. Although last time I didn't get a bag packed until the day my water broke and I went into labor so....
3 weeks! It that time we have a wedding, maternity pictures, birthday party and Thanksgiving. Oh and let's not forget we're still working and Hubz has school and the step-son has his numerous things that he needs to be taken to or we need to attend, but well I'm not all that worried. I've set a goal to accomplish one or two little things a day. Today I took out the infant car seat and their bases and put the cover back on, of course it now looks like we're missing a piece to the car seat so we'll have to find the piece or get a new car seat, I'm hoping we can just find the piece but I'm not optimistic since Hubz didn't even know what I was talking about when I said it was missing. I'm also FINALLY going to get our suitcase unpacked from our Anniversary trip back the beginning of October. While really it should be Hubz doing this since it's mostly his crap if I wait on him the baby will be here and I have tons of mess on that side of the room that needs to be taken care of so we can bring in the bassinet and swing, which are both next on the list to come out of storage so their respective covers and stuff can be cleaned and they can be brought to our room.
3 weeks isn't a ton of time but it's enough to get done what needs to be done and continue with life as normal, or as normal as it can be when the Momma's 35 weeks pregnant and taking care of a lot of things solo. I figure is something doesn't get done before Dumpling's arrival then it'll get done after. As long as my breast pump has all it's necessary parts and pieces and the bassinet, swing and car seat are good to go we're golden and that'll all be taken care of in the next week or so. Oh I should probably pack my hospital bag sometime during that 3 weeks too, just to be on the safe side, huh. Although last time I didn't get a bag packed until the day my water broke and I went into labor so....
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
I Voted
I got my vote on. This is the fourth election I've voted in but the first that I was the most nervous about. I knew it was going to be close but in the end my guy prevailed! Sure there are people that aren't happy, but hey that was a given. Me I'm ecstatic. I'm happy to know that we have 4 more years to continue to move forward and make this country better. That we have 4 more years that women are safe from extremists trying to force us back to the 1950s.
I don't talk to politics, with anyone..EVER! Simply because in college I had someone tell me I deserve to die because I was pro-choice and pro-gay rights. What always makes me chuckle is that 4 years later, just before we graduated, that same person had "come-out" and eventually even apologized. However, that one person turned me off from EVER wanting to discuss my views. i get it that people are passionate about where they stand on issues and I respect that but I also realize that not everyone is that way, just look at Facebook.
I will say that I'm glad that this political season is over. I'd grown weary of the TV/radio ads, numerous phone calls, ignorant and down right ridiculous Facebook and Twitter posts and the constant barking of my dogs because of the people at my door. Mostly I'm glad I can "like" some of my friends again. Because of my rule not to discuss politics I never knew where some of them stood and was sad to find out they were some of the ignorant and ridiculous but that's okay I'm still happy to call them friends because we have so many other things to talk about besides politics, otherwise we wouldn't be friends.
I don't talk to politics, with anyone..EVER! Simply because in college I had someone tell me I deserve to die because I was pro-choice and pro-gay rights. What always makes me chuckle is that 4 years later, just before we graduated, that same person had "come-out" and eventually even apologized. However, that one person turned me off from EVER wanting to discuss my views. i get it that people are passionate about where they stand on issues and I respect that but I also realize that not everyone is that way, just look at Facebook.
I will say that I'm glad that this political season is over. I'd grown weary of the TV/radio ads, numerous phone calls, ignorant and down right ridiculous Facebook and Twitter posts and the constant barking of my dogs because of the people at my door. Mostly I'm glad I can "like" some of my friends again. Because of my rule not to discuss politics I never knew where some of them stood and was sad to find out they were some of the ignorant and ridiculous but that's okay I'm still happy to call them friends because we have so many other things to talk about besides politics, otherwise we wouldn't be friends.
Monday, November 5, 2012
New Phone
I'm so excited I'm getting a new cell phone. I know it's not a big deal to most people but my poor dinosaur of a phone needs a serious upgrade and Hubz has said he'll pay for my upgrade as my birthday present. So I'm upgrading to the iPhone 4S. I went back and forth about getting the 5, the newest edition available, but I can't really justify the extra $100 it costs over the 4S all for a bigger screen and faster processor. 2 things that don't really matter to me, especially considering anything is better then the 3S that my MIL so graciously passed on to me about a year ago when she upgraded and I was desperately in need of a new phone after the Bean threw my BlackBerry in a cup of hot chocolate.
With the new phone comes tons of apps I can download now, there are so many that my poor 3S wasn't compatible with. Not to mention better pictures of my boy and Dumpling, when he/she gets here. Also, it'll give Hubz some stocking stuffer ideas come Christmas time, since I know he tends to have issues coming up with stocking stuffers.
Now I just have to wait for it to get ordered and delivered .... SO EXCITED!
With the new phone comes tons of apps I can download now, there are so many that my poor 3S wasn't compatible with. Not to mention better pictures of my boy and Dumpling, when he/she gets here. Also, it'll give Hubz some stocking stuffer ideas come Christmas time, since I know he tends to have issues coming up with stocking stuffers.
Now I just have to wait for it to get ordered and delivered .... SO EXCITED!
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Crafting Bug
I spend a lot of time just me and my Bean. Which means when he goes to bed I spend a lot time just me. Lately I'm tired but can't fall asleep so I've been crafting, thanks to Pinterst I've got a board full of stuff I want to make. So what better time then now, especially with so much free, alone time on my hands. Right now I'm working on this guy, thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Baby Rabies.
I'm also working on something for the Bean's Big Boy room. Which I'm hoping comes out as good as I have it pictured in my head, but only time will tell.
I'm also working on something for the Bean's Big Boy room. Which I'm hoping comes out as good as I have it pictured in my head, but only time will tell.
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