Saturday, October 30, 2010
My new blogging location
For anyone following me here ( like I have a ton of fans right?) I am now blogging on a different sight. My 2 year old son Evan was diagnosed with Leukemia on 10/19/2010. My brother in law created a website for him called ALLaboutevan.com I really don't have much time to get on the computer anymore so I will probably only be writing on the new site for a while. If I have anything non cancer related maybe I will post on here, but I have a feeling that everything I think say and do will be cancer related for about the next 3 years and probably longer....
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saving Time & $ in the Kithchen
Since having baby #2 I find it incredibly difficult to prepare dinner or do anything for that matter. I feel like I am constantly nursing, pumping, helping my toddler potty train, cleaning diapers, picking up toys, washing dishes, etc, etc. After seven weeks I have figured out that when husband is home on the weekends and can help with the kids I can brew up big batches of food that can be frozen and taken out throughout the week that makes my life a lot easier. Casseroles, meatloafs, crockpot meals, etc. Not only has this made my life easier, it is saving money which totally agrees with my get out of debt Dave Ramsey Plan.
#1 - McCafe Iced Mocha
When McDonalds came out with the Iced Mocha and I got a little addicted, but paying $3 for an iced coffee is a little ridiculous. So I tried a few recipes I found by using google and come up with my own. It's pretty simple.
The Cool Brew coffee is about $7 at Rouses (makes 15-30 drinks depending on how strong you make your drinks) If I don't have any cool brew (and no espresso machine) just use your coffee maker. Use 4 cups or less of water and then fill up the filter with a lot grinds so it makes very strong coffee and store your "espresso" in the fridge.
My recipe:
1-2 ounces of cool brew
about 2 tbsp of nestle chocolate syrup
then fill it up the container with milk (1-2cups)
Throw in a few cubes of ice and shake .
This recipe can be altered as you like depending on how strong and/or sweet you like your drinks. I think whole milk tastes the best, but use skim milk because it's less fattening. I use old Gatorade bottles because I like to recycle/reuse and they are the perfect size. But you can put it in a glass and top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup if you want. But if your just taking it on the go in a hurry, you'll want something that you can shake because the chocolate syrup settles to the bottom.
If you want an even simpler recipe just mix your espresso with chocolate milk - enjoy. Once you figure out a recipe you like you can even make it by the gallon. just make sure it doesn't sit in the fridge too long...it is good until the expiration date of the milk.
#2 - Meatloaf/Meatballs
This one is mostly to save time. Evan loves meatloaf. Sometimes when I can't get him to eat anything meatloaf or meatballs will do the trick. But who has time to sit and wait an hour or more for the meatloaf to cook...especially if you didn't get around to starting dinner until like 7pm. I read this trick in a magazine. Prepare the meatloaf as usual but then instead of putting it in a loaf pan, put one serving size in each hole in a large muffin pan , like this
It will cook in 30 minutes or less and it's already "cut" into individual serving sizes.
#3 Frozen Cookie Dough
Alright, I came up with this idea while baking a few too many dozen milk makin cookies. I had a recipe that yielded 4 dozen and then I baked them all and stored them in an airtight container. Well by the time I got to the end of the batch they didn't taste so great. So how could I get a fresh baked cookie when ever I want one without pulling out all these ingredients and making a big ole mess in the kitchen?
I thought I'd just roll up the dough and freeze it. But then I thought about how those frozen cookies at the store are so convenient..... take it, break it , and bake it! So I figured it out! One sandwich size bag will fit enough dough for one dozen (tablespoon size) cookies. If you made three dozen, get out your sandwich bags, divide the dough in three and put each section into the bags. Flatten them out and get out all the air. Use the dull side of a butterknife to press the lines and divide it into 12. Lay on flat/as flat as possible surface in freezer.
So go ahead and double that recipe and freeze it for later. (or pull out a few chunks to put in your ice cream!)
#4 Cherry Pitter
I had a bunch of cherries and needed to do something with them before they went bad. I had a recipe for cherry pie, cherry cobbler, & cherry crisp in my good ole Homes & Gardens Cookbook. I had no idea how to pit a cherry and found this website. It works perfectly except next time I'll need a better straw...I think I'll save my straw next time I get a cherry limeade at Sonic.
Here is the next thing I want to try. Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. It would be awesome to have fresh baked bread everyday and I think this site had a recipe for wheat bread too.
So do any of you have any ideas to share with me?
#1 - McCafe Iced Mocha
When McDonalds came out with the Iced Mocha and I got a little addicted, but paying $3 for an iced coffee is a little ridiculous. So I tried a few recipes I found by using google and come up with my own. It's pretty simple.
The Cool Brew coffee is about $7 at Rouses (makes 15-30 drinks depending on how strong you make your drinks) If I don't have any cool brew (and no espresso machine) just use your coffee maker. Use 4 cups or less of water and then fill up the filter with a lot grinds so it makes very strong coffee and store your "espresso" in the fridge.
My recipe:
1-2 ounces of cool brew
about 2 tbsp of nestle chocolate syrup
then fill it up the container with milk (1-2cups)
Throw in a few cubes of ice and shake .
This recipe can be altered as you like depending on how strong and/or sweet you like your drinks. I think whole milk tastes the best, but use skim milk because it's less fattening. I use old Gatorade bottles because I like to recycle/reuse and they are the perfect size. But you can put it in a glass and top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup if you want. But if your just taking it on the go in a hurry, you'll want something that you can shake because the chocolate syrup settles to the bottom.
If you want an even simpler recipe just mix your espresso with chocolate milk - enjoy. Once you figure out a recipe you like you can even make it by the gallon. just make sure it doesn't sit in the fridge too long...it is good until the expiration date of the milk.
#2 - Meatloaf/Meatballs
This one is mostly to save time. Evan loves meatloaf. Sometimes when I can't get him to eat anything meatloaf or meatballs will do the trick. But who has time to sit and wait an hour or more for the meatloaf to cook...especially if you didn't get around to starting dinner until like 7pm. I read this trick in a magazine. Prepare the meatloaf as usual but then instead of putting it in a loaf pan, put one serving size in each hole in a large muffin pan , like this
It will cook in 30 minutes or less and it's already "cut" into individual serving sizes.
#3 Frozen Cookie Dough
Alright, I came up with this idea while baking a few too many dozen milk makin cookies. I had a recipe that yielded 4 dozen and then I baked them all and stored them in an airtight container. Well by the time I got to the end of the batch they didn't taste so great. So how could I get a fresh baked cookie when ever I want one without pulling out all these ingredients and making a big ole mess in the kitchen?
I thought I'd just roll up the dough and freeze it. But then I thought about how those frozen cookies at the store are so convenient..... take it, break it , and bake it! So I figured it out! One sandwich size bag will fit enough dough for one dozen (tablespoon size) cookies. If you made three dozen, get out your sandwich bags, divide the dough in three and put each section into the bags. Flatten them out and get out all the air. Use the dull side of a butterknife to press the lines and divide it into 12. Lay on flat/as flat as possible surface in freezer.
So go ahead and double that recipe and freeze it for later. (or pull out a few chunks to put in your ice cream!)
#4 Cherry Pitter
I had a bunch of cherries and needed to do something with them before they went bad. I had a recipe for cherry pie, cherry cobbler, & cherry crisp in my good ole Homes & Gardens Cookbook. I had no idea how to pit a cherry and found this website. It works perfectly except next time I'll need a better straw...I think I'll save my straw next time I get a cherry limeade at Sonic.
Here is the next thing I want to try. Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. It would be awesome to have fresh baked bread everyday and I think this site had a recipe for wheat bread too.
So do any of you have any ideas to share with me?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Lactation Cookies
If I would have read the title of this post like five years ago I would have been like WTF? But having kids change everything and this recipe is too good not to share.
Many new moms who are breastfeeding worry about their milk supply. This is the perfect solution. (I haven't actually eaten enough to tell you how good it works, but people on the internet say it works so it must be true, right?) Anyhow it is a good excuse to eat a sweet treat.
Lactation Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup of butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp flax-seed meal
2 lg eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups thick cut oats
1 cup chocolate chips
2-4 Tbsp brewer's yeast
Mix 2 Tbsp flax seed meal with the water and set aside for 3-5 minutes (to let the flax-seed absorb the water)
Cream butter and sugars, add eggs.
Stir flax-seed mix into butter/sugar and add vanilla, beat until well blended.
Sift dry ingredients (except oats and chocolate chips)
Add butter mix to dry ingredients.
Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
Drop on parchment paper on baking sheet.
Bake at 350 for 8-12 minutes.
You can modify this recipe as you please but the ingredients (oats, brewer's yeast, and flax-seed meal should not be substituted as those are the milk boosters) I even added a few Fenugreek capsules. Well by few I mean 12. Just opened them up and sprinkled the powder in with the dry ingredients. Next time I think I am going to switch the chocolate chips for raisins!
So where do you buy Brewers Yeast or Flax-seed Meal?
This was the hardest part of the recipe for me. The best place to look is you local vitamin store. GNC carries it ( my local store was out) so I bought some from Vitamin World (for those of you on the MS Coast, it's at the Prime Outlet)
Your local grocery store probably carries flax-seed meal. At Rouse's it is in the organic section by the bread.
A lot of nursing moms say their supply drops in the afternoon, so grab a lactation cookie, a cup of Organic Mothers Milk Tea (sold at your local herbal/health foods store and Target), prop up your feet and relax.
Even if these cookies don't help, they taste good!!!
Many new moms who are breastfeeding worry about their milk supply. This is the perfect solution. (I haven't actually eaten enough to tell you how good it works, but people on the internet say it works so it must be true, right?) Anyhow it is a good excuse to eat a sweet treat.
Lactation Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup of butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp flax-seed meal
2 lg eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups thick cut oats
1 cup chocolate chips
2-4 Tbsp brewer's yeast
Mix 2 Tbsp flax seed meal with the water and set aside for 3-5 minutes (to let the flax-seed absorb the water)
Cream butter and sugars, add eggs.
Stir flax-seed mix into butter/sugar and add vanilla, beat until well blended.
Sift dry ingredients (except oats and chocolate chips)
Add butter mix to dry ingredients.
Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
Drop on parchment paper on baking sheet.
Bake at 350 for 8-12 minutes.
You can modify this recipe as you please but the ingredients (oats, brewer's yeast, and flax-seed meal should not be substituted as those are the milk boosters) I even added a few Fenugreek capsules. Well by few I mean 12. Just opened them up and sprinkled the powder in with the dry ingredients. Next time I think I am going to switch the chocolate chips for raisins!
So where do you buy Brewers Yeast or Flax-seed Meal?
This was the hardest part of the recipe for me. The best place to look is you local vitamin store. GNC carries it ( my local store was out) so I bought some from Vitamin World (for those of you on the MS Coast, it's at the Prime Outlet)
Your local grocery store probably carries flax-seed meal. At Rouse's it is in the organic section by the bread.
A lot of nursing moms say their supply drops in the afternoon, so grab a lactation cookie, a cup of Organic Mothers Milk Tea (sold at your local herbal/health foods store and Target), prop up your feet and relax.
Even if these cookies don't help, they taste good!!!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Breastfeeding Sucks because my boobs are broken!
I once read a book titled Breastfeeding Sucks. The book was a humorous little read about breastfeeding problems, but I found it annoying because it was a lady complaining about all types of problems I never have had the joy of experiencing....too much milk, engorged boobs, blah, blah, blah.
But I really do think breastfeeding sucks. I've cried way too many times these past few weeks about not being able to make enough milk. I think Adam is sick of it. I started crying tonight as I was making my 4th or 5th cup of Mother's Milk Tea, wondering why in the hell I even keep trying. He gave me a hug and kissed me and then told me to stop because at least we have healthy kids. What would a mother who was sitting next to her child with leukemia think about me crying about something so trivial? I really shouldn't be so sad, I know I should be grateful that I can even have children. I just really want to give them what is best and I know breast milk will make the healthy and smart.
But why in the hell won't my stupid little boobs co-operate? I've obviously had a complex about the teeny size of my titties ever since they the day they never grew. I even proclaimed myself President of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee trying to laugh at myself. I've always been self-conscious about my size, but never enough to surgically enhance myself. When I first got pregnant I was told and I read many places that the size of your breast have nothing to do with being able to breastfeed, so I had no worries.
Then once Evan was born I just put him on there and he latched on like a little champ and I assumed everything was fine. Until he was 4 days old and his bilirubin level went up to 21. He was admitted to the hospital and hooked up to an IV and put under the lights. Then I just sat there and cried my eyes out as they gave him his first bottle of formula and rolled in the pump for me. Not realizing that my milk was just coming in I cried even harder when I tried to pump and only got about an 8th of an ounce.
I continued to fight to be able to breastfeed. I tried Fenugreek and Mother's Milk Tea. I ate oatmeal, drank a dark beer, increased my water intake, and many other old wives tales. For the first 2 months I would breastfeed him, then pump and give him a bottle, and then by the time I was done it was time to start all over again. I got a RX for Reglan which didn't help that much, then went online and ordered some domperidone from somewhere overseas which also didn't really help.
I eventually ended up being at peace with the fact that I was never going to get him off the formula and ended up nursing him for about 15-16 months, and always supplemented with formula. I was just happy that someone had invented formula and the fact that he was getting a little breast milk was better than no breastmilk at all.
Then I got pregnant again. It was like an new fresh beginning. I thought the only reason I had a low supply was because Evan was given a bottle at 4 days old. Everyone was telling me how people have so much trouble with the first child and then none at all with the second. I was so hopeful and excited. I was doing everything to prepare myself to conquer this low supply problem, I just knew I was going to be able to exclusively breastfeed this time.
As soon as Luke was born he latched on. We nursed and nursed and nursed. Every time he made a peep, I put him on the boob. Luke was born around 9 am and I started the Fenugreek with my lunch that very same day. When we came home I started with the tea, and nursed him constantly. Within a week I got a pump so I could pump and tell my body to make more milk. Well once again the milk wasn't flowing, I was only getting a tenth of an oz to 1/2 oz from both sides. But I also knew that a pump isn't as efficient a a babies suckling so I was still kind of okay. My doula let me borrow a baby scale to take home, with instructions to weigh him before and after a feeding, and then to weigh him everyday at the same time to see if he is gaining weight. Well at each feeding I was getting 0 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz. Every morning I weighed him naked and he consistently lost weight 4 days in a row. Then I felt horrible for pretty much starving him and went to the store an bought a can of formula and cried all over again like I did with Evan.
I felt like I was somehow less of a woman. I wondered if men who were impotent or who couldn't produce children felt like this. I wondered if I had lived in the 1800's if all of my children would have died from failure to thrive. I was just so mad that my lady parts don't work. Then I picked up my book "Making More Milk" and read it again trying to figure out WHY? WHY don't my boobies work? I really think there just isn't enough milk producing tissue. I have stopped the Fenugreek and switched to Domperidone last week (was doing both but it gave both me and baby some stomach issues). No noticeable increase yet. So I have ordered some Goats Rue and hope to get it soon. Goats Rue is supposed to encourage glandular growth and is one thing that women who have adopted children use to make themselves start lactating.
My dreams that this time would be different, my dreams of being able to exclusively breast feed, are gone. I am sad. But as always I just keep telling myself it could be worse. I have 2 beautifully healthy and brilliant children.
I am hoping that this week my midwife can help me rule out any PCOS, thyroid problems, and anemia since those are are things that can cause low supply. I almost want something to be wrong because I want a little pill to fix it all. (Adam hates when I say that) But if it is insufficient glandular tissue I can learn to deal with it.
I hope I can quit crying about this and just be grateful and come to terms with the fact that my children will have to be formula babies. But I will still breastfeed. So if you ever see a woman nurse her child and then pull out the formula, don't judge her or give her dirty looks. Just be happy that your boobs aren't broken.
Click on the links below to read blogs from 2 other women who had gone through what I am experiencing, as I read their posts I felt like I was reading my own thoughts.
A Swing and a Miss Strike Two
Breastfeeding Broke My Heart
08/31/2010
UPDATE: blood tests came back normal..no thyroid problems, no anemia, etc.
So maybe I just have IGT? Who knows?
Good news is that my supply has increased, I can get about an ounce from both sides a lot of times (mostly at night). Obviously not enough to wean from the supplements, but that is double, which is pretty awesome. Right now I am up to 120mg (90mg wasn't doing anything) of domperidone per day and 1 1/2 tsp of Mother's Milk Special Blend, 3-4 cups of Mother's Milk Tea and of course waaaay too many lactation cookies per day. So since the dom is expensive and difficult to obtain (and since I hate taking any kind of drug) I may start weaning myself and see if my supply will still stay where it's at and switch back to fenugreek, but a higher dosage than I was on before???
Still looking for a milk donor, anybody??
It was so emotionally wrecking to me to not be able to exclusively breastfeed this time around. I really thought last time I just didn't try hard enough or nurse enough or I just supplemented too much. I was certain I could do it this time. I have been feeling a lot less depressed about it lately though. My midwife Shannon somehow found the words to make it okay in my mind when no one else could comfort me. She is awesome. I think since I can't give him very much milk I'll just have to nurse him longer than I expected to make up for it like I did with Evan.
But I really do think breastfeeding sucks. I've cried way too many times these past few weeks about not being able to make enough milk. I think Adam is sick of it. I started crying tonight as I was making my 4th or 5th cup of Mother's Milk Tea, wondering why in the hell I even keep trying. He gave me a hug and kissed me and then told me to stop because at least we have healthy kids. What would a mother who was sitting next to her child with leukemia think about me crying about something so trivial? I really shouldn't be so sad, I know I should be grateful that I can even have children. I just really want to give them what is best and I know breast milk will make the healthy and smart.
But why in the hell won't my stupid little boobs co-operate? I've obviously had a complex about the teeny size of my titties ever since they the day they never grew. I even proclaimed myself President of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee trying to laugh at myself. I've always been self-conscious about my size, but never enough to surgically enhance myself. When I first got pregnant I was told and I read many places that the size of your breast have nothing to do with being able to breastfeed, so I had no worries.
Then once Evan was born I just put him on there and he latched on like a little champ and I assumed everything was fine. Until he was 4 days old and his bilirubin level went up to 21. He was admitted to the hospital and hooked up to an IV and put under the lights. Then I just sat there and cried my eyes out as they gave him his first bottle of formula and rolled in the pump for me. Not realizing that my milk was just coming in I cried even harder when I tried to pump and only got about an 8th of an ounce.
I continued to fight to be able to breastfeed. I tried Fenugreek and Mother's Milk Tea. I ate oatmeal, drank a dark beer, increased my water intake, and many other old wives tales. For the first 2 months I would breastfeed him, then pump and give him a bottle, and then by the time I was done it was time to start all over again. I got a RX for Reglan which didn't help that much, then went online and ordered some domperidone from somewhere overseas which also didn't really help.
I eventually ended up being at peace with the fact that I was never going to get him off the formula and ended up nursing him for about 15-16 months, and always supplemented with formula. I was just happy that someone had invented formula and the fact that he was getting a little breast milk was better than no breastmilk at all.
Then I got pregnant again. It was like an new fresh beginning. I thought the only reason I had a low supply was because Evan was given a bottle at 4 days old. Everyone was telling me how people have so much trouble with the first child and then none at all with the second. I was so hopeful and excited. I was doing everything to prepare myself to conquer this low supply problem, I just knew I was going to be able to exclusively breastfeed this time.
As soon as Luke was born he latched on. We nursed and nursed and nursed. Every time he made a peep, I put him on the boob. Luke was born around 9 am and I started the Fenugreek with my lunch that very same day. When we came home I started with the tea, and nursed him constantly. Within a week I got a pump so I could pump and tell my body to make more milk. Well once again the milk wasn't flowing, I was only getting a tenth of an oz to 1/2 oz from both sides. But I also knew that a pump isn't as efficient a a babies suckling so I was still kind of okay. My doula let me borrow a baby scale to take home, with instructions to weigh him before and after a feeding, and then to weigh him everyday at the same time to see if he is gaining weight. Well at each feeding I was getting 0 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz. Every morning I weighed him naked and he consistently lost weight 4 days in a row. Then I felt horrible for pretty much starving him and went to the store an bought a can of formula and cried all over again like I did with Evan.
I felt like I was somehow less of a woman. I wondered if men who were impotent or who couldn't produce children felt like this. I wondered if I had lived in the 1800's if all of my children would have died from failure to thrive. I was just so mad that my lady parts don't work. Then I picked up my book "Making More Milk" and read it again trying to figure out WHY? WHY don't my boobies work? I really think there just isn't enough milk producing tissue. I have stopped the Fenugreek and switched to Domperidone last week (was doing both but it gave both me and baby some stomach issues). No noticeable increase yet. So I have ordered some Goats Rue and hope to get it soon. Goats Rue is supposed to encourage glandular growth and is one thing that women who have adopted children use to make themselves start lactating.
My dreams that this time would be different, my dreams of being able to exclusively breast feed, are gone. I am sad. But as always I just keep telling myself it could be worse. I have 2 beautifully healthy and brilliant children.
I am hoping that this week my midwife can help me rule out any PCOS, thyroid problems, and anemia since those are are things that can cause low supply. I almost want something to be wrong because I want a little pill to fix it all. (Adam hates when I say that) But if it is insufficient glandular tissue I can learn to deal with it.
I hope I can quit crying about this and just be grateful and come to terms with the fact that my children will have to be formula babies. But I will still breastfeed. So if you ever see a woman nurse her child and then pull out the formula, don't judge her or give her dirty looks. Just be happy that your boobs aren't broken.
Click on the links below to read blogs from 2 other women who had gone through what I am experiencing, as I read their posts I felt like I was reading my own thoughts.
A Swing and a Miss Strike Two
Breastfeeding Broke My Heart
08/31/2010
UPDATE: blood tests came back normal..no thyroid problems, no anemia, etc.
So maybe I just have IGT? Who knows?
Good news is that my supply has increased, I can get about an ounce from both sides a lot of times (mostly at night). Obviously not enough to wean from the supplements, but that is double, which is pretty awesome. Right now I am up to 120mg (90mg wasn't doing anything) of domperidone per day and 1 1/2 tsp of Mother's Milk Special Blend, 3-4 cups of Mother's Milk Tea and of course waaaay too many lactation cookies per day. So since the dom is expensive and difficult to obtain (and since I hate taking any kind of drug) I may start weaning myself and see if my supply will still stay where it's at and switch back to fenugreek, but a higher dosage than I was on before???
Still looking for a milk donor, anybody??
It was so emotionally wrecking to me to not be able to exclusively breastfeed this time around. I really thought last time I just didn't try hard enough or nurse enough or I just supplemented too much. I was certain I could do it this time. I have been feeling a lot less depressed about it lately though. My midwife Shannon somehow found the words to make it okay in my mind when no one else could comfort me. She is awesome. I think since I can't give him very much milk I'll just have to nurse him longer than I expected to make up for it like I did with Evan.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Baby Luke William
Luke is officially 1 week old today!
Some people think sharing a birth story is TMI and no one elses business. I want to share mine because when I was preparing for labor & delivery with Evan, I read a ton of natural birth stories online. It really encouraged me when I would read other peoples' stories, because so many people you meet in real life have not had a totally unmedicated birth experience. It helped me realize it's not that big of a deal and women have done it through the ages with no pain medication. So here is the story of Luke William's entrance into this world.
So it all began last Friday when I woke up to a very strong contraction at 6am. Just like with Evan I told my self it was just diarrhea or something. I got a glass of water thinking that I was just dehydrated and maybe some water would make it go away. Then I got in the shower to run warm water over my belly and realized this was the real thing and so I called Adam in so he could start timing. He said they were 3 minutes apart and called both of our moms. Then I made him call our doula, he was hesitant to call her so early but I made him because I knew I was going to need some support quick. It was only about 45 minutes of labor and the contractions seemed so hard and strong and too close together.
So I got out and got dressed and Adams mom showed up to watch Evan. By this time I was only getting about 1 minute between contractions. I was able to brush my teeth and get in my contacts. I remember really wanting to fix my hair and put on some make-up. I thought I could do this between contractions, and Adam's mom just laughed at me. Just a few minutes later the contractions were coming right on top of each other and they were sooo painful. I told Adam to take me to the hospital because I needed the epidural. I seriously couldn't handle the pain if there were not any breaks between the contractions. I started to pray to God to please just give me like 30 seconds to rest, but it wasn't happening. As all natural birth aficionados know, it is best to try to labor at home as long as possible. Adam kept trying to get me to eat some carbs to prepare because it was going to be such a long day and I needed my energy. I took a few sips of milk and then just threw it up. Adam was really hesitant to go to the hospital because the atmosphere was going to be so hectic there (and I think he was a little worried I was going to take back my beliefs about unmedicated birth and beg for the epidural). But when I got assertive with him and told him I felt like I had to push, he was like okay let's go.
So on the way to the hospital God answered my prayers and the contractions started to come further apart, about 2 minutes between each. But they were different, I was pushing and couldn't stop. So I just grabbed the "oh shit" handle and crossed my legs tight through every contraction.
When we got to the hospital I walked to the front desk and told the little old volunteer ladies in the pink vests behind the desk that I needed to go to labor and delivery and then walked over to the elevator. Next thing I know I am on my knees moaning through a contraction hoping this baby doesn't come out. Then someone shows up with a wheelchair and puts me on the elevator. The lady says " you really shouldn't do that to those old ladies, I think you almost gave them a heart attack" I only had enough time to say, "I'm so sorry, I couldn't help it" before the next contraction came.
So they get me into observation and let me go pee. I came back from the bathroom completely naked (they tell you in childbirth class that you will lose all sense of modesty & it is so true) So I get my gown on and the nurse checks me and says "She's complete." Adam was like what do you mean, you mean she's a 10. and the nurse says yep shes ready to push. I think Adam's eyes about popped out of his head, because it was only about 8:30 and I had only been in labor for 2 & 1/2 hours!! The doula showed up at the time the nurse said "she's complete" and the doula looked really surprised too. I was just so happy because if I had been anything less than about 8 centimeters I would have asked for the epidural. But maybe not I knew I was ready to push and get this baby out.
So they wheel me into a delivery room and I crawl onto the bed. I hear the nurses debating about giving me an IV and then decide not too. I had been going through the contractions on my hands and knees because that was the only comfortable position. I started to worry that the midwife was not going to make it. When she showed up I had another really strong contraction and told them I had to push and then my water broke all over the deliver bed/table, so when they asked if I wanted to lay back I was like heck no I'm not laying in that stuff. and I just remember pushing about 3 more times. Then I told them I needed to be upright so gravity could help me get this baby out. So I was on my knees and put my arms around Adam's neck, I only freaked out a little :) when he was crowning and yelled at the midwife to pull him out. But it only took about 2 more pushes and he was out!!! Luke William made his entrance on July 16th, 2010 at 8:52am.
They gave him to me and let me nurse him immediately and did not cut the cord immediately (we waited until after the placenta was delivered and the cord stopped pulsing) The nurses all pretty much left us and said when I was ready they would come take him to bathe and weigh him, etc.
I have to say this birth was much more painful than Evan's but maybe that was because I knew what to expect and I didn't prepare myself mentally. Also I have heard that the shorter the labor, the more painful. That is definitely true in my case.
I am just so glad to have baby Luke on the outside, I thought I would like to just keep him in there because it was easier to take care of him. But now that he is here, all the "work" I was dreading all of a sudden doesn't seem so bad. Believe it or not, I look forward to changing a poopy diaper because I get to see if he is getting enough breastmilk. Also the fact that we are exclusively breastfeeding I get to just snuggle with him all night, no getting up out of the bed to get a bottle, just roll over and whip it out:) I am really hoping that I can keep this up and not have to supplement with formula this time. I've got the support of some of the best lactation consultants in the state of Mississippi, so I hope it works out.
Evan is doing great with his little brother. He loves him so much and hugs and kisses and "pets" his little head. Sometimes I get scared because he loves him a little too hard and he squeezes him :)
Although I didn't prepare myself for this birth it was definitely awesome and turned out perfect. I thanked the midwife over and over for not making me birth this baby on my back. I feel that I am very lucky to have short labors even if they are painful, and I have to thank my mom for passing on that gene/characteristic to me. Thanks Mom!
So all of you asking when we are going to try for a little girl, don't be surprised when I give you the evil eye or a dirty look. Hello it's only been a week, I still remember the pain! I have 2 under 2 people, I'm not trying for 3 under 3. Thanks for your concern that my boys need a little sister, I'll keep that thought in the back of my brain for oh at least 2-3 years.
The whole thing went so fast we forgot to get the camera to take pictures, but here are a few that were taken once someone showed up with a camera:)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
I don't need anymore Stress....
On top of trying to get ready for baby AGGAHH (only a month left, that means weeks!!!!) we got robbed (EDIT: Burglarized!!) on Tuesday!!!! I can't believe it. How ironic is it that the guy robbed our house as I was at the insurance place buying homeowners insurance?? We probably wouldn't have made a claim anyway, but that's pretty crazy. We have never been robbed in our lives and in the last year Adam's car was robbed and now our house!! The bastard made off with our big screen TV, jewelry, cash, and debit & credit cards. He also broke our fence and our deadbolt and scared the shit & piss (literally) out of our dog. This same person has also robbed 2 other houses in the neighborhood in the last week. People keep saying you feel violated when you are robbed. I don't really feel that way ....I'm mostly just pissed off. I want to kick this guy in his effing face for possibly hurting my dog and for using my debit card all over town. It is a lot of work to get your accounts all straightened out when they are fraudulently used. I also am just glad that I wasn't at home when he busted in. It did make me a little anxious (I couldn't sleep very well and woke up at every little sound I heard) But I'd like to see someone try to break in now because they are going to be seriously hurt. The whole neighborhood is abuzz about the robberies and many are now armed, so this guy better watch out.
If you see this TV (Olevia 37 inch )in a pawn shop let me know:)
I have been having a hard time getting excited about being pregnant because I don't know how I am going to be able to run the office with 2 children. It's hard enough trying to do it with one. So I took a childbirth class and bought the new baby some brand new BumGenius 3.0's in their new Moonbeam and Ribbit colors!!! I also put all new velcro and elastic on the old diapers so it's kinda like they are new. I also started to fill out his baby book. I am so nervous about how I am going to handle two, but at least I am getting excited to see my new little man.
After working on buying a house for over a year we are finally (hopefully) going to close on our house next week. So I've been running around signing papers, talking to lawyers, buying insurance, etc. We are cutting it so close but we really have to close by the 30th if we want to do the new homebuyer tax credit (and be done before the baby comes!!)
Lessons learned ...
* do NOT keep valuables in your top drawer of your dresser!!! That is the first place he looked in every room and unfortunately me & Adam both had good stuff there.
* make your neighbors clean their empty lots, the thief was able to "hide out " in the tall weeds, because the owners of the vacant lot let their crap turn into a jungle!! (I already turned them in to the environmental court to get it cleaned up)
* know your neighbors and know who is watching out for you.
* get an alarm system.
If you see this TV (Olevia 37 inch )in a pawn shop let me know:)
I have been having a hard time getting excited about being pregnant because I don't know how I am going to be able to run the office with 2 children. It's hard enough trying to do it with one. So I took a childbirth class and bought the new baby some brand new BumGenius 3.0's in their new Moonbeam and Ribbit colors!!! I also put all new velcro and elastic on the old diapers so it's kinda like they are new. I also started to fill out his baby book. I am so nervous about how I am going to handle two, but at least I am getting excited to see my new little man.
After working on buying a house for over a year we are finally (hopefully) going to close on our house next week. So I've been running around signing papers, talking to lawyers, buying insurance, etc. We are cutting it so close but we really have to close by the 30th if we want to do the new homebuyer tax credit (and be done before the baby comes!!)
Lessons learned ...
* do NOT keep valuables in your top drawer of your dresser!!! That is the first place he looked in every room and unfortunately me & Adam both had good stuff there.
* make your neighbors clean their empty lots, the thief was able to "hide out " in the tall weeds, because the owners of the vacant lot let their crap turn into a jungle!! (I already turned them in to the environmental court to get it cleaned up)
* know your neighbors and know who is watching out for you.
* get an alarm system.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Mother's Day?
I'm pretty sure every child has embarrassed their mother. I was already in a bit of a grumpy mood this morning before we went to the La Leche Leaugue meeting. Evan was trying to pull up the floor and steal other kids toys and food. He is a very wild child. He likes to crawl on top of tables, pull things down, scream and cry when I am trying to deal with 2 or more patients and the phone is ringing, or decorate the office walls with my highlighters. I could get so much more work done if I put him in preschool, but instead I have Adam take him home and end up staying at work until 8pm finishing up. My problem is I can't trust anyone to watch him. I want to raise him not a teacher at a preschool or a grandma or aunt. So today I was feeling sorry for myself not being able to be a stay at home mom. I act like being a stay at home mom will just solve all my problems.
And then I started to think about my own mom. She did what she had to to be at home with us. We were so poor when we were little, but she was home. Once we were all in school she took jobs so that she could be at home after school. She drove buses, cooked school lunches, delivered newspapers, etc. I am so grateful that she was at home with us and glad I didn't have to be raised by one of my aunts or a day care center. I know she had to be embarrassed about some of the jobs she took and by her kids too.
When I was about 13 she worked as a lifeguard with a bunch of teenagers and college kids. She would drag us to work with her everyday since we couldn't be trusted to be at home alone. It was awesome for us girls because we got to basically live at the pool all summer. BUT we were so bad, one day it was raining so my sisters and I decided to turn the Triangle pool restroom into a slip-n-slide! My mom's boss caught us and said Ruth you need to go take care of your girls in there. We had to sweegie the whole bathroom before we could leave. I would have been so embarrassed if I were my mom. That is just one instance of us girls embarrassing her, believe me there are many more much worse stories. What is funny is the whole time I was growing up I thought SHE embarrassing ME, I can't believe how much it was the other way around. MOM, I'M SORRY.
Now when Evan embarrasses me I'll just think about the things I did to my mom and realize, Karma is a bitch!!
So I thought Mother's Day was just a day like Valentine's where the flower & cards companies just want us to consume, consume, consume. But it is just one day where I can try to tell and show my mom how sorry I am for once being a teenager and to let her know I appreciate all the time she spent with us.
And then I started to think about my own mom. She did what she had to to be at home with us. We were so poor when we were little, but she was home. Once we were all in school she took jobs so that she could be at home after school. She drove buses, cooked school lunches, delivered newspapers, etc. I am so grateful that she was at home with us and glad I didn't have to be raised by one of my aunts or a day care center. I know she had to be embarrassed about some of the jobs she took and by her kids too.
When I was about 13 she worked as a lifeguard with a bunch of teenagers and college kids. She would drag us to work with her everyday since we couldn't be trusted to be at home alone. It was awesome for us girls because we got to basically live at the pool all summer. BUT we were so bad, one day it was raining so my sisters and I decided to turn the Triangle pool restroom into a slip-n-slide! My mom's boss caught us and said Ruth you need to go take care of your girls in there. We had to sweegie the whole bathroom before we could leave. I would have been so embarrassed if I were my mom. That is just one instance of us girls embarrassing her, believe me there are many more much worse stories. What is funny is the whole time I was growing up I thought SHE embarrassing ME, I can't believe how much it was the other way around. MOM, I'M SORRY.
Now when Evan embarrasses me I'll just think about the things I did to my mom and realize, Karma is a bitch!!
So I thought Mother's Day was just a day like Valentine's where the flower & cards companies just want us to consume, consume, consume. But it is just one day where I can try to tell and show my mom how sorry I am for once being a teenager and to let her know I appreciate all the time she spent with us.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
3rd Trimester
I forgot how tired pregnancy makes me. It's like I have narcolepsy and I can sleep anywhere. This is my only complaint. Otherwise pregnancy is great and I can't believe it's going so fast!! I wish I could just stay pregnant for a few more months like a year, so I could have some more time to prepare, but I probably still wouldn't be ready.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Couponing........
Okay, so I've been following all the coupon queen ladies blog and have decided that it may be worth giving it a try. I tried on a few grocery trips and did pretty well on a few items. I wasn't cutting all the coupons because I figured I didn't use some of those brands anyways. But I have found that I can get the name brand items for cheaper, sometimes way cheaper than the store brands. I've been doing most of my couponing at Winn-Dixie, where having the WD card really makes the difference.
For example..
I recently bought some Wishbone Salad Spritzer. They were 3/$5.00 with your WD card and then I had a buy 2 get $2.00 off coupon. So I bought 2 for 1.34 or .67 cents each.
I also bought some electrosol dish detergent tabs a 20 pack for 1.50 after WD card and coupon.
So my most recent trip was not on groceries as I originally intended my coupon adventures to be about, but I thought I got a pretty good deal on this other stuff.
For example..
I recently bought some Wishbone Salad Spritzer. They were 3/$5.00 with your WD card and then I had a buy 2 get $2.00 off coupon. So I bought 2 for 1.34 or .67 cents each.
I also bought some electrosol dish detergent tabs a 20 pack for 1.50 after WD card and coupon.
So my most recent trip was not on groceries as I originally intended my coupon adventures to be about, but I thought I got a pretty good deal on this other stuff.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Surprised at the quickness!!
This is the best news I have ever been afraid to share!!! We are going to have a baby. YES we are pregnant again!!! When I showed up back at the midwifes office just a month after what happened she said "We tell y'all to wait about three months before trying again" I just just replied "well, we weren't trying" (which BTW my mother said she doesn't believe :))
But it happened and I am so excited. We haven't told anyone but our family (parents & siblings), and now obviously anyone who reads this blog. Although I am officially in my 2nd trimester, I'll probably wait to publish this until my next appointment, because I just want to hear the heartbeat again before telling the whole world!!. I thought of doing a cute little FB announcement, but now I know better. I think I'll just let people figure it out the bigger I get. My belly has popped a little and I started wearing maternity clothes. Even though I have lost 7 pounds, my pants are getting tighter!!
I am very excited to be pregnant at the same time as my sister, our due dates are only 3 weeks apart!! Even though we're hundreds of miles apart we have fun calling and comparing symptoms and dr. visit news!!
Healing Hands Chiropractic Gulfport MS
But it happened and I am so excited. We haven't told anyone but our family (parents & siblings), and now obviously anyone who reads this blog. Although I am officially in my 2nd trimester, I'll probably wait to publish this until my next appointment, because I just want to hear the heartbeat again before telling the whole world!!. I thought of doing a cute little FB announcement, but now I know better. I think I'll just let people figure it out the bigger I get. My belly has popped a little and I started wearing maternity clothes. Even though I have lost 7 pounds, my pants are getting tighter!!
I am very excited to be pregnant at the same time as my sister, our due dates are only 3 weeks apart!! Even though we're hundreds of miles apart we have fun calling and comparing symptoms and dr. visit news!!
Healing Hands Chiropractic Gulfport MS
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