Archives for 2004

Today was the baby’s first day out. I went with Mom to run a couple of errands. I got some stuff for Emma’s birthday party next Saturday. We went to a couple other places and then went to Boston Market to eat. Lexi slept through the entire thing which was great. She woke up about 1 mile before the house and was ready to eat. I don’t know how I’ll go out with both of them unless I can convince Emma to stay in the shopping cart but I’ll figure it out one day.

This afternoon Lexi had visits from one of Scott’s coworkers and then my friend M. We tried to get pictures of Lexi with only her onesie on and lying on her belly but I don’t think they probably turned out too good. She was way to squirmy and didn’t want to lay quite how they do in those cute pictures at the dr’s offices. Oh well. She said she would send me some of the pictures to see how they turned out.

Last night we had Scott’s family over for dinner for his dad’s birthday. We made a recipe from the Food Network. It was the Cuban Burgers by Bobby Flay and they were SO good. Definitely better than just a regular hamburger on the grill.

Last night Lexi woke up at 12 to eat and then right before 4. It wouldn’t have been so bad if she hadn’t stayed awake until almost 5:30. When Emma got up at 7:30, I didn’t think I was going to be able to get up. I should have taken a nap today but with our visitors, it didn’t make it in the schedule. If Scott would quit working in the garage, he could come watch the girls and let me sleep, but he would just be cranky if I did that probably.

I took Lexi back to the dr today for a weight check up. She was 6lb9oz, only an oz away from her birth weight. I also had the dr look at her for her jaundice, but she thought she just looked like she had olive-y skin. How she got that, I have no clue.

Hmm, I of course have a lot to catch up on. I went Wed. for my regular visit the first thing I said to the dr. was I was ready for the baby to come. He said but no, she’s not done cooking! I said, it’s been enough. He checked me right after I said that and said Wow, you’re 4-5 cms, have you been feeling contractions? I hadn’t and just a few posts ago said I hadn’t been feeling many. He said that I should go to the dr to be put on the monitor to see but he was pretty sure they would probably keep me. While I was waiting for him to fill out my chart, I thought I felt a contraction and asked him if I was having one and he said, yes, it was a mild one. So out the office I went. I was so excited. I didn’t think I could make it the full 40 weeks. Even as I had waited for that very appointment, I had sunk down into the sofa in the waiting room with my eyes closed. I was tired of being pregnant. So, on the way out, I called Scott and said, we’re going to the hospital and I’m not kidding! I think I kind of scared him because by the time I got to the house to pack my hospital bag (no, I hadn’t done a thing), he was flying around the house trying to get everything together. Mom had planned to go to Maryland that very afternoon so her and Heather met us at our house to keep Emma. By the time Scott and I got to the hospital, I was feeling the contractions every few minutes. They hooked me up and sure enough, they were coming every 2 minutes. I asked for the epidural since I was very scared of getting too far too fast and not getting it. So, the anesthesiologist came in and gave it to me although I was not feeling too much pain. She even remarked that I didn’t look like I was hurting. And I wasn’t really, but I was scared of what was to come. By 3:00 or so, I had a hot spot on my lower left side and they weren’t able to fix it by changing positions or anything so they gave me a shot of nesacain (sp?). By 3:30 or so, all of our family was there and by 4:00, I was pronounced 10cm! I couldn’t believe it was all happening so fast. I started pushing and only 12 minutes later, she arrived! I didn’t feel a thing during delivery and was even worried I would not feel enough to push, but I did and she came with 5 or 6 contractions. I couldn’t believe how calm the whole thing was. We all were having conversations between pushes. I didn’t even break a sweat. Don’t start getting jealous yet because I had a nice tear in my labia because she came out so fast. After the epidural wore off, the pain of the contractions that were now working on shrinking the uterus were very painful and my stitches were burning. It really hurt! I only had Motrin now to help and boy, it wasn’t doing it’s job. But it was inconsequential as I had a beautiful and healthy baby.

I chose breastfeeding again this time. Lexi had some troubles getting latched on. Sometimes, it took 20 minutes to get her on although she did fine once she was on. I finally had Scott buy a shield for me on Saturday and it definitely helped although she has not been using it every time. She usually sleeps from about 9:30 am to 12pm and then gets up to eat and then is down for the afternoon until I have to wake her up about 5 pm to eat. I know that’s probably too long but after a long night and busy morning, it’s a nice break.

So Emma is doing pretty good with her. She likes her but I don’t think likes the lack of attention she gets from me now. She doesn’t understand when she asks me to play and I can’t get up because I’m feeding her. Usually Daddy is an ok substitute and is fine. Our big problem with Emma started the day we came home. She had a fever and a stomach virus and ended up in our bed all night and threw up at 4am. And now we think we figured out she has been teething. I found one of her four back molars coming in and has accounted for several bouts of crankiness the past few days. She now tells us her teeth hurt and will ask for medicine.

As for me, I had a bad tear during birth since she came out so fast. I called the dr Sunday morning because it was really hurting. He prescribed me some Tylenol with Codein and told me to come into the office to be checked Monday. I did that and everything is fine, she just said it was bad and she wasn’t surprised it was hurting. Sitz baths and more medicine was all that could help.

Scott is off until Dec. 3. I’m not sure if he’ll make it that far. He gets so irritable when he is confined inside and a 2 year old that has the exact same temperament as him does not help. We’ll see though. I sure am enjoying him home. I can not get used to not working. I have logged in every day I have been home and have to force myself to not work. I know, craziness!

I guess that’s it for now. We’re all doing well and enjoying our time off!

She’s here early! Lexi Kathryn was born Nov. 3, 4:12 pm 6lb 10oz, 19 1/2″.

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=lfx6b81.bdg0n0ll&x=0&y=pvle5i

This past week has been a flurry. Friday and Saturday Scott and I went to the wedding I was in. Apparently not all of the last minute details were well planned because we spent all day Friday running errands between the bridal luncheon, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The wedding came out well on Saturday even though it started 30 minutes late and the DJ played the wrong song on the way out. Emma went to the church’s fall festival in her costume on Saturday night. I only saw a few pictures they were able to snap, but she looked pretty cute. Sunday night we went out to eat with my parents and dressed her up so we could see her. She seemed to like being in it. She did something a little funny. The waitress was dressed I guess you could say as a sexy vampire. Emma stared at her a lot when we first got there and on one of her trips to the table, looked at her and said Big Teeth! We all laughed including the waitress. I guess the beginnning of what could be a long list of funny/embarrassing things Emma might say.

At the dr. last week, I had gained I think 18 lbs and was dilated 1 cm. That was about all there. I go again in the morning and am hoping I’ve progressed a little more. I haven’t had many contractions so I wouldn’t be surprised if not. If Lexi were to come at the same time Emma did, she would come next Wednesday. That seems way too soon but at the same time, I am so ready to not be pregnant. Two nights ago I spent half the night in the recliner sort of sleeping. I can tell my hands and feet are starting to swell just a little. My heartburn/reflux still flares up at night frequently. My back is in a lot of pain. I need to go to the chiropractor maybe tomorrow.

I guess that is about it for now. I’m watching the votes come in this evening like most of America. Looks good for Bush so far.

The shower on Sunday went very well. Not nearly as much participation from the church members compared to Emma’s but that is expected with a second baby. We didn’t need as much this time around and I would have felt horrible if we had gotten as much this time as last time. I still have a few stacks of items to take back to the store of multiples we have.

Scott decided to make Emma’s toddler bed and it’s coming along. This is the biggest project he’s taken on to date by far. It looks like it’s going to be pretty nice.

Tomorrow morning Mom is having a yard sale and we’re having some things in it. I think I might have Emma stay with MIL because Scott has to go work the Clemson football game tomorrow and he’s leaving at 4am tomorrow! We need to get everything set up this evening.

Two nights ago I was having contractions 5 minutes apart for about 30 minutes. After I had laid down and drank some water, they went to 8 and 9 minutes apart and then stopped. The other wedding is next weekend and unless the dr. says I’m progressing too much on Wednesday, it looks like I’ll still be going.

Emma’s vocabulary seems to have exploded even since I just talked about all the words she can say just the other day. She’s really starting to use 2 and 3 words together. Wednesday out of the blue she told me and MIL on separate occassions the her back hurts. A black and blue mark showed up yesterday although I’m not positive where it came from. She has said no more milk, Emma do it. Then just little things like Emma trash, Emma potty, MawMaw’s house, out [of] mailbox. And she copies a lot of the phrases I say like this morning she called my necklace a bracelet and I said no, it’s a necklace, it goes around your neck. She said, necklace around neck.

My house needs a good cleaning. Maybe after the yard sale if MIL still has Emma I’ll do that. Scott will be gone for the day and I might actually be able to enjoy a clean house for more than 15 minutes before it is trashed again. It is kind of funny..the more I live with Scott, the more I hate clutter. I’m starting to value a living room with nothing on the floor or tables. I like looking across to the other side of the room and nothing interferes with “the view”. It just feels clean and good and right. Don’t tell Scott I said that though. My one pair of shoes allowed in the living room rule will be reduced to none and then I might lose my sanity although I might actually enjoy the clean floor.

Emma is napping, Scott is working and I have nothing much to do. I need to vaccuum but it would probably wake up Emma and I have no desire to have a grumpy baby on my hands this evening. We are headed to my friend and her new hubbie’s house for a cook out to show off their new grill (her words, not mine).

Monday the dr. said I had not dilated anymore and the head actually seemed less applied than last time although she thought that a little hard to believe it seemed. So, as far as I’m concerned, we are good to go. I’m 34 weeks now and they wouldn’t put me in the hospital if I happened to go into labor and the baby has like a 99% chance of excellent survival so I’m not really doing anything extra at this point. If I get tired, I sit down. If I’m really tired, I don’t ever get up. I still am trying to drink a good dose of water though. I can tell I get much more tired if I get dehydrated. I think I’ve gained about 23 pounds now. Not too bad. A lot of my maternity clothes are starting to get small. I’ve already started making a pile of never going to wear that again. I am getting more ready for her to come. We bought some pictures last night at Target for the nursery and today I bought the sheer fabric for Mom to make the curtains around the closet. We took the doors off, painted the walls the same and put the dresser in the closet with the changing table on top since that is such a small room. I like the way it looks. I’m hoping my aunt and uncle are ready to give up my cousin’s crib when Mom and Dad visit at the beginning of November. It would be great to have it before Christmas. SIL is letting me use my niece’s bassinet, so we don’t really NEED it, it would just be nice to finish off the room.

Tomorrow is our baby shower SIL is giving us at the church. I’m excited but for some reason I don’t feel like we need very much. I know we’ll get plenty though and it will be quite a feat to get it all organized when we get it home. Especially since Scott is working every day next week.

I made a list the other day of every word I could remember that Emma could say and added anything I heard her say as the day went on. There were over 150 words on there. Much more than I thought. I need to put that in her baby book or type them out here so I have it somewhere. It will be interesting to compare Lexi and Emma later. I know probably a big no-no but doesn’t it happen anyway?

Unfortunately, I’ve closed the comments on this site. I am sick and tired of all the spam. PLEASE email me if you would like to make a comment. I love hearing from everyone!

I went back to the dr on Wed. She said I am a fingertip dilated, still 50% effaced and the baby is at -1 station. She told me if I were to go into labor in the next week, she would put me on meds, but after that, she’d let the baby come. So, here we are at Friday night and nothing so far. I am still having quite a bit of contractions but I try to get off my feet and drink water when I have more than 2 in an hour. I don’t know if they’re technically called Braxton Hicks contractions since I know for sure I’m actually progressing from them, but I’m not in active labor, so I guess they might be. I am seriously doubting I will be lasting until 40 weeks but I don’t expect anything to happen in the next few weeks.

I’ve had a terrible time with heartburn, foot and leg cramps and general sleeping problems in the past week. Last night my calf completely locked up. I don’t think I’ve ever went from sleeping to standing up so quickly in my life. Even Scott woke up and asked if I was ok. Which I wasn’t for a few seconds there. I could not even move my muscle. I’m getting quite uncomfortable even in my maternity clothes. I was aching to be in my pj’s this evening. Where there was absolutely nothing stretching over my belly. Even though I know it’s too early for the baby to come, I would be okie dokie with not being pregnant at this point. It’s gotten to the uncomfortable stage and I’ll definitely be ready for her to come, even if it’s only a week or two early instead of 6 or 7.

I got Emma’s 0-3 mo clothes out and in Lexi’s drawers and closet. I haven’t washed them yet, I want to wait until it is a little closer. Last night we finished registering at Babies R Us. There was more to register for than I thought. I thought we had everything but there were some non-essentials we scanned. We also picked out her coming home outfit and her First Christmas outfit. Both are pretty cute, but for the price, they ought to be! Babies R Us makes way too much money off of their stuff!

I briefly talked to S, H’s mom from Columbia. She just had her new baby 2 weeks ago. H is still proving to be brilliant. She is not even 2 yet and counts in English AND Spanish, says her ABC’s, can spell several words and if I heard her right, she can write her name. It wouldn’t surprise me. Wow! Emma knows her colors, can say “a-b-c”, and can pronounce all the numbers (and knows when there are 2 of something) and letters, but that’s as far as we’ve gotten with that.

I think Emma is going to potty train herself. Before or after bath time she has been very interested in sitting on her potty and this past week, went several nights in a row. The other day I was changing her diaper and told her if she wanted to poop, she could tell me and we would go in her potty. Not 5 minutes later, she came over and held her diaper and said poop and we ran to her potty were she promptly pooped! I was so surprised. She hasn’t gone in the potty at all since then, but it is great that she is not afraid of it and it was her idea to go. I’m definitely not pushing the matter, but if she wants to go, then so be it.

Scott got switched to another shift at work. Same days, but opposite shift as what he is now which means he will be on nights for two months instead of one. Yucky. And he has heard nothing but bad things about the guys on the new shift. Great.

I’m having a contraction. Gotta go lie down.