O. is Me

Valentine's Day Swap Reveal!

2012-02-13T06:00:00.002-06:00

Hey pals! It's time to reveal your swap goodies!

Grab the button for your post!

My partner for the swap was Shelley from Life Hand in Hand. She is also a new momma with an adorable little girl, just like me! I had a great time shopping for her and spoiling her like crazy. Make sure you go visit her blog to see what she got me!

Anyway, she definitely spoiled me! Here's what she sent me.

She got me:
- Adorable cupcake/Valentine spatulas. She knows I love me some cupcakes and baking!! I actually needed some more of these and these are so perfect to match my pink KitchenAid hand mixer!
- Pink with red heart hand towels. So fun to give my kitchen a little V-day decor!
- Milk chocolate heart candy. Who doesn't love chocolate?? I kind of ate a few before I took the picture... whoops!
- A little 3-piece outfit for baby K! She looks sooooo cute in it!!

I forgot to get a picture of her in the outfit, but you can see part of it in this picture. We were having lunch with my besties!

What did you get? Link up your posts showing below!

Also make sure to visit my co-hosts Tara and Celia!

Morning Talk with Kennedy and Dexter

2012-02-10T14:19:00.001-06:00

Here's a chance to see my two kiddos together and their shenanigans. Kennedy wasn't as talkative today as last week (she was trying to poop...lol), but it's still fun to watch!

Wow. I'm annoying. Sorry about that.

Happy Friday!

My New Mom Pleasant Surprises

2012-02-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

One thing I've learned is there are a lot of things that people like to tell you on "what to expect" when you have a baby. Everyone has various opinions and experiences with pregnancy and motherhood, and that's what makes everyone unique! I am the type of person who welcomes any sort of advice (granted that it is deemed safe, of course). I enjoy hearing others' perspectives. It's just that when I am told I am doing something wrong (especially after the advice of a professional... aka a doctor) I get a little irked.

Some pieces of advice that stuck out to me were:

"Sleep when the baby sleeps."

"Your life is going to change forever."

"Go out to dinner as much as you can now."

I gotta be honest. After hearing a lot of advice and personal experiences, part of me thought that being a new mom was going to have quite miserable moments. I was going to be under house arrest for months, sleep deprived, and my social life was going to be non-existent. Before my due date, I kind of got anxious at times, thinking, "Oh my gosh, am I going to ever go to the mall again?!"

Now, that was just plain stupid to think that, first of all, and second of all, I did go to the mall again, thankyouverymuch. Except this time, I got to go to the mall with the cutest baby I have ever seen in my life.

I have had a lot of pleasant surprises being a new mother. I don't want to jinx myself here, because I suppose this could all change at the drop of a hat. So for now, I'd like to relish in these pleasant surprises.

Those surprises just so happen to be:

- Baby K usually sleeps all the way until 5:00-5:30 a.m. There are some days I have to wake her up to feed because my boobs hurt so bad (TMI, I know, but it is a fact of motherhood). She is a ridiculously good sleeper. She can also put herself to sleep and doesn't have to rely on me rocking her or having to use a pacifier. This is a MAJOR MOM WIN right here!

- K is great in the car. She loves going places with me and will be such an awesome shopping companion. Getting groceries and running errands are actually pretty easy with her since she loves to be toted around. I don't feel like I'm under house arrest during my maternity leave because she is easy to run around with. Granted, I do have to time outings around feedings pretty meticulously. I have had an incident when I didn't and I was stuck in the grocery store parking lot in the backseat of my car having to nurse her before doing the grocery shopping. It was a pretty sight to see, let me tell you.

- She is typically great in restaurants, particularly loud ones with lots of lights and ceiling fans and "baby crack" for her to look at. Sometimes she'll complain a little bit (she takes after her mother in that regard), but is overall awesome. I am taking advantage of lunching and going out to eat with the hubs now because I know this will be a different story when she can walk.

- Miss K is generally just a happy baby. She is smiling more and more each day and "cooing" and trying to talk to me. She does have her fussy period in evenings when she is tired and hungry (more of her complaining every now and then), but who can blame her? Being so cute is hard work.

Again, I know this could all change within seconds and all of a sudden none of this would apply to my child, but I just wanted to brag, okay?! I have the most perfect child in the freaking universe (oh dear, I'm already becoming THAT MOM)! I wanted to give some hope to the rest of the world that being a new mom isn't exactly this prison sentence that some make it out to be! Even if it were, it would be the best prison sentence I've ever served. That piece of advice that I got... you know, the "your life is going to change forever" one? Totally true, and totally for the better.

Baby O. in Photos (volume 3)

2012-02-03T11:37:00.001-06:00

You know you want your weekly dose of Miss Kennedy!!

My little cupcake!

Me and the babe

Checking her out in the rear view mirror while we drive around. I love that mirror in the back seat so I can see what she's up to. She loves her car rides!

Another kitty outfit from the set that Savanah got her. KITTY FEEEEET!

SMILES!!!

I am up to something mysterious.

Oh, just the girls

Another "dramatic" pic, only this time it looks like we're singing

This swaddle blanket is amazing. It's got little velcro thingies to get her swaddled real tight, even though she managed to poke some fingers out (this brand). It could be coincidence, but last night when I put her in this (after never having used it before... I have no idea why), she put herself to sleep at 10:45 and I had to wake her up to eat at 7:45 a.m. the next morning! I will say that she is a good sleeper, usually waking only once around 5 a.m. to eat, but this was miraculous!

Now, these last two items may make your ovaries explode.
Don't say I didn't warn you.

Dexter is the baby protector. We have caught him in her bassinet sleeping at her feet!!

Gah! Melt my heart! Something about her changing table makes her a smiley, gooey, talkative little girl. I actually enjoy changing her diapers now!

Happy Friday!

Drugstore Beauty Must: L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Liner

2012-02-01T07:00:00.001-06:00

Everyone loves a great drugstore beauty buy, right?

I have sang praises for gel eyeliner for months now, and it is still my favorite type of eyeliner. If you remember, I even did a video tutorial on the different ways I apply gel eyeliner. I feel it provides the most versatility - you can create as thin or as thick of a line as you please.

However! I read some really good reviews on this particular eyeliner and I decided I wanted to give it a go. I figured it might come in handy for those days where I want to switch things up and not use my gel eyeliner.

Which eyeliner, you ask?

L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Liner

Buy HERE

It's available pretty widespread at most drugstores. It's under $10. It is a pencil that requires sharpening with a little smudger on the other end.

Using the Product:
- This liner glides on very soft and creamy
- It is very pigmented. I have it in the carbon black shade and it is very, very black
- This stuff smudges amazingly. I don't particularly care for the smudger on the other end. I use my pencil brush to smudge it out.
- This stuff really stays put all day. The staying power is just as good as my beloved gel eyeliner.

Thoughts After Using the Product:
- I do not care for the fact that it is a pencil, simply because it requires you to sharpen it all the time if you want a very fine point.
- I do not sharpen it all the time, so this ends up working the best if I want to apply it quickly and then immediately smudge it.
- It is my favorite eyeliner if I want to smudge.

The Liner on Me:

I applied the liner, smudged it, and then softly applied a little more on my lash line.

Bottom Line:
Definitely worth picking up. I actually have used this quite a bit as my method of application is very quick. Very beneficial for me because I don't really have all the time in the world to put on makeup nowadays (thanks, Baby O).

Things You May Not Know About Me

2012-01-30T11:23:00.000-06:00

I was my University's Homecoming Queen my senior year of college. Yes, I am royalty.

I can impersonate a seagull. Don't believe me? Here is evidence (from like 5 years ago...)

I had just taken this picture right before I was officially introduced to the man who is now my husband. Yes, I am smoking a cigar. I'm classy. Glad that didn't turn him off.

I played Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret

This is the most snow I've ever seen in my life.

I'm a bad Texan and don't really listen to country music. My husband is from Massachusetts and he seems to enjoy it more...

I once directed a play with a giant pool of water in the middle of the stage. And yes, the actors used it.

Other Things:
- I'm left handed
- The only food I don't like is mushrooms
- My favorite drink at Starbucks is a Skinny Caramel Macchiato
- I studied abroad one summer in London
- I don't like the feel of unfinished wood (i.e. popsicle sticks)
- I always sing the harmony to songs when jamming in my car
- I am a fantastic swimmer
- I've only lived in Houston and in Corpus Christi

Can you relate to any of these?

Baby O. in Photos (volume 2)

2012-01-27T12:55:00.001-06:00

I guess you all enjoyed the last time I posted a bunch of photos of Miss Kennedy, so I might make this a weekly thing!

Here's some recent pics of her. If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you have probably seen most of these. Oh well!!

At dinner with daddy last weekend

This child is already getting some chubs. Sooooo cute.

Her Royal Highness drinks from the finest Waterford crystal.
(I swear my sister was not feeding her wine from the Waterford. This is for entertainment purposes only.)

My little baby burrito

Melt my heart!

Oh my goodness. My child started to LEGIT smile last week. I felt like the proudest mom ever.

Watch out, y'all. My girl already has swag. Peace, homies!

At my 6-week postpartum doctor's appointment... only this time with a baby! Sorry for the blurriness.

Baby's first colorblocked outfit. Swag AND style? Yes, please! Can you tell that I just love putting those little headband flower bows on her head? I just think it makes her look girly, which I love.

She is fitting in some of her 3 month clothes! And Savanah (the cat lady I adore) got her this outfit. Isn't it just so cute? I giggled so much when I put it on her. Awwww kitty baby!! Being the crazy cat lady that I am, this just makes me happy.

Well, I know this isn't the baby. But he's our first baby and he was feeling a little left out of this post.

Don't worry - he loves his baby sister!

Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

2012-01-25T13:52:00.000-06:00

I have enjoyed cooking healthy meals while on maternity leave, especially things that are easy and involve my crock pot. I just love throwing ingredients in a pot and having it be ready for me when I'm ready to eat! Of course, Pinterest is a great place to find such inspiration. I tried this recipe the other night and just had to share it with you.

Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

Source: skinnytaste.com via Meg on Pinterest

I actually found a new recipe that I am in love with, too: skinnytaste.com! Great healthy recipes that are Weight Watchers friendly, too (if you're into that)!

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped
1 16-oz can black beans
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
1 packet taco seasoning
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
chili peppers, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation Instructions:
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream.

My version:

You can't really see, but I whipped up some rice in the rice cooker and and served the chili over it. Yum!!

And since this is Pinterest inspired, I'm going to link this up with Michelle today!

My Talents are Endless (aka a New Addiction)

2012-01-23T07:00:00.004-06:00

I don't speak of it much here, but I am a huge music nerd. I'm classically trained singer since forever. I actually sing with the Houston Symphony Chorus. I took eight years of piano. So basically, I'm awesome.

I giggle at things like this:

Source: ldsorganplayer.com via Meg on Pinterest

ahahahahahahaha

With that being said, this iPhone app just made me about pee my pants. It's called VidRhythm and I am officially addicted. My sister introduced it to me, when she made an awesome video cheering on the Texans and posted it on her facebook.

What's not to love about singing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in four-part harmony with yourself and your baby who has the hiccups?! Just watch.

Not only do they have a few classics, but you can make dubstep, rap, techno, and much more! I could play with this all day (and maybe I have).

Now my talents are ENDLESS.

Muahahahahahaha.

How'd ya get here?

2012-01-19T07:00:00.003-06:00

There are many ways that one can gain readership on their blogs. Social networking, advertising, etc. One way is through search engines. I'd like to think everyone finds my blog by searching really cool things. And they do. Mostly makeup, Clarisonic, and food related queries get people here.

However, there are some questionable things people actually type into search engines. I am disturbed at what some people actually google. And I am fascinated that I can actually see what people typed into a search engine to find my blog. Thank you, Google Analytics!

Perhaps you found my blog by searching one of the following:

"thong leotard" - ha.

"pretty cupcake" - yep, all the cupcakes I eat are pretty.

"80s aerobics"

"drawing on newspaper"

"thong aerobics"

"boston puns"

"cupcake hd"

"asian pregnant yoga" - I don't know why I find this one so funny.

"baby shower swollen feet"

"blogger+tranny" - Let me just clear this up before rumors start flying. I am not a tranny.

"crazy cat lady dexter" - alright, that does actually apply to me. I'LL GIVE YOU THAT ONE.

"home girl spray tan" - because the best way to do a spray tan is the home girl way.

"i want to decorate my house but i suck" - I can relate.

"jennifer love hewitt bum"

"me getting naked" - I blame this one on my raves on the Naked Palette.

"me tranny" - in case you were trying to figure out whether or not you are one...

"oh me such a good apple pie" - I do make a killer apple pie. Thanks for asking.

"paula deen edward cullen" - Interesting combination.

"owl sipping drink" - Um... what?

"post op tranny leotard" - Now this is just a disturbing mental image.

"thick white booty" - Yep, I have one of those.

"you all look amazing pretty ladies" - Why, thank you!

"ماسكارا ديور اكستي" - I agree. (Okay, so I copy-pasted that into Google and I think it has something to do with mascara. Thank goodness.)

"white girls with ka dunk a dunk" - Definitely applies to me, too.

Apparently thongs, aerobics, trannies, and booty really get people here. I blame it on this post, this post, and this post.

All right. Fess up, people.

How'd ya get here?!

And for your viewing pleasure, I leave you with me circa Halloween 2004 in an 80s aerobics thong leotard.

You're welcome.

1 Month

2012-01-17T15:29:00.001-06:00

Are you getting tired of all these baby posts? Too bad.

Today baby Kennedy is one month old!

I cannot believe it's been a month already! And now my sweet little baby isn't considered a "newborn" anymore. My little girl is growing up so fast!

Last night, she fell asleep on me (like she does very often). I was staring at her and I felt the need to write her a little letter. I wasn't in arm's reach of my computer, so I typed one up on my phone. I thought I would share it with you. It pretty much sums up how I'm feeling right now. I'm telling you, motherhood makes you a hot emotional love mess.

See? Told ya. Who knew I would get so emotional over watching my little girl sleep. I'm loving every second of it.

Birth Announcements

2012-01-13T12:15:00.002-06:00

Last weekend, my good friend Leslie (we've been pals since high school) offered to come over and do some amazing newborn shots. I am going to showcase more of them later, but I just wanted to show off our birth announcement! I know I might be ruining the surprise element for my friends and family who will receive these in the mail, but just pretend to be surprised, okay?

I got the chance to work with Tiny Prints again for these announcements. I am, without a doubt, impressed with the quality of their personalized paper goods. My Christmas cards came out flawless! You can check out their selection of birth announcements here. They also have a really cute selection of personalized Valentine's Day cards and party invitations. How adorable is that?

Anyway, without further adieu, here they are!

Aren't they just precious?

Like I said, I'm going to talk more in another post about my photographer friend, Leslie, but let me just say she is such a pleasure to work with and all of y'all need to go follow her on twitter. She is still launching her website, so I'll be sure to post that link when she gets it.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Disclosure: For writing this post, Tiny Prints is offering me 75 prints of this birth announcement.

Valentine's Day Swap!

2012-01-11T06:00:00.004-06:00

Will you be my Valentine?

Tara from Fabulous But Evil, Celia from Celia's Way and myself are here to bring you...

a little Valentine Swap-a-roo!

Are you excited?

Here are the details:

Sign ups begin today and go on through Wednesday, January 18th. To join in on the fun, just link your blog/twitter!
We will email you your swap partner's information by Friday, January 20th
Please mail your package by Monday, January 30th
Please limit yourself to spending no more than $10.00 (prepostage). Ideas for gifts: gift cards, candy, makeup, nail polish!
Spread the word on Twitter! Feel free to tweet "Join @fabulousbutevil, @mo_meg & @CeliasWay for a little Valentine Swap! http://www.oismeblog.com"
Come back on Monday, February 13th and link up to show off your swap goodies!
Please leave a comment below if you are willing to send an international package.
If at anytime you are no longer able to participate please let one of us know! No one likes to send off a package only to not receive one back.
Please note if you flaked out of our last swap you will be pulled out of this swap.

Baby O. Photo Dump

2012-01-10T12:03:00.000-06:00

Here's some pictures I've been taking of Miss Kennedy lately. I think I've taken about five thousand pictures of her in the three weeks of her life.

So is this a cop out post? Possibly. Just enjoy the pictures.

On Christmas Eve at Katie's house. She's one week old here

Looks like she's whistling

I swaddle her very tightly at night and she always seems to get one arm out. Looks like she's praising the lawd.

I have two Moby Wraps. Haven't had much of a chance/use to wear them out but after figuring out how to even put the thing on, I put her in it. I guess she liked it alright!

I wonder what she's dreaming about?

We go on walks around the neighborhood pretty much daily. She loves the stroller. We've also had really warm weather in the 70s, which is great.

Strawberry butt! I keep her in onesies/footsies pretty much all day and all night. She doesn't really have any "outfits" that fit her yet. Am I a bad mom? When we do take her out, she's in her car seat bundled up under a blanket.

I tried to get a picture of the two of us, but she started getting dramatic. So I got dramatic with her. HAHA.

Oh hai, I gots a pink hat.

Being this pretty is hard

I swear she smiled at me.

Baby Kennedy's Birth Story: Part 3

2012-01-08T16:52:00.002-06:00

I promise this is the final part of the birth story! I know I have been leaving you all on some cliffhangers. Read part one here and part two here.

So, where were we? Right, I was about to push.

The nurses brought in the stuff they needed to get me to start pushing. They set up those stirrup thingies, and even brought in a mirror, in case I wanted to see. I told them not now, and I would ask for it if I wanted it.

Here we go.

They instructed me to take a deep breath, push like I had to poop, holding my breath, and while they counted to ten. I know how to take some deep breaths from diaphragmatic breathing used in singing and acting, so I figured this would be a breeze. With each push, one nurse held one leg, Greg held the other, and the other nurse was down below assessing. The doctor wouldn't be called in until it was getting close.

The nurses both said I was "doing great" and my pushes were awesome. We, however, find a new development. The baby was face up, which makes for an even more difficult delivery. When a baby is face up, the largest part of the head is subject to coming out first, which can be more traumatic for both mother and baby. It would also take longer for me to deliver her.

Each time a contraction would come on, I would push. I eventually did ask for the mirror. Now, that was something else. Who would have ever thought my lady parts would look like that. I could see her head. But it wasn't going anywhere!

So, here we are about two hours later. I've been pushing with everything I've got, yet there has been no progress. Apparently she's kind of stuck. Then I start running a fever. I am told that we can keep going, but if my fever reaches a certain point, the baby has to automatically be taken to the NICU (newborn intensive care unit) upon delivery. When I heard the word "NICU" I immediately panicked. There was no way I was going to subject my child to injury, fever, and possible infection all because I wanted to deliver her vaginally.

I was given the option to keep pushing, but those odds weren't looking that good simply because she hadn't moved much more down the birth canal (plus all of the other things)... or get right in for a c-section. I didn't hesitate. I would gladly have them gut me like a fish so my baby would be safe. C-section it is. I made the doctor promise to sew me up real tight and make my abs go back to the way they were. She said that I had nothing to worry about because she does one hell of a c-section and she would sew my muscles back (apparently some doctors don't sew abdominal muscles back together after a c-section - they just stitch up the exterior). And for some reason, I felt at peace. I know c-sections are major abdominal surgery and require more recovery, but I just knew that she was going to do a great job on me.

Now here's where things get a tad messed up. Apparently there were about 3 other women in line in front of me for c-sections (the hospital was extremely busy that night), so I had to wait. Over two hours. This is where I probably felt the most agonizing pain. Since I had pushed so hard and so effectively, the poor baby was jammed in my pelvis and giving me the most excruciating, extreme pressure. This was far worse than those devil pitocin contractions. Poor Greg was scared for me (although he never showed it) and my mother (who came in to check on me) kept telling them to move faster. My fever was rising, and the clock was ticking to almost 24 hours since my water broke the previous morning. There was nothing the nurse staff could do. I think the anesthesiologist came back in and upped my drugs, but that didn't provide any relief for me. I was in so much pain. I started shaking uncontrollably. Oh my God, get her out! She is stuck!! Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was our turn. Greg suited up in some scrubs and then all of a sudden I was being wheeled out.

It was just like the movies, where the camera angle is on the ceiling and all you see are the fluorescent lights, one after the other. I don't remember who was there, or if anyone was talking; I just remember those lights. I'm wheeled into the operating room, where there must have been at least fifteen people in there prepping things and hurriedly moving around the room. About 20 million people lifted me and moved me to the operating table, like I was some huge beached killer whale. There was another anesthesiologist who started numbing me even more. He took a needle and was poking me around my body asking me if I could feel the poke... Nope. I was numb all the way up to my chest, although my arms were still shaking uncontrollably (apparently the anesthesia can do that). Greg reappears and sits by my side. The anesthesiologist lets him know when he should stand up to take a picture of the baby. I hear weird noises and I try not to imagine what they could possibly be doing down there, although I know exactly what they're doing.

I feel some pressure. Oh dear goodness, some intense pressure. We later learned that the poor baby was so stuck in my pelvis, the doctor had to pretty much get on top of me and yank her out. Oh, and her head just so happens to be ridiculously huge (still is). She also later tells me that I am one heck of a pusher because she was so stuck (hey, at least I know I'm in shape). I knew I pushed right! Anyway, I hear more noises. Then the anesthesiologist tells Greg, "Here it is! Get the camera out and take a picture!" Which he does. The picture came out really blurry/bright and my guts are in it, so I'm not sure you'd like to see that.

I hear more noises and shuffling and finally... my baby's cry. It's a cute cry. Not really a screaming cry. For some reason, I knew her cry would sound like that. I recognized her. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see her right as they pulled her out. Greg is with her while they clean her, weigh and measure her and what not.

Her first picture

the scale thingie

Finally he brings her over to me. I am still shaking uncontrollably so I can't even hold her. I take one look at her face and I feel like I've known her forever. I feel so bad, though, because her eye is swollen and she looks a little beat up from all of that effective pushing. Why did I beat her up like that? Poor thing!

We sing "Happy Birthday" to her and just soak in the precious miracle that was brought to us. We comment that she has mommy's eyes and daddy's nose. We made this little girl! It only must have been about five minutes we got to spend there together, but it felt like time stood still.

Baby Kennedy's Birth Story: part 2

2012-01-05T07:00:00.002-06:00

Read part 1 here.

So, we left off how I'm in the delivery room, feeling pretty chipper and not really feeling contractions. I got the pitocin (synthetic form of oxytocin to produce contractions) around 3:30 (we were admitted to the hospital around 12:30). It took a little while for the pitocin to really hit me, but when it did, boy it did. At this point I was on my second nurse, Hanna. She was a sweet blonde girl.

Now, this is where my memory starts to suck because of pain/delerium.

Contractions hurt like a bi-yotch. I don't even know how to explain what it feels like. But it hurts. About three hours into the pitocin kicking in, I asked for the epidural. I wanted labor to progress as much as it could without having the epidural, and I made it three hours. I was a wimp. But to my defense, pitocin makes for some FOR REAL contractions. That stuff is the devil.

Before I got the epidural, my OB/GYN came in to check on me. And tell me that he wouldn't be there to deliver my baby. He had a Christmas party to go to and he wasn't on call. Um, yeah. I wish I was kidding. My mom was in the room freaking out and pissed off. Meanwhile, I'm puking in a plastic bowl, really out of it, and not really saying anything because I was in so much pain. I honestly don't remember much of that conversation. I was just like "Whatever, man."

I got my third and final nurse, Kristen. Another pretty blonde girl who just so happened to have her birthday on December 17 (which it was looking like my baby would have the same birthday). Kristen literally stayed by my side at every moment monitoring me and providing support. I also had another nurse, Simi, checking on me. She was super sweet and very funny.

Then the anesthesiologist came in to bring me my magical drugs. I don't even remember what he looked like or what really went on before I got it, I was in so much pain. Everyone had to leave the room while I got the epidural. The wait was pretty agonizing but once I got the epidural, I felt pretty immediate relief. I could have kissed the man, even though I still don't remember what he looked like. Another cool thing was that I had control of my legs, it's just that they were numb. I always thought the epidural would make me a complete dead weight, and it certainly did not. It took the edge off, even though I could feel some pressure while having contractions.

The doctor who was on call and who was going to deliver my baby came in and introduced herself. She seemed pretty cool. And right after she introduced herself, she was like "Well, now that we are introduced, I'm going to stick my hand up your vagina." It was pretty awesome. I immediately liked her and knew that if my doctor trusted her, I was in good hands. The fact that my doctor was not on call (and it was inconveniently the weekend) was not something I could have controlled and I decided I wasn't going to be mad at him.

Then the waiting game continued. I wasn't progressing much and the contractions from the pitocin weren't producing as effective of contractions as the doctor had hoped (strangely enough, since those contractions were the devil incarnate). I wasn't really in much pain. They just kept pumping me with fluids (since I had lost my amniotic water starting at 6:30 a.m. and there wasn't much cushion left for the baby) and I kept gushing them out all over the bed linens. I swear my poor nurse must have changed my linens about twenty times. Yeah, I know. Gross. Don't say I didn't warn you.

At this point, I was pretty calm. I might have tweeted a bit and I decided I was going to take a few pictures from my phone. These are those. My epidural-induced self takes pretty crappy phone photos.

BFF Katie and my Mom

Greg where he spent most of the day/night... by my side. Love him.

I was stuck at 5-6 cm dilated for a while (you have to be at a 10 in order to push and deliver). They checked me about 2 am and I was about the same. Then in the course of about 30 minutes, I felt a lot of pressure and I wanted to push. They didn't think I was ready but I insisted that something felt different. Sure enough, when they checked me, I was fully dilated.

I was ready to push. It was around 3:15 a.m. I mustered all of the yoga and diaphramatic breathing I learned through singing and acting and prepped myself for the home stretch.

...or so I thought.

Baby Kennedy's Birth Story: Part 1

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

(First thing's first. If you expect a birth story to be all butterflies and puppy dogs, you might reconsider reading this. I'm not gonna hold back, people...)

Nothing like starting off the new year with the story of new life, right? I've divided this up into a few different parts so I can focus on as many details as I can.

Alrighty! Here we go.

It all started the morning of Friday, December 16. I woke up to go to my last day of work before holiday break... still pregnant. I had tried just about everything to naturally go into labor. I walked miles, ate spicy food, took Evening Primrose Oil, bounced on an exercise ball, went to yoga, ate about 3 pineapples, drank red raspberry leaf tea, and many other things!

Needless to say, I was a bit frustrated. At my doctor's appointment that previous Tuesday, I was told that my cervix was "unfavorable", as I had only dilated 1 cm and was about 60% effaced. Not only that, the baby was measuring over 8 pounds via ultrasound. My doctor was worried that I wouldn't be able to deliver vaginally. I wasn't a candidate for induction because of my cervix's condition. He wouldn't induce me until I would be a week overdue, and by then the baby could very well be over 9 pounds. Also, given my family history (my mom had 3 c-sections), there wasn't much in my favor. I was going to do everything I could to go into labor on my own, so I could at least say I tried everything I could.

So, back to the morning of Friday, December 16. I woke up, still pregnant, and used the bathroom, just like I always do in the morning. I noticed a little gush more than usual although I didn't think much of it. I thought it just might be more cervical mucus or something. I got dressed and ready for work, and then all of a sudden, another little trickle (we're not talking a waterfall here) that left me having to change my underwear. I still didn't think anything of it and went to school.

At school, I felt fine, although I kept "leaking" every now and then. I had one class left for them to present their final presentations and I was actually done with the kids by 9:30. I had a great morning with them. Once that was over, I thought to myself "Wow, I actually made it all the way up to the end of the semester." But I kept leaking. Greg encouraged me to call the doctor's office nurse line and I reluctantly called. They told me to get to the office ASAP, and if I were, indeed, leaking amniotic fluid, they would send me straight over to the hospital. YIKES.

Luckily, Greg had taken the day off. He saved up his vacation days to take the last two weeks of December off. I headed straight home. We got all of our bags that we packed for the hospital, just in case. The car seat was in the car (strangely enough we put it in another car the night before because the AC in my car went out), just in case. We headed to my doctor's office. We enjoyed listening to (and singing) Christmas music together, not even knowing (but somehow suspecting) that it would be our last car ride together as a couple. The next time we'd be riding in the car, there would be a little baby in it!

I got checked into the doctor, waited a short time. The doctor came in and examined me. Then a lot of fluid gushed. Oh yeah, that was amniotic fluid.

My water had broken. I went to work with a broken water. Ha.

Yeah, and about that... it is dangerous to go more than 24 hours with a broken water and not deliver. There is a risk of infection. So, basically, I knew at that point I had to deliver by 6:30ish the next morning.

I was sent immediately over to the hospital (which is across the parking lot from my OB/GYN's office), where they were expecting us. I wasn't in any pain. I didn't feel any contractions. The security guard at check-in even said "You don't look like you're about to have a baby." I walked myself into L&D, where they ushered us to our room. I was in a pretty happy mood. I always pictured going to the hospital in excruciating pain, screaming, and having to be wheeled in. Definitely wasn't the case.

I changed into my hospital gown and we poked around the room. It was a nice room with a great view of the Houston Medical Center and the Galleria area. You know, those things count. I even did a blog post from my phone. Ha!

My first nurse, Jody, came in and started hooking me up to all the monitors (the fetal heart monitor and the contraction monitor). She put an IV in (which took three different tries and ended up having to be put in an uncomfortable part of my left hand, which is my dominant hand). Apparently I was having contractions 3-4 minutes apart and I didn't even feel it!

Then they put the pitocin in my IV...

2011 Wrap Up

2011-12-31T09:00:00.000-06:00

2011 was definitely a year of change for us over at the O. household. Let's take a look...

My students' competition play was awesome.

I went to my very first blogger meetup and have continued to make FOR REAL friends through blogging!

We found out I was pregnant (and 9 weeks along, at that).

We bought a house.

We went to NYC and Long Island.

We found out Baby O is a girl and decided to name her Kennedy.

The fall show I directed went amazingly.

I was a prenatal yoga pro.

My family members, friends, students, and coworkers showered me and my baby with love.

My belly grew and grew (and so did my thighs). I had a wonderful, healthy pregnancy without any complications whatsoever.

We welcomed little Kennedy Michele into the world. She came (pretty much) right on time.

She is the light of our lives.

I thank God for all of the blessings He has given us this year. 2011 really ended on such a high note. I can't wait to see what's in store for us for 2012. I'm looking forward to it very much!

Did your 2011 end on a high note?

My Hair Curling Routine (video)

2011-12-29T22:38:00.000-06:00

Finally, up in this series of my routines is my hair curling routine! Now, this one is particularly epic because I do some fantastic Christmas singing. So, I have to post this before New Year's since it's still okay to listen to Christmas music. Ha. If you'd like to check out my other routines, I have:

My Liquid Foundation Routine
My Eye Makeup Routine

You might also want to check out my Highlighting/Contouring tutorial to see how I apply blush, bronzer, and highlighter.

For this hair curling routine, I'm using a curling iron. I know a lot of people curl their hair this way, and I'm just another girl in the sea of hair curling videos. Oh well. If you'd like to see how I curl my hair with my flat iron, check out this post.

Enjoy!

And yes, I know I am extremely talented. I take singing requests for future tutorial videos / vlogs! Ha.

Products Used:
It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product (night before)
Tresemme Heat Tamer Protective Spray
Suave Touchable Finish Hairspray, Extra Hold (forgot to mention that I spray my head all over with this at the end)

Curling Iron:
Hot Tools Ceramic Tourmaline Curling Iron (1-1/4 inch barrel)

My Eye Makeup Routine (video)

2011-12-29T10:32:00.000-06:00

Second up in my series of routines is my eye makeup routine! If you'd like to see my foundation routine, go here.

Obviously, this varies from day to day, as I own a crap ton of eyeshadows, palettes, and I just love applying eye makeup. I am known to do a smoky eye on any normal day. But for today's purposes, I wanted to focus on something fairly neutral and I'm using the Naked Palette, since I know a lot of you own that.

Enjoy!

Products Used:
Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden
Naked Palette eyeshadows
Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Granite Ink
DiorShow Waterproof Mascara in Black

Brushes Used:
Sigma E60 Large Shader (all over lid up to brow bone with highlight color)
Sigma E55 Eye Shading (all over lower lid)
Sigma E70 Medium Angled Shading (crease)
Sigma E35 Tapered Blending (outer corner in "v")
Sigma E40 Tapered Blending (blending all eyeshadows in afterward)
Sigma E05 Eye Liner (for gel eyeliner)
Sigma Pencil E30 (blending out eyeliner)

My Liquid Foundation Routine (video)

2011-12-27T12:49:00.003-06:00

Hi ladies!

I've had some requests for some of my beauty routines. During Thanksgiving break, I filmed all of them and am now posting them while I recover and spend time with my darling baby girl. Don't worry - my birth story is coming up soon!

First up is my liquid foundation routine!

In the video, I first talk about what foundations I actually own, what I like in a foundation, and then what I applied beforehand. If you want to skip that and go straight to me applying the foundation, go to about 5 minutes into the video. Just a little FYI.

Enjoy!

And pardon my pregnant-ness. And absolutely no makeup on for more than half the video. Also, I don't know why the audio didn't sync well... working on fixing that!

Products Used:

Yes to Carrots Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer

Revlon Colorstay Foundation (Combo/Oily Formulation)
Bobbi Brown Corrector

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

Brushes Used:

Sigma F50 Duo Fibre Brush

Sigma F70 Concealer Brush

Sigma F60 Foundation Brush

Sephora Brand Concealer Brush

All I Wanted for Christmas...

2011-12-26T12:02:00.004-06:00

...I got.

Hope you and yours enjoyed a wonderful day yesterday full of love and happiness!

How Wonderful Life is Now You're in the World

2011-12-21T13:30:00.003-06:00

Let me introduce you to someone very special.

Here's her first picture with daddy just minutes after birth.

Kennedy Michele

Born 7:27 a.m. on December 17, 2011

7 lb 15 oz

19 1/2 in

I'm not going to lie, it was a really tough labor that eventually ended in a C-Section. My husband was amazing, along with my mom, mother-in-law, sister and my BFF Katie. They all stuck with me for the entire time and encouraged me. It was one of the toughest things I've ever had to do but at the end of the day, I'd do it all over again for her. She is perfect.

We're all home and safe and enjoying our time together. I'll post more details about birth and this past weekend, but for now, I thought you all would be happy to finally see what her name is.

Thank you so much for your incredibly sweet comments, tweets, emails, smoke signals, etc. I truly appreciate every single one of them. I wish I had time to respond to each and every one!

Preggo Meg O. - Due Date!

2011-12-16T13:29:00.001-06:00

Well, I guess Baby O listened to me when I said I wanted her to come on time!

We are currently in the hospital so she will be here soon!!

Snickerdoodles, oh my!

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

I love holiday baking. Particularly Christmas cookies!! Not only do I love Christmas cookies, I love to make everything from scratch. Now if only I had that darn stainless steel KitchenAid stand mixer I put on my baby registry. (Yeah, you read that right. We never got one from our wedding registry so I put it on my baby registry. No shame!) I do, however, have an adorable pink KitchenAid hand mixer that I guess suffices in the meantime.

Anyway...

Greg and I have a holiday tradition of making all sorts of Christmas cookies. We ~~are fatties~~ eat what we want and then give them away to friends, family, and I even bring some to school. This year, since I'm so darn pregnant, we just made a few of our favorite things, even though we still ended up with about 8 dozen cookies. One of those things were Snickerdoodles.

Snickerdoodles are definitely one of my favorite Christmas cookies. They're so simple, yet they are just so yummy! It also doesn't hurt that they're incredibly easy to make. I love the subtle hint of cinnamon and how fluffy my Snickerdoodles get! And instead of red/green sugar, I like rolling my cookies in sprinkles! Sprinkles make everything better. I figured I'd share my recipe with y'all, just in case you get a hankering for some yourself.

Snickerdoodles

yield 5 dozen

Ingredients:

1 c. butter
1 and 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 and 3/4 c. flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Preparation Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in salt, flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Roll dough into 1 inch balls.
In a small bowl, place sugar, cinnamon, and sprinkles / red and green sugar. I just eyeball this.
Roll dough balls in cinnamon/sugar/sprinkles mixture and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

What's your favorite Christmas cookie to make? Do share!