O MY Goodness

O. M.Y. Goodness

2011-10-24T18:59:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking for a while now about changing the name of my blog. I'm working on creating a banner but I've decided on "O.M.Y. Goodness" to be the new name. I think it captures very well what the point of my little blog is: it is me sharing all the good and cute moments (and on occassion the not so good and cute) that come with these two little boys of mine... and both of their initials just happen to be O.M.Y.

So be prepared to update bookmarks if you must... in the near future I will be officially making the change.

And here is a little taste of today's goodness:

They just make their mommy's heart smile!

2 weeks

2011-10-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

Itty Bitty is 2 weeks old today. Already!

In two weeks...

I have fallen in love. Not only with my new son, but I have also fallen in love with Nate and Oliver in new ways as I see them step into new roles.

I have cuddled like there's no tomorrow... because I know my todays are numbered.

I have melted. Over and over again. My home is full of love and I see it in every one of Oliver's discoveries and every one of Owen's gassy smiles.

I have been surprised. By Oliver, by Owen, by Nate... by myself. We are four amazing people making up one incredible little family.

I have appreciated the little things. I have a wonderful life

Oh Brother!

2011-10-19T23:11:00.001-04:00

Oliver is the BEST big brother! Ever!

It was love at first sight for him meeting his baby. He NEEDS to kiss the baby constantly. He is concerned whenever he hears the baby make a noise and will lead me over to check on him. When we change the baby's diaper, Oliver will bring us his size 6 ones...just in case we need extra coverage, I guess. He tries to give Owen his pacifier. He helps me burp him. He has had no problems at all welcoming the baby home to join in our routines... in fact, he's been surprisingly flexible in adapting our routine for bedtime to include Owen.

He is the BEST helper and the BEST brother! I am one lucky momma!

To Owen...You are Loved

2011-10-16T21:05:00.001-04:00

I wanted you more than you'll ever know.....

...so I sent love to follow wherever you go

When I was pregnant with Oliver a friend gave us a copy of On the Night You Were Born, by Nancy Tillman. Nate read it to Oliver when he was born and we had a beautiful experience sharing the beautiful words with our beautiful son.

I knew we needed to have that moment with Owen, but I wasn't sure if we would do so with the same book, buying Owen his own copy or sharing the one we have... or try to find another book that captures our love for our child. I couldn't find another book like it... one that Nate would read to the baby and we would both feel our hearts grow in our chests and spill out in happy tears.

The evening before Owen was born my mother and I went to Kohls (she needed clothes and I needed to walk out some contractions). The first thing I noticed was that this month's Kohls Cares for Kids author was Nancy Tillman. I was drawn to this book.

On the front leaf of the book jacket is a picture of a giraffe... the animal I was drawn to for Owen during my pregnancy (Oliver's animal is an elephant). I just knew this book would be special. I read it in the store and had to stop halfway through to collect myself, and I sent Nate the message that I found Owen's book.

It is beautiful. Every parent can relate to these words. I don't know how she does it, but Nancy Tillman can somehow take the emotions and meaning of parenthood right out of my heart and put it on paper... and the illustrations are magical, too.

I think we'll be buying another copy of this one for Oliver.

Owen's Birth Story...Birth Novel...whatever.

2011-10-15T11:27:00.000-04:00

Just over a week ago my Little Stinker was born. He is perfect. He is beautiful. He is yummy. Just scrumptious. But man, oh man! He did not make things easy for me!
With Owen, my contractions started on a Saturday morning, and just like my experience with Oliver, they disappeared when I got out of bed. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! I was really thinking that wouldn't happen to me again. And this time it went on even longer! It wasn't until Thursday morning that we went to the hospital. And I rolled out of bed and into some clothes, hair a mess, no makeup, no pictures... from the start Owen was getting different treatment than Oliver. I was sent home, even though I was insisting that even the first time around my contractions got no closer, I had needed pitocin, and the contractions were extremely painful (gee...sorry I can handle them well I guess).

When we got home I figured I'd take a nap before breaking out the breast pump to get things moving. As soon as I lay down I felt a contraction that made me cry out, bang on the headboard, then jump because I felt a strange pop...I had a feeling of what had happened, but when the contraction was over I dozed 10 minutes until the next extremely painful one. By my third contraction I got up to use the bathroom and...SURPRISE my water was broken! Back to the hospital we go, where they gave me a room right away.

I told them I had an epidural last time and would want one again (and I considered going natural this time...ha!). The nurse told me to stand in the shower with Nate holding the water to my back to move the baby...for an hour! Then she'd come do my IV started so I could get one bag of fluid down and then I could get the epidural. After 20 minutes I was about to send Nate to tell my mom to get that damn nurse in immediately with the IV...but my momma is on the ball and had done so on her own.

My contractions were getting closer and really intense. I was so ashamed of myself for crying out during them. I had been looking forward to my labor and delivery thinking everything would go as smoothly and wonderfully as Oliver's had. I was so relaxed when I had Oliver, pushed only 25 minutes and my epidural had been absolutely magical. Not the case this time!

Since being admitted I had not been checked to see if there had been any change in my cervix. The last time I had been checked was when they sent me home 3 hours earlier and I was about 3cm and almost fully effaced. Well I was feeling pressure that had me thinking I was close to pushing so the nurse finally called in the midwife to check me. I was at 7cm. And then she asked where the water was...like I faked it breaking just to get the room. "Oh there it is, must be a leak." She seemed so disinterested. And I had thought that I liked this midwife. I saw her for the first prenatal appointments for each boy... after that I saw other doctors and midwives as the scheduling of my appointments happened to play out. I had even seen an episode of a Baby Story where this midwife delivered and I was impressed by how things went. I was so upset with her but too exhausted to let that register. My mom, however, made it clear.

I delivered at Yale-New Haven Hospital. I love that place... for the most part. I know that if anything were to happen to my or the baby, we would be at the right hospital. It's a teaching hospital, and I have no problem with that, I will always allow for my care to be a teaching opportunity... but I expect that to be explained to me. When the anesthesiologists finally came in, one took the lead and another seemed very quiet, so I figured that's what was going on. Then another came in and spoke over the one that had initially seemed in charge. Ok so she's learning too. But nothing was said to me. In the past there's always been an introduction and a question if it's ok. Not this time. Well they failed to help me out.

I could see Nate getting more and more concerned and angry from the chair they stuck him in during this sterile procedure. My mom had to leave the room and was panicking seeing more and more doctors enter. Then Nate had told her to come back in when the epidural was in... but as soon as she was in the door he had to tell her to leave again because they had to re-do it.

Someone else finally came in and announced it's very few people that don't feel any change, and I could tell he was proving his skill to the others who had failed. So he re-did the epidural and doubled it up with a spinal block.

All of a sudden I was having contractions that were pushing me up off the bed while I was sitting up to get the pain meds. When I lied down I couldn't stop pushing and felt huge gushes of water coming out. I was panicking "I'm pushing...I can't stop...I need him out now!" because I had been told not to and seriously had no control over it. So the nurse calls the midwife back in, and from what Nate reports she rolled her eyes at me saying "She THINKS she has to push". Bitch. "I'd be surprised" says the midwife. Well guess what... I KNOW that I AM pushing and that I can't stop no matter how I try to relax my now completely numb body.

I was at 9cm and was allowed to push. "If she wants to push, I'll let her try". Ugh, again...bitch! And now thanks to that lovely spinal pushing was incredibly difficult. I couldn't feel anything other than the pressure letting me know I was having a contraction. I had the hardest time finding my muscles and using them to effectively push. I had basically gone natural through the entire labor and finally got relief...but it made things harder. Well at least it didn't hurt... I even dozed between pushes. An hour later... Owen made his entrance. Sunny side up. Because that made things easier for me!

Happy Birthday to you Little Stinker

2011-10-06T21:39:00.001-04:00

Just a quick birth announcement...

Owen Maxwell
October 6 2011 2:49PM
7lb14oz and 20 in

Definitely not the same experience as Oliver's birth. Will post the gory details later!

He's so Perfect!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Mother Duck said "quack quack quack"....

2011-10-03T11:10:00.002-04:00

... But only one little duck came back.

Yeah, still just one baby duck here. The other one just doesn't want to hatch! This is me on our way out the door to do the labor waddle at the mall.

Don't I look oh so rested and happy? Because I'm exhausted! And upset at being wrong about my body! I really was not expecting the dissappearing contractions this time around. Well at least I was right about him being about a week ahead of his brother's schedule.

So this makes morning #3 of contractions. Hard, uncomfortable, zone-out and occasionally whimper contractions. As soon as I get up to pee or get myself more comfortable they dissappear. So upsetting! So I try to stay flat in bedw with a full bladder as long as possible, but really- that's not the right thing to do and the last thing I need is an even weaker bladder (Oliver did enough damage there)!

Nate stayed home to deal with Oliver this morning which is lovely. I got to stay in bed and rest a bit. My head hurts, my lips feel swollen, and my socks left a deep impression on my ankles yesterday so we'll see what happens today. 39 weeks tomorrow, I say by Wednesday he's out... But let's face it- I don't know jack!

Here's hoping a few laps around the mall get things moving again. Really, I don't get how my contractions go away when I get up and active. Anyone who's been there knows this defies everything you read about going for walks and moving around to get labor going.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Happy Birthday Nana

2011-10-02T10:46:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Nana's birthday. It was not Owen's birthday. Tricky kid.

I didn't expect another 3 days of contractions like I had with Oliver... but it looks like that's the direction we are going in. So far we are on two consecutive early, sleepless mornings of intense contractions lasting 1.5+min and getting as close as 8 min apart that dissappear the moment I get out of bed. Isn't moving around supposed to HELP contractions? Well if it's going to be like Oliver, Owen should be here by Wednesday. I was really hoping to just go into labor and not have this on and off thing again. Bummer.

It would have been so convenient to go into labor yesterday with my mom dad and sister visiting so we could spend mom's birthday together. Kids can never be convenient can they? I've been at this "mom" thing less than 2 years and I already know nothing is easy!

Cake was yummy. For realz.

"Memmy Memmy"

2011-09-30T13:52:00.000-04:00

Nesting is pretty much in full swing. You know, now that I can pretty much have this baby any second and there is still loads that can be done! Yeah, so I figure it's time to get busy. Well, stay busy.

I am still head over heals in love with the nursery set we chose for Oliver- Alphbet Soup by CoCaLo. But when we picked it for Oliver it was already making its way to all the clearance shelves as a discontinued theme. We snatched up as much as we could whenever/wherever we saw pieces of it. And now that it is impossble to find... I want to buy more of it. Thank God for the internet!

I ordered the valences and hamper that I've wanted since January 2010, and we made the decision to go with the wallpaper border since the chairail we were planning on putting up in the nursery is not going to happen any time soon...I think my MiL is the most bothered by this- since the day we moved in and I mentioned a chairail she has wanted to get it up! Well after tons of searching I was able to find the border on ebay, confirm with Nate that we should order it, then I closed the laptop to go eat dinner...and forgot to go back and order it! Now it is NOWHERE to be found. So bummed.

Last night Daddy hung up the curtain rod for the valences.

Of course... Oliver needed to get in on the action. He even brought his own tools. He is a regular "Memmy Memmy" (which happens to be Oliver speak for "Handy Manny"...oh yeah, he can say that but he still calls me, his MOMMY, "Ba". I would so be cool with being called Memmy, but no, I am Ba).

Here he is using Felipe to help daddy tighten screws.

Obviously a hammer, measuring tape and plyers are needed for this job...of straightening out the already hung valence.

Since the boys are sharing the room and I still love the set so much we are splitting it up between the two cribs (well, soon to be two cribs...we finally picked one for Owen now need to order it).

Oliver will have the printed dustruffle, a plain sheet, and the printed comforter... there is also a blanket he can have for now since the baby won't be using those for a while. Owen will get a solid dustruffle, printed sheet and the crib bumper. Yes I will use a bumper...call CPS if you must, but I believe (unlike the city of Chicago apparently) that it is up to the parent whether or not they want to use it, AND to use it responsibly. Don't get me started on recalls that are really just a matter of negligent parenting! Umm... tub seats and video monitors anyone? Those issues were whose fault, really?

ANYWAY... with the crib set split between the two boys, I am loving how the window valences, lamp and hamper tie the theme together as a shared space for both of them. I am considering getting the rug, but not sure if I want to spend $35 on that tiny little thing. And now to figure out the border issue.

If anyone comes across any Alphabet Soup items, let me know!

Baby Shower

2011-09-27T15:04:00.000-04:00

It's been over a week since I promised a post about my baby shower. Sorry. Between exhaustion, laundry, baby "necessity" sorting and assembling...not to mention this preview of terrible twos Oliver is showing off... I haven't had the energy to blog.

So about the baby shower...

My mother planned it as a surprise. They had me going, too. They were playing it off as a family and friends preview type party for a bar and lounge my dad is opening. My mom insisted Nate make sure he gets that weekend off because it's very important to my dad that we be there. We bought that story without thinking about it much.

Then, the day Hurricane Irene hit NJ, NY and CT my mom insisted I call my grandfather (dad's dad) who lives in Manhattan and hadn't evacuated. It seemed a little strange that my mom was telling me to call and check in on him and not my dad, but I did what she asked. And after chatting a few minutes he apologized that he couldn't see us, wasn't sure when he'd be able to see us, not able to make it to the baby shower on the 17th. It sounded a little something like this:

"You have the baby shower on, what, the 17th?"

"...I...don't know....."

"Yeah. You don't know? Ooooh. You don't know.... well, you didn't talk to me."

So Nate and I had fun for a while acting like we had no idea what was going on and listening to my family discuss the cover story. Of course it DID happen to be Nate's work weekend that he had to switch so we had my mom sweat it out a little that we might not be able to make it. I had also been really uncomfortable and having some painful B-H Contractions so I was having fun telling my mom I couldn't make it down to NJ.

So maybe it was a little evil of us to lead them on like that, thinking they had us surprised...but we did feel bad about it. We considered not telling them we knew, but right away someone asked if I was surprised and my response was "uuuuuuh" and I let them know about the little birdie named Grandpa.

Freshly Picked

2011-09-26T12:48:00.000-04:00

Oliver decided not to nap. The sun came out. Daddy was home. We decided to be brave and take the trip to Lyman. Brave because lately the kid has been a little friggin' monster! He has learned the art of tantrums just in time to be a big brother. Yay.

Who knew apple picking would be such a success? When I took him blueberry picking with friends he ended up doing pretty well but I figured tree picking wouldn't go over as well. Wrong mommy. He loved it. The trees were low enough for him to reach the bottom apples and daddy's shoulders were high enough for the mid-tree ones. The second he was out of his car seat he was running over to some trees. We convinced him to come with us to get a bag and over to some different apples. Nate showed him one to pick and as soon as he did he plopped it right into the bag, like he knew what to do, demanding "mas" ("more"). Each apple he picked he wanted "mas". Super cute.

I was excited for pumpkins. Last year he was impressed with the pumpkins, so I was eager to see his reaction now. Not as good as the apples. The field wasn't as full with pumpkins as last time and he was tiring out. But he did pretty well. And looked super cute.

Once we got down to the market store the display of pumpkins, gourds and squashes was more visually impressive for him I think. He picked a mini pumpkin for himself, and one for his baby, Owen.

My father-in-law recently purchased a new DSLR camera for himself and let me have his old one. It has lots and lots of miles on it, but I am very happy to have it. I wanted to try it out with this trip to the orchards, and I got some good shots, but I am glad I brought my smaller camera (which is amazing) and glad to have some basic editing software. Got some good pictures of Oliver, but the button stuck and stopped working (the reason it was replaced), and being unfamiliar with the camera, I didn't get pictures as clear as I would like. Still satisfied with our trip and fulfilling my photo-snapping mother needs.

UniverSoul Circus

2011-09-23T20:14:00.000-04:00

I got an email earlier this week about an event coming to the New Haven area. First of all, how excited am I to be contacted for coverage on my blog?! Answer: pretty excited. Second of all, how awesome does this look?! Answer: PRETTY AWESOME! So I am happy to take a moment to present to you the Universoul Circus, coming to New Haven Oct 21-23.

HEADING TO NEW HAVEN OCT. 21-23

UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS TRANSFORMS THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA WITH A SHOW THAT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD!

The awe-inspiring UniverSoul Circus is heading to New Haven, bringing most electrifying and interactive single ring extravaganza to the vacant lot off Route 34 near Career High School between Sherman& Ella Grasso, Oct. 21-23. Tickets will be on sale soon.

There’s no doubt about it – the 243 year history of the modern circus has finally been reborn in the form of UniverSoul Circus, nationally recognized for its unique brand of high energy audience interaction and thrilling circus artistry. Whether you’re dancing in the aisles with the Ringmaster; rapping to The Sugarhill Gang; volunteering for the“UniverSoul Circus Soul Train Line;” singing 2,200-part harmony with the kids to Sponge Bob Square Pants, or enjoying a musical finale with the entire cast line-dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” – there’s something for everyone to interact with at UniverSoul Circus, recently proclaimed by a youthful online fan as “The AwesomestShow Ever.”

WHEN: Oct. 21-23

WHERE: New Haven

In the vacant lot at Route 34 near Career High School between Sherman Pkwy and Ella Grasso

TICKETS: Tickets prices $12 to $28.50. Children under 1 are FREE

All tickets available by Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and

1-800-745-3000.

SHOWTIMES:

Opening day, Friday, Oct. 21 @ 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 22 @ 12 noon, 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 23 @ 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Visit www.universoulcircus.comfor more info, show times, and schedules. Also follow us on www.facebook.com/universoulcircus and www.twitter.com/universoulcirc

UniverSoul Circus is on a mission to be the most liked circus in the world by acquiring 1 million “Likes” on Facebook by December 2011, the end of its 2011 tour season. It’s as simple as going to www.facebook.com/universoulcircusand pressing the “Like” button. You’re going to love our show, but you can “Like” us now on Facebook.

The UniverSoul Circus line up for 2011 will flat out blow you away. New acts include the beautiful and enchanting Rahel of Ethiopia will twist and turn her way into our hearts with a cutting edge presentation of contortion we like to call Pretty Girl Rocks. If that’s not enough we traveled all the way to Dalian, China to unearth Modern Biker Girls, a group of amazing young ladies who will put any extreme biker to shame with their amazing two-wheel, non-motorized, dexterity. And we’ve brought new meaning to the Russian Swing Act, armed with an acrobatic attitude and a whole lotta rhythm as they swing themselves into the upper echelons of our big top.

“We are a circus with a rhythm and beat all our own,” said UniverSoul Circus Founder and CEO Cedric Walker.“We will always produce a show filled with soul and hip hop music, and we will always feature only the most dynamic performers from around the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re an urbanite or a suburbanite, old school or new school, generation X or Y, pre-school, high school or grad school– I strongly believe everyone will find something to enjoy at our show.”

And the rest of our amazing cast of UniverSoul Circusperformers include, a daredevil motorcycle globe act, trickster dogs, high wire, tigers, Caribbean and stilt dancers, and elephants.

The Cast:

Act Type – Act Name – Hometown

Prelude/Opening – The Transformers – United States, Trinidad & Tobago
Bicycle Girls – Modern Biker Girls Troupe – Dalian, China
Russian Swing – Russian Swing – Belarus
Contortionist – Rahel – Pretty Girl Rocks – Ethiopia
Aerial Straps – Jean Claude – France
Ringmaster – Tony Tone – Memphis, TN
Ringmaster’s Sidekick – Zeke (Zanda Charles) – Hartford, CT
Caribbean Dancers – Caribbean Heat – Trinidad and Tobago
Trick Dogs – Olate Dogs – Chile
High wire – Gabonese High Wire – Gabon, Africa
Tigers – John Jairo presents Tigers – Ecuador
Stilt Dancers – Stilts – Trinidad &Tobago
Motorcycle Daredevils – The Globe – Colombia
Elephants – Soul Circus Divas – USA

Audience participation under the big top and overwhelmingly positive fan feedback on online communities such as Facebook, Twitter and Ticketmaster have established UniverSoul Circus as the most entertaining and inspiring, interactive circus in the world. The following is a small sampling of audience feedback received in 2011 from Ticketmaster.com.

“This show was truly amazing. The acts were exciting, unbelievable, breathtaking
and awesome. The ringmaster is the greatest announcer ever!!! There is no other circus in the world that can compare to the UniverSoul Circus.”

Baltimore, MD

“The stunts, music and show were all great! I loved the variety of nationalities performing and the level of talent was top notch.”

Norfolk, VA

“My children and I danced and laughed like never before. Audience participation was at an all time high.”

Queens, NY

“The event was well worth its weight in gold.”

Bronx, NY

“This was my first time attending this circus and it was amazing. I would recommend this show to anyone.”

Raleigh, NC

“It was one of the best times we've ever had. The circus had something for everyone, from toddlers to big kids like me (I'm 41).”

Richmond, VA

“The circus was great. My little girl loved it. It's a great place to take your family.”

Atlanta, GA

“Good, clean, wholesome fun. Fantastic circus! Can hardly wait for it to come back next year!”

Miami, FL

About UniverSoul Circus

UniverSoul is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top three circuses in America along with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey and Cirque du Soleil. UniverSoul’s fresh approach to family friendly live entertainment has earned it a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster’s top ten most requested family events, along with other shows including Sesame Street Live, Disney on Ice, and Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The circus was founded in Atlanta by concert and theatre promoter, Cedric Walker. Now in its 18th year, the circus will perform over 500 shows in 32 major markets.

I really should be sleeping...

2011-09-18T03:30:00.001-04:00

The time is currently 2:55AM and I can't sleep. Not fun. I think I have a case of travel insomnia being at my moms and sleeping in the same room as Oliver. Something about having to be quiet that makes your body restless. And it could be the chicken and pasta I ate at like 11 before going to bed. Who eats that late?! Oh yeah, me- the pregnant whale who's always hungry! Worrying about the cold my whole little family seems to be coming down with doesn't help either. Oliver started coughing a few days ago and today Natey-poo and I both feel a little something starting in our throats, too. Yay. Not.

Whatever the cause, the moral of the story is the same. I can't sleep. I just realized that at this moment my sister is probably dancing at a club dressed like a hoochie (a classy one) with Ronnie of Jersey Shore. Well, not "probably"... That's what she's doing. What a different life we lead!

Today was my surprise baby shower for Owen. As in "Surprise!!! I knew about it!" (My grandfather had spilled the beans weeks ago). I felt bad- they tried so hard- and I wasn't going to tell them I knew, but the could tell. Guess my "act surprised" skills need work. I'll throw a Baby Shower post up with pictures and a gift list in a couple days. Right now is random-thoughts on my blackberry time.

So apparently my feet are swollen. I had no idea. They look and feel the same to me. But my grandma loves to point out how big and pregnant I am, and not only that- but biggER and pregnantER than last time. Yay! Self esteem boost anyone? Not to mention nate laughed at my poor over-stretched belly button a few nights ago. When Nate comments on my pregnant state I can hear the love and pride behind his voice, so it doesn't bother when he chuckles and says "whoah you're huge!"

Ok my random 3am thoughts have now shifted to Oliver- God! I love that little boy! He is so stinking beautiful. Such a perfect little gift from heaven! There are moments during the day where I catch myself thinking "I hope I don't forget to steal these brief moments of hugs/cuddles/tickles/kisses/goofballing with him once Owen is born." I am already making myself promise that I will remember to stay Oliver's mommy too. I think we all wonder as we wait for the second how we can split ourselves for both children, but I think most moms worry they won't have as much love for the second as the first one. My fear has been whether I will stay as obsessed with Oliver as I have been for the past 19+ months, and not become too wrapped up in newborn love. I'm not exactly sure how to explain it- but that's the best I can do at 3am.
Well I think I will try to silently sneak back into bed (the king size bed we get to use at my moms which Nate decided not to share well tonight...wtf!? Get on your side... Alllllll the way over there!). Thanks for being there blogger.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

It's all in the bag!

2011-09-16T16:35:00.000-04:00

Little Owen Maxwell is almost here. He can come any time he wants now and we will welcome him. Another week or two is all I ask to finish getting ready. But momma's not sure she can hold out almost 4 weeks until the due date. It sounds wimpy now, actually and I guess it's not too bad...but I want my baby!

Well whenever he comes we need to be ready, and that means.... packing for the hospital!

Today we received an unexpected package from my brother and sister in law. It really was perfect timing because along with several other very practical gift items (practicality is very much appreciated the second time around) was the most amazing diaper bag. This thing is intense! I'm so excited to organize it! It's going to get packed up for the hospital and after that there should be a pocket for just about everything two boys could possibly need.

For any first time moms wondering how to pack for the hospital my advice is to consider what you would use at home. You're most likely to be in the hospital only 2-3 days. In that short time do you need this particular item. For example, with Oliver we brought our laptop with us. We did use it but I think it will stay home this time. As much time as I spend on my laptop I think I can survive two days. If you choose not to bring something and find yourself wanting it you can always have someone bring it to you, since chances are you will have lots of people in and out to visit.

Pack light. You won't be in the same room the entire time. The book I read to prepare for Oliver recommended a smaller bag for labor and delivery, and sending for a second bag once you're moved to your own room. We did decide not to carry Nate's stuff with us while we were in L&D and recovery, but I don't know if a separate bag is necessary even for mom. I had a small duffel bag that made the entire trip with me. Then there was Nate's bag and the baby bag. This time it looks like baby and I will share a bag and Nate will have his small bag.

I didn't need a single thing out of my bag in L&D. I had packed a book but it never left the bag, (I do think I will bring my nook this time anyway. I was so wrapped up in what was going on- staying calm, trying to rest, and..o yeah! laboring!... that I never opened that bag. Hardly even watched TV.

As conscious as I am attempting to be NOT to over pack...it's what I do, I'm sure I'm bringing more than I'll need for the baby in 2 days.

*not quite everything is in here yet...but that's most of it.

Here's what's in my bag this time:
*Two nursing bras (one comfy one with no support so I don't now why even bother with it, and one that's more bra-like to wear to move around and come home)
*Big momma panties (it's all about comfy, not so much fashion! you want something you won't mind being ruined too)
*Burp cloths (but now that I think about it these probably aren't necessary because baby will most likely be on a colostrum diet and have very little milk to dribble or spit)
*Two nursing gowns (this time I just got two cheap nightgowns from Sears that have buttons instead of the maternity nursing gowns that are more expensive and didn't survive long last time anyway)
*Coming home outfits for mom and baby (remember socks and a hat for baby, and for mom I recommend yoga pants and a nice shirt for pictures- any dressier than that is your own choice, comfort is my #1 priority)
*Baby clothes and socks (really a coming home outfit is all that's necessary but you may want to dress your little one in something other than the too-big hospital onesie)
*Boppy pillow (brought a body pillow instead for Oliver, a regular pillow works just as well to prop up your arm and the baby while nursing so this isn't completely necessary either but the boppys are good to prop baby up for pictures)
*Blanket (I'm not bothering with a swaddling blanket because you will have hospital ones to use, but a heavier fleece lined blanket is nice to have to help baby regulate his body temperature and stay warm on the trip home)
*Camera & camcorder (remember extra batteries and/or charger unless you plan on having everything freshly juiced ahead of time...I'd probably still pack extra because all the pictures you'll take may drain it faster than normal)
*Nook (already mentioned how this probably is one of those things I won't need, but I'd like to have it with me anyway)
*Toiletries and make-up (you don't need your full arsenal, but keep in mind there will be lots of cameras and lots of pictures and you will want to like them...so look nice or at least nice-ish)
*Cell phones and chargers

Other things to consider:
*Extra pillows or blankets for hubby (he won't get the best sleep in the hospital so if he's picky to begin with these might be worth bringing in once you're settled down)
*Extra bags for gifts/ stuff you'll take from the hospital (the nurses will most likely give you plastic drawstring bags if you really need it, plus you can send things home slowly with visitors).
*Snacks/cash (the hospital I was in had really yummy food, but you will most likely be up and hungry before breakfast service starts...Nate doesn't think it is totally necessary to pack stuff because there is a dunkin donuts, a subway, and a walgreens just outside our hospital... ok by me!)
*A bathing suit for dad if you plan on a water birth or standing in the shower while laboring.

Things you'll take from the hospital: (pretty much whatever you can!)
*As many diapers and wipes as they'll bring you
*Formula samples
*Aspirator
*Some sexy gauze underwear (you probaly won't need them by the time your home but take them just in case...I still have like 8 pairs from when I came home with Oliver)
*Nipple cream
*Gauze pads and petroleum jelly (for circumcized boys)
*Squirt bottle (it's for cleansing yourself "down there" and is pretty soothing when you're swollen and afraid of even wiping believe me! plus it's great later to use on laundry to almost to powerwash baby's poo leaks off the onesies)
*Swaddling blanket (you probably have cute ones at home, but for sentimental reasons you will want at least one of the hospital ones to come home with you)

Addiction

2011-09-14T16:05:00.000-04:00

Warning- the following images depict my son's disturbing addiction. Not recommended for the squeamish.

What started innocently enough, as in "mmmmm", has become a borderline dangerous obsession, as in "THAT THAT THAT THAT MMMMMMMMMM MAS! THAT! AHHHH".

My baby...has a problem....with watermelon.

He has also been known to get substitute fixes with grapes, banana, blueberries, and craisins. Acidic fruit poop and resulting diaper rash be damned. The child must have his fruit!

Tuesday Tummy Time!

2011-09-13T17:01:00.000-04:00

36weeks down! 28 days till baby's due date!

I honestly don't know how this kid is going to stay up in there 4 more weeks BUT you just never know with these buggers do ya?

Now let's all pretend we have X-Ray vision and can take a peek at little Baby Owen:

Courtesy of BabyCenter.com

"Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly."

I don't think there's any need for that manipulation BabyCenter is talking about. This kid is riding loooooow and good to go. Seriously. There is so much weight on my pubic bone I feel bruised most of the time and have had to break out the ice pack. Sorry...TMI? There's no such thing with pregnancy!

My BH contractions are getting PAINFUL! and low and I've even had back contractions when I switch positions at night. Not fun. Scary....yet exciting. After next week it will be mostly exciting knowing that at 37 weeks Owen will be considered full term and any labor would hopefuly not be stopped at that point. With Oliver at home and family out of state I can't play around with the whole going-to-the-hospital/going-back-home thing.

Feeling the way I've been feeling I really see this kid coming a week early at least, but I'm pretty sure almost every pregnant woman has had the same thought and been wrong. I have an appointment tomorrow (the lovely strepB swab) so hopefully we'll learn what's going on down there in Babylandia.

In the meantime- we are working on planning for what will go down at go time, making out instructions for Oliver's care, and packing the hospital bag! It's time to get serious with this baby prep!

Bringing Home Baby

2011-09-12T09:07:00.000-04:00

Not even two years ago we were leaving the hospital with the most precious souvenire ever... our baby boy Oliver. I can't believe the big monkey next to me with scraped knees was once this little bundle.

It was kind of sad leaving the hospital. It was like we had been in our own little bubble, our own private world. Nate had stayed the whole time with me and the baby was in our room the whole time too, only being taken out when they weighed him and checked stats each night. Leaving the hospital was like going back out into the real world were we had to take care of ourselves and protect this precious baby from everything out there. (Not to mention I was going to miss the room service!)

Getting close to Baby Owen's due date has us thinking about how things went the first time as we make plans for the hospital and coming home. Nate mentioned getting Owen's coming home outfit and I had him get Oliver's out of the basement where it was put away with other outgrown clothes. I had always figured each kid would get his own, but for some reason I automatically answered Nate that I had to wash Oliver's for Owen. Which led to last nights yo-yo decision: Reuse? Get a new one? We see positives in both. Very close friends of ours used the same outfit for all three of their kids. But there's was neutral so having a girl after two boys wasn't a problem for them reusing it. In our case, if the next baby (YEARS down the road!!!) were to be a girl, there is no way we would bring her home in a blue outfit, so is it fair that she would get her own? And wouldn't it be nice to one day give each kid their outfit to use or not use as they build there own families? But the emotional impact of seeing both of our boys in the same beautiful outfit calls to me too. Plus, it took forever to find this outfit that we liked for Oliver to come home in.

One more thing- we got this outfit at a consignment store. Does the fact that a stranger-baby wore it once make it less special? Sometimes I feel like I can't really say "This is Oliver's special outfit," because they are second-hand (even though I don't know whose hand came first).

I think we've made our decision, but what's your opinion on the matter?

Happy Birthday to My Old Man

2011-09-08T09:02:00.001-04:00

I tease my husband that he's old. He falls asleep on the couch and being awake past 10:30 is difficult. Not to mention the noises that come with sitting down and getting up. Truth is...I'm exactly the same way! Sad right? We are two peas in a pod...soul mates...made for each other. And I would like to take a minute to wish my Baby Daddy Natey Poo a very Happy 26th! (side note- Choo Choo Soul just played on Disney Jr. and I just realized as it was ending it was a birthday song...cute, Oliver will have to dance to it for Nate later.)

Nate is so amazing I want to make his day special...but with my SAHM budget and achy pregnant body I'm already off to a bad start. I couldn't even pull myself out of bed to make him breakfast, good thing he loves cereal. It may take me all day, but I WILL make him dinner tonight! I WILL I WILL I WILL!!!! Even though I just want to lie down with pillows propped under various body parts and read. Dinner tonight will be Aji de Gallina... when I was pregnant with Oliver for whatever reason I wanted spicy Peruvian food and learned how to make this. It's a hit with Nate, so...I will make it for him because he deserves it!

The Little Stinker inside my belly doesn't seem to understand that on Daddy's birthday we need to get things done. He is literally weighing me down! Since Tuesday it has been sooooooooo hard for me to move, and his movements are getting really uncomfortable and painful. I thought I'd go early with Oliver, but that was more wishful thinking. I really feel this time there's more of a chance I go early...but what do I know, I may snap out of it in a few days. I'm actually kind of nervous to go early this time. I'm 35 weeks 2 days and I really want to make it to 37 weeks before I say, "OK baby, get out here!" I'm sure I will, but I've been miserable so the thought's crossed my mind. We've still got quite of bit of getting ready to do. Take it easy on me Baby, so I can finish getting ready for you!

BDNP Birthday FlashBack Time!!!!

Puddin' Head

2011-09-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

We are by no means the perfect parents. There's a lot we don't know and a lot we question. But one thing I love about us is how laid back we are. In my opinion one of the most important aspects of parenting is realizing that there are big deals and not so big deals and that sometimes a precious memory can be disguised as a messy one.

Me: "Ummm, so you just handed him the pudding cup?"

BDNP: "Look how happy he is."

Me: "Don't clean him up 'til I get the camera."

I love the way he looks at his daddy. So much admiration in those big beautiful brown eyes. And look at Nate's eyes too...can't you just see the love pouring out of them. This man gets a kick out of his son!

Tuesday Tummy Time!

2011-09-06T07:00:00.003-04:00

Sorry I missed last weeks Belly Update. Not my fault...you can totally blame AT&T for losing service after Irene passed through CT. Instead of backtracking I'm moving right along to this week. This kid makes my stomach move in the funniest most amazing ways! I am definitely starting to feel the weight of baby getting into "go" position.

Here's what it looks like at 35 weeks:

Courtesy of BabyCenter.com

"Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight."

I got dressed pretty decently to go out for breakfast so I had my mom take advantage of the opportunity to take pictures.

I think this is my favorite one.

Oliver wasn't in a picture taking mood I guess.

O well.

Freezer Meals

2011-09-05T19:19:00.002-04:00

It's a lot of work to bring myself to make dinner on any given day. I hate to cook. So I'm thinking when Owen is born, my family might just starve. That would be a bad thing, right?

Given my aversion to cooking I should really be doing this mass cooking regularly so I don't have to make my way grudgingly the stove every day. If I could focus my energy into a weekend cooking spree every once in a while I'd be all set.

A google search brought me HERE and I thought I'd share. Here's whay I plan on trying out- they seem so easy, how can I screw this up?
Cranberry Chicken
Cornflake Potato Casserole
Dr. Pepper Spaghetti
Anyone else have any freezer recipes to share? In a few months I'll be looking for baby food recipes so get ready to share those too.

Happy Labor Day

2011-09-05T15:22:00.000-04:00

This is what our holiday weekend looked like.

A trip to the playground where we learned Oliver makes an excellent fitness trainer... he had Nate running laps and suicides while carrying him. Poor BDNP was exhausted but loved running around with his boy.

Operation re-finish the basement and build a family room.

Ice cream break at DQ.

Testing

2011-09-03T09:46:00.001-04:00

I'm not sure if this will even post. I've never done an email post from my blackberry before, but AT&T service is down for my area...thanks Irene! We had TV and internet the whole day sunday during the storm but Monday it cut out. I called and set up a time slot for a tech to come and they never did. I thought maybe I missed them because I ended up going to grab lunch with my mom during a part of the time slot but turns out they never came. Then we were told they're not going to. It has nothing to do with out house/connection/equipment/whatever but its their stuff knocked out by the storm. Well....don't you think a call is in order in that case? "Hi this is AT&T you don't have to sit around waiting for us, we're not coming." Just saying. Also just saying: we better see a credit on our bill for all this time we have to service available to us. I miss my internet so much! And Nate misses TV in the evening. Poor guy. The little things he enjoys. The good part of being cut off- we have been playing games together (totally kicked his bum at Boggle last night!) And I have gotten MAJOR reading done. When I can I will post what I've been reading. I'm seriosuly doing damage to my to-read list before baby #2 arrives in October.

Speaking of- here is a crappy cell pic of the bump at 34weeks 3days.

Someone comment and let me know if this worked :)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Oliver's 18 Month Appointment

2011-08-26T22:37:00.000-04:00

This has been sitting as a draft for a while now....oops...guess I'll finish.

Someone remind me never to schedule Oliver's doctor appointmet during a nap time!

Here he is just 2 exits away...I'm trying sooo hard to keep him awake.

He was all over the place waiting for the doctor. During the exam he was AWFUL! I so wish BDNP was there to help me. It was terrible!

The exam as torture apparently. He's NEVER behaved like that before. He hated getting measured, he hated getting looked at, and he hated being held on the table for a shot (I don't think the shot bothered him so much as the fact that he had to sit still to have it).

Check out the single tear that hung around for a while, it was so heartbreakingly cute just chilling on his cute little face.

Thomas the Train sticker made things much better. He has a new obsession with trains that we didn't even mention to the nurse so when she gave him this his reaction was too cute.

They didn't tell me what percentile he is in but I'm assuming he is still 75th-90th like the last few times. I was told that at 33 3/4" he is the height of a 22 month old. He weighed in at 29 lbs. I was actually surprised that he hadn't hit/passed 30lbs, but I have noticed that while he is still my chunky boy he has definitely slimmed down and shot up.

The biggest concern I had going into the appointment was hearing whether or not my boy is on track with his verbal skills. I really have had the opinion that he should be speaking a lot and doing so clearly by now. I've been worrying about this for a while even though at 15months I was told by he pediatrician he is on target. In my opinion there wasn't as much progress as there should have been. But the pediatrician was again happy with where he is and not concerned. If at 2 years he hasn't made more progress we'll consider some speach therapy I guess. I was thinking he'd need to start that now so that's good news. And in the week leading up the appointment and the week following I have definitely noticed his babbling has become more conversational and he is repeating more. So yeah, this mommy is breathing a little easier. Not that I was overly concerned, just a little bothered...the kid is not shy around other people, definitely has no hearing problems and is very good at following directions and learning routines. In short- my boy is a quiet genius!

Tuesday Tummy Time!

2011-08-24T10:05:00.001-04:00

I am completely aware today is Wednesday. I would just like to pretend that Tuesday never happened. It was painful and miserable and much longer than the usual 24 hours. And I'm pretty sure it has to do with the Little Stinker who has been living inside my belly for the past 33 weeks... his brother the Monkey doesn't help.

Here's our peek inside at 33 Weeks-

Courtesy of BabyCenter.com

"This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood."

Sunday was my sister in law's baby shower. I'm going to go ahead and lay some blame there for my general soreness and tightness (squatting to tape table cloths to picnic tables, wearing wedge sandals as opposed to my usual flats, and being cramped in the car for the 3 hour drive home).

I spent the whole weekend catching up with family we haven't seen and answering quetions about my pregnancy: "I feel great," "I love being pregnant," "Oh, it's been such an easy pregnancy." And then came the tractor trailor I call 33 weeks to knock me down and drag me down the highway I call pregnancy.

How can so much have changed sooo quickly? I've had days where I'm sore and not so comfortable but Tuesday beat me down! By the time I was getting in bed Monday night I felt like I was recovering from a tummy tuck or something. You know that bruised feeling you have in your muscle after getting a charlie horse? Well that was what I felt like from my ribs down to my knees. Waking up Tuesday morning I felt ok but was tired and achy about as soon as I got out of bed. Oddly enough, the best I felt all day was when Oliver and I decided we would take a walk to the library a mile away from the house. I felt great on the walk but it probably didn't help the swollen feeling I felt throughout my entire lower half last night.

So far today I'm feeling ok. BDNP is going to try to come home early today so I don't push myself. I have floors to wash, bathroom to clean, general organization to take care of, food shopping, and crafting to do today. Or BFFs are coming over later this afternoon for play and dinner, and us moms will get our DIY on once all the kiddos are whisked away to sleep. Very much looking forward to it.

Here's a shot from Sunday-

3 Baby Y's on the way! (and 3 Hot MILFS!)

From left to right: Baby BCY due 10/4, Baby AMY due 10/26, and our own Baby OMY due 10/11