What The Schmidt!

1 Week (Yesterday)

2013-05-13T07:10:00.000-06:00

Piper is one week as of yesterday. One thing I've learned is that I no longer have control over my day. I now am at the beck and call of little lady, between feedings, changing, usually a clothing change or two and if I try to do anything for myself it's time to start it all over again.

But it's all worth it. Piper is so amazing, cute and so sweet, it's like a love I never have known. Even through the breakdowns in the middle of the night I wouldn't change it for a second.

40 Weeks and we have a baby girl!

2013-05-08T17:19:00.002-06:00

Well, I didn't need to do my 40 week belly bump photo. Saturday night I went into labor and Sunday afternoon beautiful little Piper Jean Schmidt was born. B and I are so thrilled and absolutely the happiest and proud parents you could even imagine. I don't think 10 minutes pass where one or the other of us says "oh my God I don't think I could love her more."

Piper Jean Schmidt 6lbs 14 oz 18 1/2 in long

Piper's Story:

We had a Dr's appointment on Friday, our 39 week appointment. I was 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced. B our Dr and I came up with a game plan, scheduling some appointments and testing and if no Baby by the 15th I would be induced. The Dr scheduled the induction and we scheduled some other tests so we were all set up with a game plan. We both felt so good after that appointment, feeling prepared and ready for baby in a few weeks. I told B I don't know what to do if I actually go into labor, but I guess we figured it out because Saturday night it happened. Luckily I asked B to a "date" on Saturday afternoon, we tried a new restaurant and then had some friends over to grill on Saturday night. It was fun, just hanging out talking, playing with our friends cute little six month old. I started not to feel very good and about 8ish the last of them left and I went up to take a bath. I was cramping and getting stronger Braxton Hicks for a couple weeks so I thought that's all it was. But after the bath I found out I lost my mucus plug, having to send a picture to my sister to make sure that's what it was (sorry, TMI!). She said it was and it was a lot. Of course, because I had a plan in place and thinking it would be a couple weeks, I was nervous but my sister said to just keep track of the contractions and see if they are regular. So I put on "Friends" and laid in bed and started my contraction timer. They were more regular but still anywhere between four minutes to seven and then three and then five so I wasn't sure what to think. They were getting more painful but I just stopped keeping track and tried to relax and rest. B kept saying your in labor, but I just didn't want to go to the hospital feeling unsure if I was in labor and also I was in fear of being sent home if I was. But I kept thinking if this is not labor I don't want to know what is because it was getting painful. I tried to sleep that night, B came into bed as well, but they were getting very painful I couldn't sleep in between it so I told B to go to the other room and sleep so I didn't keep him awake and Izzie and I laid in our bed and kept breathing and trying to relax. At 3:40 a.m. I felt like I had some pressure and something made me jump out of bed which in turn broke my water. I yelled "oh no" thinking I was peeing my pants. B rushed into the bedroom asking what happened and I told him I thought my water broke, which at this point I was calm because I knew it was OK to go to the hospital, but it made B freak out! It was so funny out nervous and scared he became!

We got to the hospital just about 4 a.m. B called our moms and my sister to let them know little "cookie" was on her way. The nurse checked me, made sure I was for sure in labor, and got settled into our room. B and I planned on a natural childbirth so I started laboring in the tub, it helped a little, I was able to relax between contractions and the jets really helped. I got out to try something else as I was in there for a couple hours, the nurse checked and I was at 5 cm. I labored a little longer mostly on the toilet it was comfortable to stretch out my legs and take pressure off my back. It was getting harder and a lot more intense, the nurse wanted to monitor the baby for a while so I had to get back into the bed. B had to hold onto the monitors for me because the sleeve was way to tight to put on or wear during the contractions. At this point I asked the nurse to check me again and I was still at a 5, she tried to say she can stretch me to a 6 but I knew it would still be hours, and I also knew the chance of them giving me pitocin was high since my water broke. B and I talked about the labor part a lot and we said if I was asking for the epidural to tell me encouraging words and try to talk me out of it, but at this point I knew I wanted it and B finally gave in. The nurse was so encouraging either way and was so supportive. Thankfully it was a slow day and the anesthesiologist only had one patient before me so the nurse had time to give me fluids she also gave me another drug to help the pain before the epidural so by the time the anesthesiologist came in I was so out of it between the drugs the nurse gave me and the pain and lack of sleep. He was asking me questions but I apparently just ignored him. After the epidural I was comfortable, happy with my decision and ready to relax before Miss Cookie arrived. For the most part after the epidural it was smooth sailing for a while, the only weird thing was my contractions were giving the front of my legs charlie horses which I couldn't feel the pain but I could feel the tightening and with that on already numb legs it was so uncomfortable. B tried rub them for me but I eventually had to turn up the medicine on the epidural one more time. My Dr. was not available that day so the Dr on call came in and checked me a couple times, the last I was at 9 1/2 cm so he said the nurse would go to lunch and let me progress and then we would start pushing after. This gave me some time to get a little nap in before I started pushing as well, I was exhausted by this point.

The Dr. and nurse explained how to push and how the rest of the delivery would go and informed me that pushing usually takes about an hour and a half. B and the nurse helped me start pushing, holding my legs and counting for me. They were so encouraging, I couldn't feel anything but the top of my uterus so I just pushed towards that, which apparently worked because I had to rest for a few contractions as they had to find the Dr. because little cookie was coming. Only 30 minutes of pushing and out comes little Piper Jean! The Dr and nurses were so surprised by how fast it went, the Dr. was saying I had to have had four kids before because no way would pushing be that easy. So apparently I deliver babies well.

The hospital staff was amazing, teaching B and I so much in the couple days we were there, they did anything they could to make us comfortable, answer questions and they always were supportive with any decision we made.

We're home now, my mom is in town helping with Baby. I'll do an All About Piper update, we are taking lots of pictures right now!

38 weeks and a mini mental breakdown

2013-04-28T13:11:00.000-06:00

Well 10 days to be exact, or I guess whenever little "cookie" is ready to come and meet the world!

I know understand when women say they are done. For the most part I think I had a fairly easy pregnancy. I did get morning sickness, when I actually figured it out it only lasted about a month. I didn't feel great through out that first half but once I got to the ultrasound through the eight month I felt great. I loved working out, yoga, Zumba, I was lifting weights getting ready to pick up baby.

Then the third trimester hit. I remember laying on the couch and I turned to B and said I think I've hit a wall. I was getting such a sore back by the end of the day, I had so much pressure in the lower part of my body. A good friend of mine had me try on a maternity belt during one of our shopping trips and it changed my world...well day actually. It helped a lot for about a week, I still wore it everyday only because when I didn't wear it I could hardly walk. This lasted for about a month. Just this last Friday was the first time I didn't wear it all day because the pressure and pain moved again and is now lower in my hips and legs, which I'm so thankful for. It hurts only to stand now and then once I'm up I'm movin' and groovin'.

Now that my appointments are weekly I have them every Friday afternoon. The first one I was a little effaced, my Dr. guessed about 30%. Last Friday she said about 50%. This last week I was noticing a big change in the Braxton Hicks I was having, they were a little more regular, I was getting cramping and was sure something was happening. So when I had my appointment this Friday and no changes I was taken aback. I mean why would I be having all this cramping all week and nothing happening? I know that it doesn't mean anything and "cookie" is going to come when she is good and ready but in my mind I was hoping something would start a little early so when I go into labor it would hopefully be a little smoother.

Who doesn't wish this right?

I decided a long time ago not to make a full "birth plan" and B and I have just been talking about when I do go into labor where we will meet and what we will do but I didn't want to have a full plan because I know that it will never go as I hope and I need to mentally be OK with that. So even with this little information about no changes when I was "for sure" something was going on it got to me. It took a couple hours really to sink in but I was a little down Friday night about it. I know it sounds silly I mean I have a couple weeks and I'll probably have more than that to be honest but I need to get this out to get through these next weeks! So if anyone has any fun ideas I can do to keep me occupied (nothing strenuous please;) let me know!

Oh and my friend sent me this hilarious link the other day and it made me laugh so I started following her blog. Please check out her post here , now I know what I get to look forward to!

2013-04-20T21:48:00.001-06:00

36 Weeks Baby!

2013-04-15T18:22:00.004-06:00

So actually it's 36 weeks and 5 days, Wednesday marks week 37...Full term. I can't wait. We have done our birth class, tour of the hospital and the feeding class. We have a baby class this week and next week. We are both feeling ready and prepared. The class really helped B and I get on the same page for this labor and delivery so (mentally, anyways) we're ready and now I'm planning on relaxing and taking it day by day.

34 Weeks

2013-04-01T19:38:00.001-06:00

Yay! Getting closer I can't wait to get into this last month and I sure hope these last few weeks go by quick. It's crazy how things change so much week by week. A few weeks ago I was doing zumba and yoga and this week I can barely get up from a sitting position or lift my leg. The joys of pregnancy.

32 Weeks and Getting Poked In The Ribs

2013-03-18T21:44:00.002-06:00

32 weeks, I can't believe it. I feel like time has really gone by fast because I just recently started to actually feel pregnant. Even though I've been bloated and feeling this change since about week seven. People have recently noticed the baby belly, even though I noticed it at week 13. I "felt" movement week 16, after the ultrasound on week 19 I knew what I started to feel was baby. Week 26 I had to get monitored and the nurse pointed out the baby's hiccups, week 29 I finally started to realize what they were.

Now all I want is the time back to enjoy these changes, movements and wish I could have realized even sooner what it all was. I am enjoying knowing the baby is head down, her butt is on one side of my ribs and her feet are nicely tucking and kicking up under my ribs. She is still moving on both sides of my body and keeping me up at night. I really just can't wait to meet her.

Slowly the countdown is coming. I'm trying to prepare as much as possible for what I can but it's so hard to try to prepare for something that I have no idea how it can go. Reading up on this whole process, pregnancy, labor and delivery has helped. But it has also just made me realize that whatever I plan won't happen that way. I have been reading up, trying to keep an open mind and prepare myself to take things as they come.

So instead of reading about labor and delivery I decided I would read a little about what happens after little cookie gets here. Again, it seems as though how much I plan for it probably won't quite be the same. I found out today that cookie is going to be a Taurus, which says she is going to be stubborn. Yep, so I have that to look for. A very "strict to follow the routine" kind of baby which may be a little hard for me since I couldn't wait to get out, go for walks and try to meet up with other friends and get this little girl to learn to "go with the flow". May be a little challenge.

Baby Shower

2013-03-10T13:39:00.001-06:00

Last weekend my mom and sister and baby nephew Rhys came down and visited Ben, Asia, Izzie and me. I was looking forward to that trip for so long and had so much fun with them. They helped me get the nursery organized and kept me from feeling too overwhelmed. Also they threw me a beautiful baby shower.

Thanks so much for everyone who came to celebrate little "cookie" with us! It means so much to me.

30 Weeks

2013-03-04T19:05:00.001-07:00

I'm going to try to be better at "bump"photos for this last trimester. So far so good. I hit a wall right before the last trimester started, first being sick and now getting a little sore and slow moving. Although I can not complain too much I know it can always be worse.

Throughout this whole pregnancy I haven't had any fun cravings like they say happens! I would love to crave some pickles and ice cream, with ketchup or something else. The only thing I ALWAYS want is chocolate. That's not a whole lot different than when I'm not pregnant, I just have a little more self control. Bread, noodles, cereal and soup got me through the first trimester. Veggies are not my favorite since the beginning. Fruits are my favorite. So far I've gained just over 20 lbs and I forget how much weight that is until I'm doing yoga and realize that is why my arms are getting so stinking tired! I've been working out as much as I can without overdoing it. I found a great workout program I started right when I found out I was pregnant so I just did some light weights and then when I hit the second trimester I started yoga again and cardio. I took a couple weeks off a while ago and realized that I feel so much better when I work out. My stiff back doesn't feel as terrible and I get a little burst of energy. I also have started Zumba once a week. It's fun to get moving and doing something new. I'm horrible but it's something different.

Last Trimester

2013-02-16T17:41:00.001-07:00

OK so here's the baby bump...it's been a long time coming. I don't know why it took me so long to post these so I'll do it as a group progression.

We made it to the infamous last trimester! I am so exited, nervous and trying to prepare for what is going to happen in the next few months. I had felt so amazing since the second trimester. After the ultrasounds I just felt so good, I think knowing that the baby was healthy is all I needed. The last couple weeks have gotten a little rough and I have a feeling that it'll only get a little worse, but I'm just going to be positive, hey it can always be worse.

The one thing I am looking forward to is the baby shower my amazing sister is throwing for me and I can't want for her, my youngest nephew and my mom to come and visit! Also I can't wait to see my friends and get them together. I feel like I haven't seen many of my friends for a long time. To be honest, I have turned into a hermit and just want to spend most my time with B before little "cookie" comes. Turning into a needy wife.

OH...we also got this done..

B actually helped me paint this crib. It's a cute Jenny Lind crib we got from a friend of a friend. We (well) I decided to make this the one thing we do for the "nursery". We painted the wood crib this fun color to brighten up the room and for the baby.

New Year, New Beginnings

2013-01-01T08:07:00.002-07:00

See ya 2012! I was thinking yesterday how the even years are always the best, no reason why other than who doesn't love even numbers (and maybe because I was born on an even year). Then I realized that most of my biggest milestones in life are actually on odd years. Graduated high school, 2003. Graduated college, 2007. Started my new job, 2007. Met Ben, 2007. Married 2009. Starting new family, 2013.

Ben and I didn't do anything special last night. Same ol business. Work, workout, dinner and ended the night watching Friends in bed. We did however take time and reflect back on the year. We are so happy with what we had accomplished in 2012, not to mention getting an amazing trip in as well.

We're also both excited about where our lives our going in 2013. A new big milestone is coming and we are having fun preparing, learning more about where this will take us and make the most of the time we have before little "cookie" arrives.

Hope you all had an amazing 2012 and wishing you a blessed 2013.

Leslie

Merry Christmas

2012-12-25T08:19:00.001-07:00

From Our Family To Yours!

Made My Day

2012-12-16T21:48:00.001-07:00

How cute are my nephews. I can't stop giggling.

~The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year~

2012-12-14T07:31:00.002-07:00

This week I finally got into the holiday spirit. We put our tree up, I wrapped a few gifts, we got some packages under our tree and about every day we get a new Christmas card in the mail. We even went downtown and checked out the pretty lights and walked around.

The most wonderful thing that happened this week was being able to see our little daughter. I had my 2nd trimester ultrasound and they say everything is healthy and looks good. I can not wait to meet the little cookie!

What I Love...

2012-11-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

This week has been busy, fast and I'm so thankful it's almost over! Don't you love it when weeks go by fast, I know I do.
I'm also thankful for:
.being able to spend my life with someone who knows my likes, what pisses me off, deals with my insanity and doesn't let me yell at him for no reason...no one deserves that.
.our silly stinky chubby dogs. No matter how pissed I get at them, I can't stand how much I love them both and will never get rid of them, no matter how many times I threaten it.
.chocolate
.a crazy goofy family that is so weird they make me seem like the normal one;) (that's a total lie, mostly likely opposite)
.amazing friends. Nothing can beat a good convo with a great friend.
.my two nephews. They make me laugh and are so cute. They've also taught me to be patient. Not that I am with them (cause they aren't my kids of course) but that I need to 'learn' to be more patient.
.movies.

.I'm extremly thankful, excited, nervous for the baby we're expecting. Even more so now that I am in the second trimester, feeling better, new loose pants and leggings that stretch for this growing belly. I can not wait to meet this child and want nothing more than a healthy happy baby.

Two In a Row

2012-11-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

Posting two days in a row...what can I say I'm maybe back at it? I feel like I've been down this road before though so I know I'm not keeping my hopes up.

But the only reason I wanted to do this quick little tidbit is because I didn't want to miss out on Everybody, Everywear. It's been months and I had to get in this one with it being boots and all. Seriously It is boots weather!

Layer it up is all I'm thinking in the mornings when I'm getting ready and with the snow still melting away and a little bit of ice covering out steps and parking lot I have to say these are my go to boots. Not only are they so comfortable, I love the color and the buckles on the side. Also I'm loving my new denim jean jacket. I found this perfect fitting Guess one at Ross this weekend for a steal! It's going to come in handy this winter as a removable layer during the day.

Leopard, plaid, grey, brown...yeah that's how I roll, sometimes it looks like I dress in the dark!

Hello are you still there?

2012-11-12T10:57:00.001-07:00

So I know I've been basically not even a blogger lately. I feel like I have nothing to talk about but so much at the same time. So right now I'm just trying to keep my two readers happy. I thought I'd Make this "come back" post a quick easy little recipe you can try at home. (Also because Blogger is acting up quite a bit, I don't know if it is because of Blogger or just my computer since I haven't written a post on here in a while!)

Anyways, I found an amazing new blog thanks to a friend I met through work this summer. It is called Iowa Girl Eats. She has amazing food recipes, I find myself pinning most of her recipes whenever she posts. I actually took a break from being a lazy wife and cook and made a new recipe that she had the other day. (Patting myself on the back right now)

Her recipe of course is a little more fancy than what I actually did, but her recipe is easy as pie so I'll attach the link here and you can check out her amazing blog as well.

Skillet Chili Mac & Cheese

If you know me at all you know I was sold with the Mac & Cheese part.

You'll want to link over to her post directly for the full recipe, it looks amazing. I cut a few corners.

What I did:

1 lb Turkey meat

1 can Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes

1 can Tomatoe Paste

1 box Mac & Cheese

1 can Black Beans

The only reason I changed it up a bit is because I don't like onions, I had a carton of beef broth but since I had it for about two years and never used it and was no longer good. Not only that but I didn't want to go to the grocery store to pick up like two items. (I'm lazy)

1. Brown meat, mix in can of diced tomatoes and the tomatoe paste and beans (you can use any beans you want) do not drain the cans.

2. Start your Mac and Cheese box. Make completely, inc the cheese.

3. Mix together and tadaa. You have your self a Midwestern hotdish!

It was so good, and I think it was so full of taste because of the fire roasted diced tomatoes I had. Try this out for a quick easy tasty dinner.

p.s. Just to explain that it actually is good, B actually ate the leftovers, on his own, making that decision by himself. . This coming from a guy who never eats leftovers, unless 1) I make him 2) he's wasting away.

My Favorite Time of Year

2012-10-31T21:19:00.001-06:00

Happy Halloween from the Schmidts!

This Weekend...

2012-09-18T18:29:00.001-06:00

I Can't Hardly Wait to see these beautiful faces again!

This awesome guy's getting married!

and this ~~may~~ will happen

For All My Loves

2012-09-15T09:58:00.001-06:00

High Five Friday

2012-09-14T08:41:00.000-06:00

So it's Friday again. I don't know about you but I'm hoping for an easy day. It's just been one of those weeks. Here's what helped me get through the week.

1. Fun movie night

2. How cute are my nephews

3. Busting out my booties, seasons changing

4. Yummy pinterest treats

5. Dark nails are back

And don't forget to

let us know your weekly favs and link up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk

Update From A Mad Runner

2012-09-10T11:27:00.003-06:00

So I know it's been a while when my avid reader (yes you Heather) texts me about me missing a post. Thanks for keeping me up to date. I've been wanting and planning on writing a new post for a while now, but with my comfortable couch and movies B and I usually end up watching TV together after our workouts. Yeah, actually that's the reason I haven't written a post in a while, I'm too tired AFTER my workouts to do it.

Well, I actually re-joined the gym. Yep I did it. Finally. I have been putting it off for a while now, but what I kept realizing is that I love doing yoga and if that's all I use my $40/month for it's still way cheaper than a yoga studio. Plus I do other classes as well so it's even better. Also B and I can go to the gym together like we did before. I kick his ass in HORSE the other day too, that's always fun.

I haven't been doing much cardio lately as I have this stupid head cold that I can't get rid of. I am hoping if I don't do too much strenuous work it'll help make it go away, but I was walking on the treadmill last night and ran a mile and I felt OK, so maybe that is not the right policy. So maybe I'll do more cardio starting this week.

My one fan also reminded me that I haven't written a Friday post for a while. Yeah I know, I guess it's cause I've noticed I don't have many new pics on my phone and I like to write it when something happens during the week and I have a picture to go with it. I mean who likes to read a blog post with out any pics? This girl doesn't. Anyways, to my reader who will still read this full post even with out any pictures, thanks for the motivation to get this done. And I'm excited to see you next week!

So mature

2012-09-08T18:03:00.001-06:00

Scrolling through my phone pictures I can see why I still feel like I'm 20.

9 years....

2012-08-28T10:18:00.000-06:00

This was nine years ago last week. Nine years ago I moved out of my comfort zone of my small hometown and into the "big city" for my first year of college. Little did I know I would not move back to my small hometown. College was the best experience of my life. I met some of my best friends nine years ago at school. We've been through so much in the past nine years together and grown so much on our own personally and in our careers. We do what we can to keep in touch, be there for each other and support in all of our life changes. I am so thankful for my friends and we'll always have our memories of all the fun and crazy times we've had and continue to have.

Adorable

2012-08-21T08:23:00.001-06:00

How cute is this picture of my nephews. Cameron loves baby Rhys!