Mimsy Were The Borogroves

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T19:43:00.000-05:00

Hats of to you this Christmas!

Love,

AJ, Molly, and Drew

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T19:41:00.000-05:00

Drew in his special turkey onesie.

Happy Thanksgiving! This year we went to Atlanta to celebrate. AJ's family decided to have an extended family reunion over the holiday. It was really fun being able to see the family. A lot of the family I haven't seen since our wedding. There was also a few members of the family I hadn't met. It was great being able to actually put names and faces with the actual people.

We had our Thanksgiving meal in the club house at Uncle Jim's place. It was a great place to hold everyone who came. There were only a few people who couldn't make it. It was sad not having them there, but knowing that so many people came was nice.


Back Row - Dustin, Julie, Uncle Jim, Alex, Uncle Dan, Caden, Aunt Cindy, Aunt Pat, Andy, Sue, Ashley, Uncle Doug, Paul; Middle Row - Shirley, Carmen, Sophie, Savannah, Molly, Drew, Meagan; Front Row - Karen, Alan, and AJ (Missing - Amy, Rebecca, and Jenny's Family)

We had a good meal and lots of fun conversations. There was a lot of catching up and laughing and joking. The kids had a nice place to play outside by the pool (it was already covered and closed up for the season).

The baby cousins - Sophie, Drew, and Savannah

Savannah and Sophie had a blast playing together.

We also got some fun family pictures. We have had some family get togethers, but we always forget to get family pictures, so this was a good chance to get some.

Paul, Ashley, Savannah, Andy, Sue, Drew, Molly, and AJ (missing Amy)

Afterwards, we went to a park to get some fun Fall pictures. Atlanta has leaves that are changing color, something that Orlando is lacking. We tried to get some pictures of Drew and Savannah, but she was more interested in throwing sticks into the lake. Drew is still a captive audience for picture taking, but not for much longer.

Savannah throwing sticks into the water.

Grandma and Drew

We had to leave the park because the sun was starting to set and it was getting cold. I am happy that we got a chance to get some good pictures before we had to leave. It also gave AJ a chance to burn off some energy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, food, and much happiness.

Drew - Month 5

2011-10-31T14:37:00.000-04:00

Dear Drew,

Again, I am late writing you monthly letter because as always, we have had a very busy month. I can't believe how much you have changed this month. You have really turned into a baby instead of an infant. You look so different now and I can see you growing up.

You are rolling from back to front and front to back without problems, though you refuse to do it when you are tired. You have also learned how to scoot yourself around, and I know this means that soon I am in for a truly mobile baby. Luckily, you don't like scooting on the hard floor as you do on the bed, so I am hoping to keep you less mobile until at least next month. You have also started doing this reverse inch worm crawl, it cracks me up. You are very speedy with that method and tend to use it when I am trying to dress you. You have also been using your jumper a lot. You finally got tall enough to reach the floor on the lowest setting. You have really enjoyed it!!!

We have figured out you really like textures this month. You will frequently choose to play with fabric or a soft toy over plastic. You have also started snuggling blankets, which means I need to make you your own "Gott". You have found mine a few times and gotten annoyed when I won't let you chew on it. You love playing in the pillows and sheets in Mommy and Daddy's bed. You have also gotten very good with putting things in your mouth, especially your pacifier. It is very cute to watch you put it in, and then pull it out to look at it, then put it back in.

Checking out the texture of paper.

You have also really turned into a noisy little thing. You have learned how to gasp. The first couple of days of you doing this had me freaked out! Then I figured out you would laugh after doing it so nothing was wrong. Your laughing cracks me up. I love hearing it, and I love watching people make you laugh. It is so sweet and fun sounding. I think you are going to be like me and once you start laughing you are going to crack yourself up. You also have started having these high pitched squeals. I think I am going deaf from them, but they are cute too. You make them when you are really excited and are bouncing up and down.

You have started sleeping unswaddled most of the time. We still have to swaddle you some times when you can't quiet turn yourself off for nap times, but that is ok. You have also started riding in the car more unswaddled. That is a really big step for you. I think you are finally big enough to see some out the window and it entertains you. Your sleep patterns are still all over the place, but I have decided that is just who you are and you will grow into sleep with time. We just have to wait for "your time to get big". You seem to just need more time and help with transitions like that, and that is what Daddy and I are here for.

We didn't see Dr. Franz this month, but we did see the GI doctor. When she weighed you were 13 lbs 12 oz. That means you are still in the 10th percentile, so you are still right on track for who you are! The GI doctor still thinks you have a really strong milk allergy, so we have to keep seeing her for a little while longer. But, I am very happy you are as healthy as you are. You did seem to inherit your Daddy's pain tolerance, so luckily none of this really phases you.

You still only have peach fuzz for hair. Though, Daddy keeps thinking if he rubs his copper beard on your head that it will come in red. I am starting to think you really are going to be a blonde or strawberry blonde. You also tan! I am so jealous that you can tan up like your Daddy and Great-Grandma. That was a shocker to me when I realized that your little legs were tanner than my arms have ever been.

You also had a lot of new adventures this month. I am starting to think that by the time you are a year old there won't be anything new to do with you! This month you went camping at Disney and to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party with Uncle Rey and Aunt Courtney. While we were at Disney you went swimming for the first time in a real pool. You weren't to sure of it at first, but when you figured out we weren't going to let you you started enjoying it.

Drew Mickey

AJ as a Mouseketeer

Showing off his tail.

The whole gang.

We got a laugh from Mickey because of our Mickey.

I was so amazed by how well you did camping. You loved being outside and checking everything out.

Hanging out on the blanket.

This month you got baptized at Servants of Christ Anglican Church in Gainesville. It was really special because Father Alex is the same person who married Daddy and I. Uncle Chad is now your godfather. That is special because he was also your Daddy's best man in our wedding. You had lots of family come into town for this special day: Great-Grandma and Great Grandpa, both sets of Grandparents, and Aunt Ashely, Uncle Paul, and Savannah.

With Fr. Alex

Grandma took you for a walk.

You decided to chew on Great Grandma's tie.

Great Grandparents

Momma's family

The other fun thing about your baptism was our friends John and Betty brought their daughter Charlotte down from South Carolina to be baptized with you. We were all really happy to share this time with them.

While we were in Gainesville, we went persimmon picking. No one really knew what a persimmon was, but we thought it sounded like fun. Daddy and Uncle Chad enjoyed playing with the long cutters and you enjoyed putting new things in your mouth. This is also when we realized you can sit up if you want to.

Checking out the trees.

Persimmons make Drew sized pumpkins.

Daddy, Drew, and Uncle Chad

You went on your first cemetery tour. It was in the Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando. That was a lot of fun. You slept through most of it in the Ergo, but you loved being outside at night. We saw a couple of graves that we wonder if they are part of our family.

We have also spent a lot of time outside lately because the weather has finally gotten nice and much cooler. You really enjoy playing on the blanket outside and going for walks.

With Halloween being this month I had a lot of fun trying different costumes on you. Luckily, you were a great sport about it all.

Putting bug antenna on the Bug.

He is a little pumpkin.

You also went to the theme parks a lot this month, but I think that is starting to go without saying. We met up with lots of friends from Gainesville and went to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. You didn't get to try any food, but you sure enjoyed chewing on a Coke cup.


Drew's first Coke (cup).


Checking out the new ride area at Universal.

This month you stayed with your first babysitter. You hung out with Grandma and Poppa while Daddy, Aunt Amy, and I went to the book sale in Gainesville. I think you had a really good time with them until you got hungry. You were very glad to see me when I got back, but otherwise they said you were great. I missed having you around, but you will have to wait a little longer until we take you to the book sale on Day 1.

You also spent a lot of time hanging out with friends. We went to Corona's a couple of times to have dinner with Joy and Jason. They really like having you around. You got lots of sunggle time with Aunt Amy (Mamie) while she was down on vacation. She misses you a lot, but hopefully we will get to see her again soon.

You are such an enjoyable little boy and I am loving getting to see every moment of your life. I can't wait to see all the adventures next month holds!

I love you bunches!

-Momma

Drew - Month 4

2011-10-02T12:56:00.000-04:00

Dear Drew,

Wow! This month has been so full of new things and adventures that I am just getting a chance to write this to you. I am really starting to understand the differences in having a little boy - you are so full of energy and noise. You are really getting the hang of moving and understanding you are making the noise and it seems to be all you want to do. You are so happy-go-lucky most of the time and so curious about everything going on around you.

Eating the blanket.

This month you really found your ability to put things in your mouth. You like chewing on blankets, froggy, fingers - yours and other people's, and almost anything else you can get your hands on. You are so cute playing with your blankets. You are getting a little better at entertaining yourself for short periods of time, especially if you can still see Daddy or me. You have also learned how to giggle. It cracks me up! I love hearing it and am enjoying new ways to get you to do it.

You are a very social little boy! You have enjoyed people watching with Daddy and me. You love smiling at people in the store and checking them out. You draw a lot of attention by being so alert and interactive. I forget how cute you are (because I know I am biased that you are cute) until friends are with us and other people are telling them how cute you are.

This month has also had a lot of doctor's appointments for you. You are still having some tummy troubles, so we went to a specialist. She thinks you have reflux and has put you on some medication for it. She also made you go for a test in the hospital. Luckily, you did great during the test and we got a negative on the test, which is what we wanted. I was very proud of you! I was also thankful that 'Aunt' Courtney could meet us for it, because honestly I was a nervous wreck.

Waiting on the test at the hospital.

We also went back to the pediatrician for your four month check up. You are right on target for your developmental milestones. You are also still in the 10th percentile of growth all around. You were 12lbs 13 oz and 24 inches long. I can not believe it! You have doubled your birth weight now and grown 6 inches since you were born. You are still on the small side, perfect for who you are supposed to be, but seem so much bigger now.

You have also started to get a tiny bit of hair! It is peach fuzz at this point, but it is coming in. We are still not sure what color it is going to be. Daddy and I guess about it everyday, but it is still a waiting game. I love rubbing my cheeks across the top of your head and feeling it. I have also enjoyed wetting it and then drying it to make the fuzz stand up.


Checking out the waves.

This month we went to the beach when a hurricane passed close to Florida. This is one of the few times I like going to the beach since it isn't hot and bright. You really enjoyed being outside and in the sea air. You weren't so sure of the waves moving the sand out from under your feet though, and you got a little unhappy when it started to rain on us.


What is happening to the sand?

We went up to Grandma and Poppa's house this month. You liked being there. Poppa drove you around in the yellow jeep and you got to sit on Daddy's lap. You LOVED that! Poppa also took you wandering all around the property, and you got to see deer and squirrels. I really think you are going to be an outdoorsy little boy.

Poppa also made you a sign to welcome you home. He put it out on the big gate for you. When we tried to get your picture with it it started raining, but we wanted the picture anyways!

While we were up in Tallahassee you also got to meet Grandma's best friend, Sandy. She was really happy to finally meet you and not just see pictures of you from Grandma.

We also went to your first movie on the grass. We went to see "Tangled" with Joy, Christine, and Brett. You did so well! You played on the grass and then just chilled while the movie was on. You did take a cat nap for a little while, but then were back up in full motion. It is starting to get harder to take a picture of you with your constant motion.

On Momma's t-shirt blanket.

In constant motion.


Finally, a moment of stillness.

We also helped our church celebrate 5 years this month. That was fun! They had a luncheon after the service and you played with the lei on the table. You were so cute in your little overalls!

Cuteness!

Baby toes.

You also got to "eat" at some fun places this month. You are so well behaved in restaurants as long as you can see what is going on. We met Grandma and Grandpa Peck for lunch one day and took your little chair and you sat on the table the whole time we ate and just had a blast. We also went downtown for dinner at Corona with Joy and Jason, then to The Dessert Lady with Joy one night. I forgot to take pictures!

Eating sushi!

Meeting Uncle Chad at Maui Teriyaki in Gainesville.

Playing trivia at BW3!

Daddy had a lot of fun with you this month. I think he is enjoying having you so he can be a kid without looking too silly. I love how much time he spends playing with you and just enjoying his little boy!

I am not sure who is enjoying the Tonka truck more.

You also had so many more adventures that I wish I had gotten pictures of, but sometimes life just happens around us. We took you to see Illuminations at EPCOT one night. We discovered how much you love fireworks. You only fussed when they stopped and when it was totally over you were rather frustrated. It cracked me up! We have taken you to both Disney and Universal about once a week. I think you have been to the theme parks more than almost any other baby.

You are so much fun to have in our life! I can't fathom having a different baby or you not being in our life. I am enjoying making up songs to make you smile, and spending time playing with you. You really are a pleasure and a treasure.

With lots and lots of love,

Momma

Drew - Month 3 - On the Roll

2011-08-23T16:52:00.000-04:00

Dear Drew,

You are three months old now. I can not believe it. I am already starting to wonder where the time has gone. You have amazed me this month. You are "talking" all the time now, grabbing at things, and starting to teeth. You still aren't the biggest fan of tummy time, but I know it is because you can't see much. Though, when you are on your tummy you can lift your head and arch your back very well. You have also rolled over by yourself a couple of times. The last week or so all you have wanted to do is stand. I can't believe you are already wanting to stand up. You can't sit on your own yet, but you have decided to ignore sitting for now. If I put you in a chair or a swing you get very disgruntled and want to be held or standing on something. You seem to be hitting some of your developmental milestones ahead of the curve, and that always throws me for a loop.

Practicing grabbing onto things.

We have also noticed that you are very curious about everything, to the point of being nosey. You want to see everything and check it out. We have had to start carrying you outward facing in the sling because you grumble facing inwards unless you are sleepy. It makes me happy to watch you check everything out and want to see it all. I love watching you.

You have really started to "talk" to us. It cracks us up the way you respond sometimes, you seem to have a sense of humor already. Between the humor and all your smiles, you are living up to your nickname of "cheeky monkey". We have started trying to baby sign with you. We know it is early, but you are trying to mimic us. Besides, we figure mimicry will turn into actual signs at some point.

You are also changing physically. You have started to get some hair on the top of your head. It is still peach-fuzz but it is there. It is so soft and I love rubbing your little head. You like having your head washed in the tub now, too. You have filled out more and are starting to look a little chunky. We weighed you at home and you are almost up to 12 pounds, which keeps you right on track for being in the 10th percentile.

You started off the month with some issues being in the car. It made me very sad to hear you scream all the way home from things. You were very unhappy, but then we figured out that swaddling you in your car seat really helped. We also bought you your froggie. That helped me be able to find your pacifier and give it back to you. I think you like it.

Asleep with froggie.

You have started to grow into some different clothes. I was sad to pack away some of your smaller ones, but I am enjoying finding new outfits for you. You are so cute and the clothes just make you cuter!

Overalls!

Momma's Little Monkey.

Drew the Tool Man.

You have had a very full month this month, from traveling to birthday parties. You have been such a wonderful little adventurer. You have taken it all in stride. We were worried you would be a fussy baby on our trip, but as long as someone was in the backseat to talk to you it was all good!

Great Grandma getting some snuggles.

We started the month off by heading to Grandma and Grandpa's for Daddy's birthday. There you got lots of snuggles by Great Grandma. You were even dressed in your Tonka outfit for Daddy's birthday.

Drew in Momma's baby chair.

Then, Grandma and Poppa came down to see you. They brought all kinds of fun things - a cameo outfit for you and the chair that I used to sit in when I was a baby. You seemed a little unsure of it, but as long as you were sitting up you were happy.

Uncle Rey at 360.

We meet up with Uncle Rey to watch 360 at Universal as part of Daddy's birthday celebrations. You did GREAT! I wasn't sure how you would take the few loud booms, but you took them like a champ, and you liked looking at the pictures on the balls.

You got to meet Woody Woodpecker at Universal! He is your first Universal character, even though you have been there more than you have been to Disney. He was so excited about you! He hopped down to the ground and patted his lap to be able to hold you. We weren't expecting that because at Disney they can't hold babies, but at Universal they loved holding you.

For your biggest adventure we went to Asheville, NC. We got to hang out with a lot of people on this trip. Uncle Chad came with us, and that was a lot of fun. We also got to see Aunt Ashley, Uncle Paul, Savannah, Aunt Amy, and your cousin Jenny. I went to a conference and took you with me, while everyone else was just there to hang out. It was a really fun weekend, but a very rushed one. We plan on taking you back when you are bigger and can really enjoy everything. On the way home we got to eat lunch with Uncle Chris and Aunt Rachael (another set of Daddy's old roommates). I wish we had taken pictures, but we were starting to get antsy to get home.

At CNN where Uncle Paul works.

Hanging out with Aunt Amy.

Aunt Ashley, Savannah, Aunt Amy, Daddy, and Drew.

Family picture time!

Your first mountain experience.

At the Georgia Welcome Center on the way home.

You got to see our friends Jenn and Luke this month, too. You went to Disney to help Luke celebrate his fourth birthday! You really enjoyed all the Jenn snuggles and watching Luke. You also got to watch Wishes at the Magic Kingdom. Again, I was worried the booms would make you unhappy, but they didn't. You clung to Daddy, but were really into watching them. I am scared you are going to start thinking you are as big as he is. We went to Downtown Disney with them, too. You were getting hot and fussy by the end, but you loved being outside with them.

Hanging out at the hotel.

Wishes.


At Downtown Disney.

You also helped your friend Karis celebrate her first birthday! It was your first kid birthday party. You had a lot of fun and got to see lots of friends. You loved seeing all the people and the noises. You are such a social little boy.

Karis and her cake.

Drew checking out Karis' cake.

Your friend Eloise.


You and your friend Ethan (and his dad Brian).

Getting a piggy-back ride from Daddy.

You are so much fun to have around, and you are such a good baby. I am totally in love with you and I have enjoyed you so much this month. You are changing in front of my very eyes and I am savoring every moment of who you are. You are my little boy and such a blessing to me. You still are not a very snuggly baby, but I happily take what snuggles you give and a few that I can steal. You have such a distinct personality, and that makes me smile so often. Thanks for being such a great traveling companion this month and for going on so many adventures with us. I love you bunches!

Drew - Month 2

2011-07-19T15:24:00.000-04:00

Dear Drew,

Wow! You are two months old now. You have changed so much over this last month! It seems like you have come out of the "fourth trimester" already. We weren't expecting this until later in month three, but you just seem to want to get on with things. You are such a curious little boy. You watch everything so intently and follow Momma and Daddy around with your eyes.

You have been working so hard on holding your head up already. You have it mostly mastered unless you are really tired or just wanting to be snuggled. We bought you a Bumbo chair this last week because you want to sit up already. You aren't old enough to do it on your own, but you really love sitting in the chair. It makes you look like a really big boy. You behave like you are an older baby, and that makes me forget how little you still are sometimes.

You are content to do your own thing fairly often. You will sit in your chair or in the baby bathtub (empty of course) and entertain yourself, but only if you can see me. You like laying on the bed and watching the fan when I am getting ready in the morning. We are working on giving you some alone time in the pack n' play in the afternoons, or putting you in the swing so I can get a few things done (like this blog post). So far, so good... as long as I come when you start getting fussy.

You are really working on your hand-eye coordination. You have started to bat at things - like your mobile on the swing. You still haven't gotten it down yet, but you are very happy when you do make contact with them. It is probably time to bring down your playmat with the hanging toys on it.

You have turned into a more snuggly little boy this month. We bought a sling for you and you love being in it and snuggled up on someone. You are so cute when you fall asleep in it and you will stay asleep for most of your nap time in it. We are still struggling to get you to take your naps otherwise. You don't want to miss anything so you really fight them. You are getting a little better at sleeping at night, but we still have our up all night nights.

You have also outgrown a lot of things this month. You no longer fit into any of the newborn clothes and there is a bunch of 0-3 month you have already outgrown. You have already outgrown the diapers I made for you. It was very sad to pack all those things away, but I am very thankful you are growing so well. We have moved you into the gdiapers even though they are technically to big for you, but you are so long they seem to be fitting ok. This next month you should be fitting them very well as much as you are growing.

We took you to the pediatrician for your two month check up. You have gained 2 lbs and almost 2 inches. Which puts you at 10 lbs and 22 inches. You are tracking very steady in the 10% range. The doctor was happy about that since that is the size range you were born in. She joked that you were a very consistent baby. We also talked about possible allergies you are having to some of the things I am eating. She agreed with us and it does sound like you are allergic to my foods. She also agreed with a lot of what the acupuncturist has been telling us about you, namely that you are a determined, stubborn, and rigid little boy. Your Daddy and I agree with that assessment. All in all, you are a perfectly healthy little guy.

If you thought last month was full of adventures, this month was even more adventurous. We drove down to Tamarac, FL to meet the people of our bank and to check out the Ikea there. We went up to Orange City, FL to visit Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa. You did pretty well on the long car trips, but short ones have been making you really fussy lately. We figured it out - you can't see or touch anyone if we are not in the backseat with you.

We went to Disney several times this month. It was your first time riding on the monorail. You really enjoyed looking out the windows. You also had your first character breakfast at Disney. Rey and Courtney went with us and we made t-shirts for it. You were "Roo" from Winnie the Pooh. The cast members thought that was funny since I was Kanga and was carrying you in the sling (aka "the pouch").

Everyone thought you were so cute. The characters kept coming around to see you, and the hostess would sneak over and check your shirt out and then giggle as they left. It was so much fun and you were very smiley with everyone (until you fell asleep).

We met up with Uncle Rey another day this month and went to Animal Kingdom. You got to see the characters from Winnie the Pooh again. They thought you were so cute that they gave us a "Magical Moment". That was really special and we were so happy to get a picture of you and all the characters in one shot.

While we were at Animal Kingdom we took you over to "It's Tough to be a Bug." We really wanted a picture of you in front of the sign wearing your cute Bug outfit. I know you will outgrow being our little Bug one day, but I am having so much fun with it right now.

This month you also got to go to your first "semi-formal" dinner party. It was Joy's birthday. You were so cute. You stayed in the sling the whole time and slept through most of the party. I was very proud of you!

You also got to play programmer with Daddy and Uncle Rey. They were working on building a website and you decided that you really needed to help them. It was very cute, even if they thought you were going to be the next E-trade baby.

You went to your first movie this month. Daddy really wanted to go see the new Transformers movie. That was a bit much for you. You did really well, though. You were fairly content as long as you were in the sling. I did have to walk around with you for some of it, but you didn't fuss. It will probably be a long while before we take you to another action movie.

You also got a bath in the big bath tub this month. You really enjoyed it and were very content to just hang out there. Daddy was in the tub with you, and of course made you do some silly things. I am very happy you are content in the water. I was worried that after your first bath you would not like them at all, but just the opposite has happened. You have even gotten in the shower with me a few times.

You also had a surprise visit from Grandma and Poppa this month. They came down just to see you because Poppa couldn't handle being away from you for a whole month. He decided that Skyping with you wasn't enough and he needed some Drew snuggles.

You have gotten a lot better at Skyping lately, too. You have a longer attention span for seeing people, and we try to do it with both sets of grandparents fairly frequently. You also got to talk to Aunt Ashley this month. That was fun since she hadn't seen you since you were a tiny baby (other than pictures).

You are growing so fast and we are enjoying every minute of having you. We are having fun watching you grow and start to see the world around you. You are such a good baby and we love you so much!

What's to Eat?

2011-07-18T13:43:00.000-04:00

Food has been a very hot topic in our house lately. Statements such as : "There is nothing I can eat." or "I am hungry, but I can't have anything we have." Followed by blank and confused looks from AJ and then him trying to be very helpful and find me something to eat. Why is food a problem, especially when we stocked the house and freezers with so much food?

Well, partially because we have eaten a lot of the freezer meals, and partially because it looks like Drew is allergic to a lot. It looks like currently he is allergic to eggs, dairy, and wheat. There goes my cereal addiction.

The poor boy has been breaking out in some nasty rashes the last couple of weeks. At first we thought it was baby acne, but then it spread to all over his body. The spreading to the whole body, even his elbows and feet ruled out baby acne. Next, we thought it was a heat rash. So, we tried the keeping him cool with little clothes on and nice baths. That helped a little bit, but not much. Then we noticed the texture of the rash and it felt like sandpaper all over his face, head, neck, shoulders, back, chest, and elbows. He had some that looked like acne, but most of them were fine grained and bumpy. So, I started reading some of the articles on kellymom and started putting the pieces together. If you add the congestion, mucousy diarrhea, trouble sleeping, and the rash to the family history of allergies it starts to really look obvious.

So, we cut out the eggs immediately. I am not a fan of eggs, but I had been eating them in the morning because they were quick and supposed to be good for both of us. That helped a lot, as in the rash started lessening with in a couple of days. We also cut out dairy, which is harder than I thought even though I have a mild allergy to milk myself - though I had no problems consuming large quantities while pregnant. Now, we are working on getting all the gluten out of my diet. This is proving to be very hard! I don't want to give up gluten! But, seeing the changes I have already seen by cutting out the other stuff, I know I have to cut it out.

With the foods being cut out we are seeing the rash going away slowly - it is only red when he is warm and the texture is fading, too. His congestion is getting better and barely noticeable most of the time. The sleep is getting better, too. I don't want to say to much and jinx myself. His stools are still frustrating and I think that one has the most to do with the gluten. It said it can take up to two weeks until all the bad things are out of my system, so I am hoping in the next couple of weeks we will see some big improvements.

With all these things being removed from my diet I have been a real grump about food. Besides feeling like I am hungry all the time, I haven't known what to eat so I have been skipping a lot of meals lately. This fact does not make AJ happy at all. So, this weekend we set out to find somethings I can cook with and some foods I can eat. We found egg substitutes (actually the same one AJ's family used when they were living in Peru), flour mix substitute, and decided to try using the almond milk I drink in cooking (we haven't officially tried this yet, though). We also talked to the acupuncturist I have been seeing about food options, too. After all of this I am starting to feel hopeful that I can make it through this. It is going to be difficult and annoying, but doable.

I will admit, I am still a bit nervous about how to eat when we decide to travel. We have some adventures planned in the coming months, so I know I am going to have to deal with this. I am just curious what it is going to look like. Thankfully Whole Foods sells a lot of safe foods, so we can pack snacks and such. If you know of any restaurants that are allergen friendly or travel foods that pack well, please let me know!

I know this restriction is something we have come up with and it seems to be helping, but we still plan on talking to Drew's pediatrician about all of it at his two month appointment. I want to make sure he doesn't still have some kind of wonky stomach virus. He is growing really well, so I don't think that is the problem, but I still want to be safe.

Baby Smiles and A Belated Happy 4th of July

2011-07-07T16:20:00.000-04:00

Drew - Month 1- Adventures Abound

2011-06-21T15:35:00.000-04:00

Dear Drew,

I can't believe you are a month old now. It seems like the last month has just flown by. You have changed so much from when we first brought you home. You are still a tiny little boy, but you are growing. We had you weighed and measured at the doctor's office and you had gained 2lbs and 2 inches. Wow! I would have never guessed you would have grown that much in the first month. We have already had to pack away some of your newborn onesies because you have gotten too long for them. It was mildly bittersweet to pack them away, I am glad you are growing big and strong, but I am sad that you aren't that little anymore.

We can see your personality developing already. You are a very laid back baby. You smile a bunch and have a dimple (only on one side), seeing you so smiley makes me smile. You do get fussy, but generally only when you are hungry. You tend to grunt a lot, especially when you are wiggling. You wiggle A LOT - when you are awake, when you are asleep, and when you are being held. This and your desire to scrunch up like an inch worm has earned you the nickname "Squirmy Wormy."

You are a very strong little boy. I joked while I was pregnant that you were trying to bust your way out when you would decide to kick or headbutt me, I now know you were developing all those strong muscles. You so want to be able to hold your head up already and really fight to try to do it. You are very strong when you arch your back and push with your arms or legs. It just amazes me to watch you try and roll already.

You aren't much of a cuddler right now. I think it is because you get warm and that makes you unhappy. We had to stop putting you in long sleeves and wrapping you in blankets because you were getting overheated (even in the house). You do like contact though, so I think you might evolve into a cuddler as we get your temperature zone figured out.

You have met family and friends, and they were all so excited to meet you.

Grandma & Poppa


"Aunt" Courtney

Grandma & Great Grandma

Great Grandpa & Grandpa

Aunt Ashley & Savannah

"Uncle" Chad

You also had several big adventures. First, you went to Disney World. We took you to Star Wars Weekends wearing your onesie that you share with your Aunt Stine's little girls. That was so much fun! You were so cute and Princess Leia loved you! Rey and Courtney had a blast showing you off to the people they work with. Then, we went over to EPCOT because we needed to buy something for Poppa. That gave us a great chance to let you meet Donald Duck ( I think he is your Daddy's favorite). Donald thought you were adorable and spent lots of time trying to get you to show of your cute dimple. Finally, we got Rey to hold you with his giant Mickey gloves. I don't think you knew what to make of that, but you were such a good sport about it.

You also got to go to Universal. Chad was down and so we went with him. It was really hot, so you and I hung out in the child swap rooms while the big boys rode roller-coasters. That worked out pretty well because you weren't feeling so great, so I was very happy to snuggle and feed you. We did take you to The Three Broomsticks in Harry Potter, though you slept through the whole thing. When you are bigger we will get you your own cup of Butterbeer.

You did have one very scary adventure this month. We had to take you to the doctor for your fist sick visit, and that turned into a three day stay in the hospital. You were running a fever, not eating, and just general ickiness. Your doctor decided that because of all that you needed to stay in the hospital and get checked out since you are so little. They did some pretty scary test on you and it made me cry, but I knew they were taking good care of you. You were not happy about much of anything while we were in the hospital, but we all understood why. Luckily, it turned out to be just a stomach virus, but you sure had me and Daddy scared.

Because of the stomach virus and hospital stay you are starting off month 2 pretty slow. You are sleeping a lot and wanting lots of cuddles. I think you have also got your first cold because you have been congested since we got home from the hospital, but I know you will get over it soon.

You are an amazing baby and I am so very thankful for you. I have loved having you this last month and I can't fathom going back to before you were here. Even with all the bumps (the big one and even just the normal baby bumps) it has been wonderful. You have won us over completely.

Love,

Momma

Drew's Birth Story

2011-05-28T22:14:00.000-04:00

I am not sure really where to start with this story, and I keep typing a start and deciding that isn't "right". So, I think I will just jump in and fill in details as needed. I hope it makes sense because I am not running on very much sleep, but Drew is sleeping and I want to get this started before I start forgetting things. I will warn you, it might be a little TMI or graphic, but not intentionally gross.

Wednesday 5/18/11 - I finally went to bed at about 3 AM, which had turned into my bedtime. I woke up at 4 AM with some mild cramping and just an odd feeling. I went to the bathroom and noticed that I was starting to have some mucous happening. I thought about it, but went back to bed. AJ's alarm went off at 5:15 AM. I got up and went potty again (this was a fairly normal pattern, sadly). The mucous had gone bloody and was still very heavy. I went back to bed and told AJ that I thought he should stay home for the day. Things just felt a little different and I didn't want him to leave me. He agreed and so we went back to bed.

I was having a hard time sleeping because I couldn't get comfy. My SI joints and other bones were really starting to bother me. I fought with it until about 7:45 AM. I had been listening to my Hypnobabies tracks on the playlist I had made. It was helping, but I wasn't able to shut off completely. Then we decided we should at least go get checked out because the mucous was really bloody and still really heavy. I think I joked at that point that we weren't having a human baby, but an octopus. So, we headed to the hospital.

We got there about 8:30 AM. They sent us to triage, and that wasn't a very nice experience. All the normal triage rooms were full and being used as delivery rooms, so we were put in the official "triage" room - basically the size of a closet that was cold and with a grumpy nurse. She wouldn't let AJ take the wheelchair into the triage room because it wouldn't fit. It was miserably painful trying to do everything she wanted with my SI joints totally gone and bone pain starting in my pelvis and femurs.

She hooked me up to the fetal heart monitor and the contraction monitor. Drew's heart beat was fine, but she couldn't see anything happening on my end, even though I could feel the tightening. She checked me and decided I was still at 1 cm. She said since I couldn't walk around to see if that would make the contractions stronger that they were sending me home. Hmph! So, we headed home.

I spent the rest of the day rotating between my recliner and the shower. I couldn't get comfy! I wish I could say it was the contractions, but it wasn't. I couldn't lay down for most of the day and kept finding positions that took the pressure off my back. I put my TENS unit on after AJ helped me take a bath in our big tub. Things were starting to get a little more intense, but not bad. I spent the next 3 hours curled up in my recliner, trying to use the "Relax" cue from Hypnobabies. It worked really well. I still couldn't "Turn off" the way I was supposed to, but the "relax" cue was working.

Around 8:30 PM I called AJ into the bedroom and told him we needed to start timing the contractions again. Instead of him using the nifty online app I had found for doing that, he had to write his own program for it, that would graph everything for him. He can't help being a nerd even during labor. We timed them for about an hour and a half. We found out that the contractions were coming every 3-4 minutes and lasting about 2 minutes each. Which honestly surprised me. I knew they were lasting longer, but not that long.

We decided to call the OB on call line. The doctor on call wasn't our OB, but the second OB in our practice. We had seen him on the floor when we had gone into triage, so we weren't surprised, but we really wanted our OB. He said go ahead and head in, but he wasn't officially convinced this was it since he had seen us that morning. It took us a little while to get moving towards the hospital. My bones were really painful at this point and the contractions were taking some energy to "relax" through with deep breathing. We finally left the house around 10:30 PM, and started the 45 minute trek to the hospital.

On the way there I figured out why things were starting to hurt so bad... the batteries in my TENS unit were dying/ almost dead. We stopped at Walgreen's and bought some more. I am very thankful we did. That made a huge difference! AJ got me to the hospital and we headed back to L&D. This time it was a much better experience.

The nurses we had were the same ones we had a couple of weeks before when I was having some swelling problems. They remembered us and all my funky conditions. We had made them and information packet about EDS this time, and they were so appreciative. They took it and punched it and put it in my file. Which was GREAT because everyone who came in was flipping through our information and actually paying attention to what we were telling them. I am so glad I took the time to do that.

This time they put me in an actual room and got me hooked to the monitors. Again, they couldn't see any contractions on the monitors, but they could see I was having them in person. Drew's heartbeat was also on the slower side, which was a new one for him. They were a little concerned, but nothing to bad. They did a internal exam and I was at 4 cm at 12:30 AM. They also couldn't feel my water bag. They asked when my water had broken. I didn't know that it had. I had felt a plop at one point, but I was going potty and I thought it was more goop because I didn't keep leaking like everyone said I would.

After this they struggled to get an IV into me. I didn't want one, but honestly I really needed it. I was becoming really dehydrated from vomiting all day (my body was purging everything it could to get ready for this baby). Luckily, Cathy (our main nurse) was wonderful. She believed me on how bad my veins are, and really took her time trying to find a good one. She would stop looking for a vein when I was having a contraction and that was a big help. It did take her 3 sticks to finally get one in, but that was better than expected. I am really thankful we had also downloaded the "Needles are OK" track from Hypnobabies. The "OK" cue they taught really helped. I didn't freak out and I managed to survive something that normally induces sheer panic and a complete shut down on my part. They did have to come back and draw blood because the anesthesiologist was really curious about something about my clotting. When the nurses saw how fast I bruised from a simple butterfly blood draw they mildly freaked out. I warned them!

About 1:30 AM the anesthesiologist came in to talk to us. He was flipping through the EDS paperwork when he came in. He knew we thought I couldn't have an epidural, but he wanted to talk to us. After talking to me and the paperwork he was in total agreement that I couldn't have one. He was prepping that if they had to do a C-section that I would have to go under general anesthesia. We agreed to that. He was actually surprised that I wasn't considered a high-risk and being sent to another hospital that had a better set up in case something went wrong. We did agree to let him take blood for some clotting factor studies, we were curious if everything was ok on that front. It was, and I am glad to know I clot ok.

I did start asking for a narcotic in the IV after we talked to the anesthesiologist. He had been ok with me having one for the bone pain (even though I knew it wouldn't help much or for very long). Though the nurses told me I couldn't have any. Drew's heart rate being low made them decided it was a bad idea, which I thought was weird because I had been on codeine for the last two weeks. I asked them to call the OB, they said they would, but I am not sure that happened. Needless to say, I never got any.

Cathy came back in at 2:00 AM to check me again. I was at 8 cm. This surprised her. Up until this point I had been ok to be up walking around and using the potty. Cathy told me I couldn't use the potty anymore because she was really scared this baby was going to be born there. I was still allowed to move around and I did walk and stand some in the room. I remember telling AJ that I thought I was starting transition, though there was no shaking, sweating, or other normal symptoms. I was still in a lot of pain in the bones. We also had to change the contact pads on the TENS. Every time we took off the monitors it made the pads come off and they were already low on adhesive, but thankfully we had a back up set. A side note on the TENS - I was really thankful that no one made me take it off. Everyone asked what it was for and we kept saying my back and SI pain. The nurses and the doctors had no problem with that. Yay!

For some reason Cathy decided to check me again at 3:15 AM. I was at 10 cm. Again, she was shocked that it had moved that quickly, and I wasn't really showing it externally. She was really supportive and kept telling me I was doing a good job and was really impressed by my control of it all. She told us to let her know if I started feeling "pushy". 15 minutes later, I was really starting to feel pushy. She called the OB, and came into the the room and said, "I have to tell you not to push." What? I asked if I had to follow that order, she said she was just required to tell me not to push until the doctor got there, but she couldn't physically make me not push.

The OB showed up at 3:45 AM. This is when things got frustrating. This OB didn't know about the joint problems and wanted me to birth in the laying flat position. Not really a good option. He threatened a C-section at this point, and I looked at AJ and said, "OK." I physically could not get into the exact position he wanted. This was actually the first time I screamed at all, or anything other than "deep breath in, mutter relax, and deep breath out". It wasn't an in pain scream, I was totally frustrated at this doctor. I wanted my OB! Luckily, the nurses helped me find a compromise. The position still hurt, but it was better than what the OB wanted. Then the OB said we were in for a lot of pushing because Drew was still really high up in my belly. They also lost his heartbeat and "had" to put in an cranial monitor. It didn't work. They spent the next few minutes looking for a different cable to make it work (what a waste of time). It also frustrated the OB that the contraction monitor wasn't working. That actually worked in my favor because he couldn't tell me when to push and I got to dictate when I was pushing.

Drew was born at 3:54 AM. Needless to say, we weren't in for a long pushing time. I did get a second degree tear, but I really think I did that to myself. The OB said to stop pushing at one point, but I was in the middle of a contraction and a push. I couldn't turn it off in the middle. Drew also had a head bleed from the stupid cranial monitor. Luckily, the nurse taking care of him got it to stop really quickly. Drew did pee on the OB when he was first born. I think he was getting him back for sticking that probe in his head (at least that is my take on it, and it would totally fit his in utero personality).

They got both of us cleaned up, checked out fairly quickly, and me stitched up. Drew took to nursing fairly easily in the recovery room. That made me very happy. The other thing that made me happy was that all the nurses kept telling me I did a good job. Later, Cathy came back in and told me that she was totally amazed with my birthing time. She was really impressed with my complete control and lack of screaming. She said the lady next to me had an epidural and was screaming up a storm. I felt bad for the lady next door.

They took us over to the Mother-Infant side of things and we got settled. We made it through Thursday being poked and prodded every couple of hours. Though, I finally got food and that was very nice. They kept bringing me lots of fruit (which I was craving). AJ's mom came to visit us around 10 AM, and stayed for a couple of hours. Unfortunately, his dad had a major cold and couldn't come. My parents came into town around 3 PM. They stayed at the hospital for a little bit and then headed to our house.

About 2:30 AM on Friday I finally got a shower, and that helped me to feel better. I snuggled with Drew all the rest of the night. I couldn't handle the thought of him sleeping in the plastic bin on his first night. It broke my heart to see him in there, so I stayed awake all night snuggling. Though, whenever I tried to sleep the nurses or staff kept coming into the room. They did my blood work at 4:00 AM and then came back to do Drew's heel stick at 5:00 AM. It was easier to just give up on sleep than to actually try to get any. The nurse did say later that day, that the second day they actually try to leave mom and baby alone.

We never got to experience them leaving us alone. We got discharged at about 3:30 and headed home. All total, we were in the hospital less than 48 hours which is what we were aiming for. I don't like hospitals and I was very happy to get out of there. Though, we did leave a lot faster than the nurses were expecting. They were rushing around to get our discharge paperwork ready and the birth certificate information. Luckily, we didn't have anything holding either of those up, especially the fact that we already had a name picked out (apparently, that is a major problem that holds up birth certificate).

Drew slept all the way home. Then he got lots of grandma snuggles once we were home. I was very happy to spend his second night at our home. I think things went a lot smoother being home. It was much more comfortable to learn to nurse in our own home than to have to worry about all the random people walking into our room in the hospital. I was also happy to be back in my bed and take a nice hot shower in our shower (the hospital shower was luke warm and really really tiny). It was nice to have real food with flavor, too.

There are somethings that didn't go the way I wanted them to during the birth like not having my OB, the IV, and the tear, but overall it went so much better than I could have ever hoped. I am so thankful for that. I am thankful I didn't have back labor, Drew was in the right position (from week 20 on), and that even if I couldn't turn my switch completely off the "relax" cue worked great. I am thankful that most of my labor took place at home, and that we did make it to the hospital in time for him to be born there. I am thankful for such wonderful L&D nurses. They were so encouraging and helpful, which I needed. I am thankful that my body accomplished something I was scared it wouldn't be able to do. I am thankful that I didn't have to have an induction. I am thankful for everyone who was praying for us.

I am very thankful for the healthy happy baby that came out of all this!

Enjoying the Moment

2011-05-26T01:13:00.000-04:00

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.
(-Ruth Hulburt Hamilton)

My mom had this as a cross-stitch in my room as a baby. I remember seeing it, but not exactly understanding it. I think I get it now. I am enjoying every moment I can with this baby boy, because I know he is going to grow up faster than I would ever want. He has already started to change in this first week, and I am determined to savor every moment of this stage and every other stage of his life.

Welcome Drew!

2011-05-22T19:06:00.000-04:00

Introducing Andrew Edward the III. He was born on May 19th at 3:54 AM. He was 6lbs 6oz and 18 inches long. He and I are doing really well, with the normal side effects of a new baby - trying to sleep, learn to nurse, and just getting used to life with him outside instead of inside.

Baby Prep - Bulk Cooking

2011-05-04T11:18:00.000-04:00

Bulk Cooking Day 1 - The Supplies

After reading my friend Lauren's post about food prepping for baby Eloise, I remembered that I never posted an update on how filling the freezer was going. The process went really well and a lot smoother than I thought it would. There were a couple of bumps, but nothing too horrible. It went faster than I thought it would, and I feel like food-wise we are fairly ready for this little boy to come.

Bulk Cooking Day 2 - The Supplies

I did most of the cooking in two days. The first day I tackled everything on my own, but the second day AJ really stepped in and helped between his own projects. It probably shouldn't have taken two whole days, but we had to wait a month in between because of our budget. The first shopping trip cost about $90 for everything in February. The second trip cost about $110 in March. Both trips were about half a month's grocery budget for us, thus the reason we split it over two months. The only down side to having them a month apart was that I was a month further along, and starting to really feel the exhaustion of spending a whole day in the kitchen. Sadly, I only got a picture of day 2 supplies in the cart. We were so busy cooking I forgot to take pictures.

I used an edited version of Once A Month Mom's recipes from all over last year. Her site is WONDERFUL!!! It has the recipes, shopping list, labels for the bags/ food, and cooking instructions all for FREE! She has even expanded to have GF, Whole Foods, Vegetarian, Diet, and Baby Food menus. I am totally in love with her site and plan on using it even after Bug arrives, even if we don't do the huge quantities that we are doing now (she has half menus, too). I did edit her things somewhat. I saved the excel files she puts out, and then cut the meals that we won't eat or can't eat and then combined the shopping list with menus from other months. That took a bit of work, but it made the shopping so much easier. I knew if I needed 4lbs of chicken that I would be using 4lbs of chicken.

Pizza Casserole, Pumpkin Pancakes, and Blueberry Vanilla Muffins

Here is a breakdown of what we have ready to be either thawed and eaten, thawed and cooked (on these all the prep work is done, but some of the items don't freeze well once cooked), or cooked frozen:

Breakfast/ Snack Items:

Baked Oatmeal - 2 meals/ 12 servings
Apple Cinnamon Pancakes - 3 meals/ 12 servings
Pumpkin Pancakes - 4 meals/ 16 servings
Raspberry Lemon Muffins - 4 bags of 15 muffins
Blueberry Vanilla Muffins - 2 bags of 15 muffins
Banana Bread Muffins - 3 bags of 15 muffins

Grand Total Number of Meals: 17

Dinner Items (all meals are designed to serve at least 4):

Bacon and Bleu Cheese Burgers - 3 meals
Flounder with Spinach and Tomatoes - 4 meals
Stuffed Shells - 5 meals
Pizza Casserole - 4 meals
Apple Pie Pork Chops - 4 meals
Lemon Chicken - 3 meals
Chicken Pomodoro - 4 meals
Shepard's Pie - 2 meals

Grand Total Number of Meals: 29

Grand Total Number of Servings: 116

We have a few other things in the freezer that can be turned into meals fairly easily, but most of those items are things we keep in the freezer all the time - hamburger meat, spaghetti sauce with meat, frozen broccoli, assorted frozen veggies, bacon, hot dogs, and stew meat. There is also a good selection of chopped up fruit for smoothies - bananas, strawberries, and some medley mixes we picked up at Sam's Club. We also have a fairly well stocked pantry with the supplies on hand to make taco soup, black beans and rice, tacos, and a lot of the other staples in our world.

The Upright Baby Prep Freezer - Fully Stocked

There are a couple of things that I wish I had been able to stock up on, and depending on energy levels this week and what Bug decides to do about emerging I might still try to do some of them. They are things like French Toast, more Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips (I have eaten all the ones I made before), and Lactation Cookies. I really thought there was more I wanted to pre-cook, but looking back at my list I made it seems like I got most of it done, or the things that are left are easy things that we can throw together - Taco Soup, Broccoli and Cheese Baked Potatoes, Spaghetti or Ziti, or any number of beef or pork roast with veggies, or BBQ.

We did have a couple of missteps in this process. I didn't use some chicken as fast as I should have (at least for my personal preference), but I still used it in a meal called Cranberry Chicken and Rice. It sounded like a good idea, but when I got it all put together it really was yucky looking. We still put it in the freezer, but about two weeks later I decided I didn't want to chance it with the meat and it was just too gross looking and I wouldn't eat it even if it was ok. Well, we pulled them out of the freezer, but then got distracted in the garage and forgot to put them in the trash. About three days later I went in the garage and it was starting to smell like something had crawled in and died. Luckily, I saw the bags of food laying on the shelf above the chest freezer and threw them out. I was very glad they were bagged up in Ziplocks because I can't imagine the mess (or the smell) had they just been wrapped in foil. The other missteps haven't been nearly as gross. Most of them consist of eating all of something before I should have (the banana muffins) or choosing not to cook one of the recipes and use the meat for something else. We did have a few of the veggies go bad before I could cook with them like a butternut squash. I learned they don't like being in the fridge for a week.

All in all I am very happy with this process and the amount of food we have gotten for the amount of money and time spent. I am happy to know we won't starve (not that we were going to anyways) or just be eating junk for the first few weeks. It also makes me very happy to walk out in the garage and know that we have a whole freezer of food ready to go. There are a few things that will still have to be bought when the time comes like buns and fries and other side dishes, but those are a lot easier to tackle or send AJ to deal with when we need them.

Baby Prep - Outfits for the Bug

2011-05-03T11:24:00.000-04:00

When we found out we were having a little boy I was a tiny bit sad because it seemed at the time that all the cute clothes were for little girls (I have since gotten over this sadness). Which, made me go on a crazy hunt for some fun and cute baby boy things. I finally found some and I am totally in love with all the cute little boy onesies out there with ties on them.

Isn't that just cute and fairly nerdy? When I showed it to AJ he fell in love. Then I showed him how much people were charging for said cuteness on etsy. That caused some grumbling all around. Which meant it was time to figure out how to make them, that way we could have a steady supply as Bug grows out of previous sizes.

I found a good tutorial on Crap I've Made's blog. I had to do some tweaking from the pattern she has up because it was too big to fit onto a newborn onesie. So away I went at hacking it down to size and then followed the rest of her tutorial. The best part was she showed how to sew the tie on so that there was no double stitching over any of the parts.

Here is what I came up with:

It came out really cute and really tiny. Then I decided to get a little more creative and try the onesies I had seen with the suspenders on them (because I love boys wearing suspenders - AJ included).

I am really happy with this one! I am tempted to try to make a little pair of pants to go with it, but I don't trust my skills at such a project yet. I figure I can put him in the little newborn jeans we have and it will be adorable. I think this one might be our coming home outfit, but that depends on if I get one of my last sewing projects done...

Hypermobility Strikes Again

2011-04-23T11:04:00.000-04:00

I am learning that hypermobility in pregnancy is not a fun or a good thing. Actually, it really kind of stinks. Things are going downhill in ways that I really couldn't have imagined or predicted. Not that it surprises me, but still I was hoping things wouldn't get to bad.

My joints have gone haywire! My knees now bend totally backwards occasionally, my ankles are floppy useless things, and my pelvis has decided to just disengage from the whole rest of my body. Luckily, my OB is a wonderful person and has sent me to physical therapy for the last several weeks. Because it was an OB doing the referring I got in with an amazing therapist (and her intern) for pelvic problems. These two ladies are crazy booked up, and I am very happy to get to see them roughly twice a week.

They have been working on the pain side of things, and just trying to keep things from getting to out of hand. They have been concentrating on keeping my pelvis attached to the rest of me. I joked one day that it felt like my spine and hip bones were separating from each other and that they had this weird pulling sensation. They said that that is exactly what is happening. Ok, cue the freak out!

This is what the pelvis looks like. The sacroiliac (SI) joint is where I am having the most problems. It is literally pulling away from the spine due to the hypermobility and the increase in hormones from the pregnancy. Normally, a person wants this separation so that a baby can have a bit more room to come out. Unfortunately, it feels like my body is trying to spread out to allow a baby elephant out instead of a human.

This laxity is causing some major problems. I am really unstable standing up or walking. I have had it give out on me, and I have hit the floor (or tub) a few times and have several other near misses but caught myself on something to stay upright. I have no strength for lifting my feet up either. Trying to get dressed in the mornings is turning into a comedy of errors and I look like one of those weeble-wobble punching bags bouncing around trying to stay upright.

To combat this instability the PT encouraged me to get an SI belt. I tried out a Serola Sacroiliac Belt in the office and decided that it seemed like a good idea. I was warned that Bug might not like having the belt on at this point of the pregnancy because it will be squeezing around his head. But, if that turns out to be the case I can use it after he is born to pull my hips back into place and provide the stability I need then.

I have also been working on exercises to try to add some stability. Apparently, it is normal in pregnancy to have your glutes stop working to their potential because of the hormones causing laxity. This means that two little tiny muscles are doing all the work of holding the pelvis together and making walking at all possible. I am very thankful for those two tiny muscles, but they sure HURT! They are so tight and painful that the PT can barely touch them to try to work them out. It isn't fun when we get to the massage part of therapy. I was worried that they were so sore because I wasn't doing enough of the exercises or homework, but they told me that it is just part of the hypermobility combined with pregnancy. Those poor little muscles are just going to get tighter and more painful as things go on. Oh, joy!

Besides the exercises and homework therapy they have been encouraging me to take some of the water aerobics classes that are offered at the gym that is part of the hospital I am using for almost everything. I was trying to hold off from joining the gym until after Bug came because I didn't want to pay for it and I thought it was going to be crazy expensive. It was more than I wanted to pay, but having done several of the classes now, I am glad I did it. The gym has a heated therapy pool that they use for the PT side of things, and that is where some of the water aerobics classes are taught. The classes have been good so far and it is nice being in the water and not aching as much trying to move. It is weird in some ways though because I am generally the youngest person there by about 20-25 years. It is also awkward to have to explain EDS to people and that I am 8 months pregnant, because I don't look old enough to have joint problems and I am still not looking crazy pregnant. The other odd one is having the instructor say "just do a normal range of movement." Ummmm, what is normal supposed to look like? In the water I am even more flexible because it doesn't hurt and I can't hear the cracking/popping joints. I had a friend tell me I should find the oldest person in the class and just do as much as they do. It seemed like a good idea until the oldest lady was 90 and was clearly a "mover and shaker".

I have also been having some skin problems. I have been bruising more than normal, which honestly I didn't think possible. It is a very bad sign when you find a new bruise and wonder where that came from. Also, I have been having my skin tear and cut very easily. That is a slightly newer problem. I was taking a shower today and looked down at my legs... it looks like I have gone several rounds with a weed-whacker. I have also been dealing with my shoes eating my feet alive. My feet are swelling because of the pregnancy, but I now no longer have any shoes that fit without leaving new cut marks on me. I know my skin is fragile normally, but really this?

Stretch marks have started to be an issue, too. This isn't a vanity thing! I am covered with stretch marks already because of weight issues and the EDS making them more common - they are on my arms, hips, chest, and legs. Now, they are showing up in places that I have never had them like my waist line and around my back. I am mildly worried with all the foot, ankle, and leg swelling I am going to start getting stretch marks there. These new ones are really uncomfortable and kinda hurt. I have been using Curel Life's Stages Nurturing Comfort Moisture Cream -Pregnancy and Motherhood that AJ got me for Christmas, since it has collagen in it. I keep hoping it will help with the lack of collagen, but I don't think it is going to be that easy. I don't generally put much confidence in the hype of such lotions and potions, but the uncomfortableness has made me willing to try things. It isn't the normally itchy stretch skin that I am used to, but more of a ripping pain sensation.

It is really odd having skin that feels tight and painful. I think the oddness is of a lot of things is what gets me. I am used to bruising and having cuts, but not to this extreme. I am used to a certain amount of pain, but not to the level that it makes me just break down and retreat from the world because I physically can't handle it. I hate having to admit that I can't push through the pain, or I am having real trouble walking. It makes me feel weak when it takes me a couple of minutes to stand up and actually start walking. I cry when my knees bend backwards, my ankles fold in, or my hip pops and I almost fall down. It is scary. It is painful.

"My Time Is Getting Big" - Week 36

2011-04-22T10:03:00.002-04:00

When I was little I used to ask my mom if I could do something (like sit in the car not in a car seat), and I would get told I had to wait until I was bigger. I took this to mean my time would get bigger, not me. So, one day I asked my mom if "my time was big yet?" This then became a running joke in our family, that from then on I would have to wait until my time was big.

I have really been thinking about that lately in the context of Bug. It is starting to really hit me that this boy is going to be here sooner rather than later. His time is getting big and there is nothing I can do to stop it or slow it down. Which means it is time to start making some predictions.

This is a neat site I saw someone else use for their baby, and I thought it sounded like fun. I would love to hear what people think is going to happen with this baby. Either post your guess to the game site or post it as a comment. Feel free in the comments to also make guesses on his hair color, if you think he is going to have hair, and eye color.

Here is the current information as everything stands as of our weekly OB appointment, so that everyone has the same information:

Official Due Date: 5/19/2011

Gender: Boy

Rough Weight: 5.75lbs

I am already having some thinning and dilation going on. Nothing too extreme, but things are in progress. Though the OB doesn't expect Bug to stay in until the due date.

AJ and I have some dates we are rooting on for him to be born. We have no clue how accurate these are going to be, but as nerds we think these would be some really fun birthdates:

May 4th - as in "May the Fourth Be With You." - Molly's choice

May 5th - 5/5 just looks like a good number - AJ's choice

May 6th - as in 5+6=11 and it fits in with my family's birthday numbers - Molly's choice

May 7th - 5, 7, 11 are sequential prime numbers - AJ's choice

I am really rooting for May 4th because I think it would be fun to have some Star Wars themed birthday parties before Bug could officially protest against them. Then again, if he is anything like his parents he will wind up being fairly nerdy and thinking it is a great birthday.

Lonliness

2011-04-06T01:13:00.000-04:00

I have really been struggling with loneliness lately. This isn't a new thing for me, I have battled it off and on for years, but it is a weird thing. I am content to be by myself during the days and enjoy the solitude, but once night gets here it changes from solitude to loneliness.

Loneliness versus Solitude:

One way of thinking about loneliness is as a discrepancy between one's desired and achieved levels of social interaction,^[1] while solitude is simply the lack of contact with people. Loneliness is therefore a subjective experience; if a person thinks they are lonely, then they are lonely. People can be lonely while in solitude, or in the middle of a crowd. What makes a person lonely is the fact that they want more social interaction than what is currently available. A person can be the middle of a party and feel lonely due to not talking to enough people. Conversely, one can be alone and not feel lonely; even though there is no one around that person is not lonely because there is no desire for social interaction. There have also been suggestions that each person has their own sweet spot of social interaction. If a person gets too little or too much social interaction, this could lead to feelings of loneliness or over-stimulation.^[9]

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loneliness}

I hate the feeling of being lonely. It normally occurs after AJ has gone to bed, and as the rest of the world is starting to wind down for the evening. I check face.book and twi.tter a lot during the hours between AJ going to bed and me going to bed.

The odd part is I am not sure how much interaction I really want. I could turn the FB chat on or I could log into AIM and see who is there, but I never do. I just want some level of passive interactions - forums or reading what is going on in other people's lives. I love when my friends post blog post that late because it gives me something to read. It has also made me much more likely to comment on their blogs because I do want to be a part of their lives.

I know some of the desire for passive interaction is because I am so tired lately. I have a really limited energy supply, and I am trying to use it as best as I can. This combined with an erratic "sweet spot" for interaction (I am an introverted extrovert) makes things interesting. Some days a little interaction goes a long way and I am overwhelmed and others I can't get enough interaction.

I love weekends because this is rarely a problem then. I have AJ home and we are frequently doing things together and with other people. I also seem to have more energy on the weekends (which I haven't figured out that logic yet). The last two weekends I have had two wonderful baby showers. I was mildly worried that I was going to be overwhelmed, but I wasn't. Instead, I was left craving more social contact than I have wanted in a while. I am so thankful for the friends and family that I have. It makes me feel very loved, and that is something I crave all the time. If I could just find a way to bottle those wonderful feelings and be able to use them at night when the loneliness strikes I would be set.

I am very thankful that these rounds of loneliness haven't migrated into either the day light hours or into depression. I very rarely get lonely during the day, and I have wondered if that is because I can keep myself busy during the day or have things that get me out of the house (not that I always want to leave the house). I think having AJ come home during the earlier afternoons helps, too. In the past the loneliness has evolved into depression, and that wasn't fun. It took a lot of effort to break it, and honestly I don't have the energy to fight that kind of battle right now, so I am thankful it hasn't gotten that far.

Expectations

2011-03-30T11:46:00.000-04:00

ex·pect : verb \ik-ˈspekt\ :
3. to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child
4. a : to consider probable or certain
b : to consider reasonable, due, or necessary
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expected

I am learning with this pregnancy to have very low or no expectations. From what I have seen this is a fairly uncommon thing, but very early on my expectations were pretty crushed. I hate that some of my expectations never came to fruition, but they didn't and I am learning to live with them.

I had the expectation that I would get morning sickness, but not the crazy kind that I had.

I had the expectation that with morning sickness it would go away by week 12, but it didn't.

I had the expectation that I would get the cute baby bump, but I haven't at 33 weeks.

I had the expectation that I was going to get cute ultrasound pictures, but Bug hasn't cooperated.

I had the expectation that my body would be ok during all this, but it hasn't.

I had the expectation that I would be comfortable with myself and my body, that hasn't happened yet.

I had the expectation that I would feel totally thrilled about all this, but I haven't.

Not having these expectations met fairly early on has lead me to having to just go with a lot of things. In some ways this has been nice, but in others it has made things challenging for me.

On the nice side there isn't a lot of planning I can do for most things. I don't have a written birth plan, because it seems fairly futile at this point, but we have made a small list of preferences that we are hoping to have the OB agree to. I don't expect anything to be hard or easy, but it will be what it is supposed to be. I don't have any set expectations of when Bug is going to arrive. I still feel like he is going to be early, but I am not going to be surprised if he decides to come later. We don't have a name 100% nailed down, but we do have one 95% +/- 5% nailed down. There is something mildly relaxing mentally about not having any concrete expectations. Having a lack of expectations (public and to self) means we don't have to deal with as much guilt as we could have.

On the challenging side I want to plan. I want to have some control, but it isn't going to happen. I feel weird talking to people about things that we can't do anything about. I want to talk about somethings, but I don't want to have to explain the whole situation. This has lead to some painful and shameful moments. I don't like feeling flaky when I talk about breastfeeding or childbirth. I have started to avoid mentioning my thoughts on them. I am nervous and I want to talk about them, but I feel awkward about the whole thing.

I have struggled to not have expectations of the birth that aren't positive. I have struggled with keeping away negative afterbirth expectations. I have struggled with negative physical expectations - like my body not stopping the crazy pain it has now. I have struggled against negative expectations of exhaustion. I have really struggled with the negative expectations of my emotions.

Having struggled and fought with negative and unmet expectations has lead AJ and I both to have fairly low expectations from this point on. We have been preparing for the worst in almost all cases, especially the areas we can control. We have made all kinds of pre-made food, we have talked about where we stand on lots of issues, and we have worked to keep things simple. We have come to the conclusion that our motto until Bug gets home safe and sound is, "We are going to do whatever it takes to keep me and him safe and healthy." After we get home we have the motto of, "We will try it until it doesn't work for us, then we will try something else." This way we can work towards what we desire, but if it fails we know that we tried, and we are not allowing guilt about failing to enter into things.

There is no failing as long as all three of us are healthy, safe, and being loved.

31 Weeks

2011-03-17T12:21:00.000-04:00

Bug has hit 31 weeks! It is an odd number to celebrate, but I have been waiting to hear back on a couple of test and we finally got the results. So, it has been a fun couple of days of numbers.

Bug's age: 31 weeks

Bug's weight: ~3.3lbs

Bug's length: ~16 inches

Bug's renal pelvis dilation: 9 (up from 5), but still in the mild dilation catagory

Number of current anatomy scans: 3 + 1 that we still need to do
Good pictures to show from all of anatomy scans: 0

My glucose test results: 94

My weight gain: 17 lbs

My inches gained: ~17

Times I have been told "Oh, I just thought you were fat.": 2

Times I have been told it is a girl based on how carrying: 1

Pediatricians interviewed: 2

Possible pediatrician choices: 1

Pediatricians left to interview: 1

Anesthesia classes taken: 1

Possibility of wanting an epidural now: REALLY low

Week in Hypnobabies: 4

Times Hypnobabies calming techniques have already worked: 3

Times Hypnobabies pain relief techniques have already worked: 1

It has been fun getting some of the numbers, but others not so much. I know we are starting to enter the home stretch now. I am considering starting a pool on when people think Bug might actually come. I know it seems early to think about that, but I am having this really strong feeling this little boy isn't going to stay in for the full 40 weeks. It isn't a bad feeling I am having, just a strong one. I personally didn't stay in anywhere close to 40 weeks, and I think AJ was a bit early (not by nearly as much though). I know this shouldn't be a predictor, but I still can't help thinking about it. I also know that he will come when he is ready to, and nothing I can really do will make that faster or slower.

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...

2011-03-15T02:48:00.000-04:00

"To sleep, perchance to dream-ay, there's the rub." - Hamlet (III, i, 65-68)

Sleep has been a lacking commodity in my world for the last week or so. I have been trying really hard to get sleep, but it hasn't wanted to happen. The joint pain has been really bad and I just can't fall asleep. I wish I could blame it on Bug, but honestly it isn't really a baby problem. He isn't that wiggly at night, which I am thankful for because it means that when I do fall asleep I am not be awoken by kicks in the stomach or lungs.

I have never been a great sleeper, but this last week has been horrible! The OB gave me something to try to help me sleep and it has about a 50/50 chance of working, the same as Tylenol PM. So, I have been alternating which one I try at night. Some nights they help me fall asleep, but I never stay asleep longer than three hours. The time change yesterday didn't help anything either! It means that my body is protesting me trying to go to bed at a "normal" hour. Going to bed when my body says to has lead to me staying in bed way later than I mentally desire.

The last couple of days I have had a hard time dragging myself out of bed by 11:00 AM. This isn't normal for me at all, and it is really bugging me. The really bad part is that I am not sleeping in that late, I am just laying there. I have found that my joints don't hurt as bad in the morning when I am laying in bed, but as soon as I get up and start moving around on them they start getting painful again. I enjoy those couple of hours of a mild "twilight" state that things aren't hurting yet.

I haven't been able to get any good naps in either. I just kind of drift, or if I do fall asleep it has been for really short periods of time. I am used to sleeping for about 90 minutes in a nap time and not waking up until the full time is over. Lately, I have been sleeping for about 15 minutes and waking up and then fighting to go back to sleep. I know most people consider 15 minutes a nap, but sleeping for that short of time makes me really groggy and grouchy. I need a full sleep cycle to reset myself.

I know I need to be getting all the sleep and rest that I can before Bug makes his way into the world, but it hasn't been an easy task lately. I have been really jealous of AJ's ability to just crash and be out like a light. He makes it look so easy. He has been really understanding of the lack of sleep though, and has put up with me puttering around the bedroom at all hours of the night. Last night I was getting back in bed about the time his alarm was going off, and it was one of the only times he has sort of woken up.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get some good sleep? Keep in mind I have already tried all the standard options - calming down, no tv, reading a dull book, no caffeine, calming music, a snack...

Hypermobility and Pregnancy

2011-02-25T14:00:00.002-05:00


I am starting to think Elastigirl has nothing on me!

There are certain things I expected during pregnancy - weight gain, aches, tiredness, and the normal pregnancy things. I didn't expect my joints to go nuts! I thought I was getting a reprieve from the joint pain because the RA is in remission during pregnancy (that alone calls for a happy dance!). Well, I was wrong. Enter the hypermobility.

Officially it is called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type 3 (EDS-3). Basically, it is a biglong name to say that under normal circumstances my joints are very loose. "Hypermobility just means that you can move some or all your joints more than most people can."

I have know my whole life my joints were very flexible. I always did great on the flexibility parts of the PE classes - which confused the teachers because I am not an athletic person at all, but I could beat most of the other kids scores on the "sit and reach" box. I could almost fold in half as long as I didn't let my knees bend backwards on me and kept them flat. I also knew I had weird knees because other kids would make fun of mine. They have always bent slightly backwards unless I am paying attention to get them to stop at the normal mid-line point. My ankles have always been a source of amusement for me because they can fold flat on the floor if I am sitting on the ground, but they are very prone to breaks and sprains, too.

Honestly, I never realized these traits were so weird because my mom has them too (and I recently found out my dad has some of them, just not as many and as crazy). It wasn't until I went to the rheumatologist and he said something about it (as part of the RA craziness), and my niece was diagnosed with it that I started looking into it.

The way they diagnose hypermobility is through the Beighton score. I will honestly admit, I have no clue what score my rheumatologist gave me, but considering I can do almost everything on this chart, I would say it is pretty high. It is one point for each trait you have on each side of the body, with a total of 9 points possible. You also have to meet a set of criteria and there are various combination of them.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
Major Criteria
A Beighton score of 4/9 or greater (either currently or historically)

Arthralgia for longer than 3 months in 4 or more joints

Minor Criteria
A Beighton score of 1, 2 or 3/9 (0, 1, 2 or 3 if aged 50+)

Arthralgia (> 3 months) in one to three joints or back pain (> 3 months), spondylosis, spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis.

Dislocation/subluxation in more than one joint, or in one joint on more than one occasion.

Soft tissue rheumatism. > 3 lesions (e.g. epicondylitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis).

Marfanoid habitus (tall, slim, span/height ratio >1.03, upper: lower segment ratio less than 0.89, arachnodactily [positive Steinberg/wrist signs].

Abnormal skin: striae, hyperextensibility, thin skin, papyraceous scarring.

Eye signs: drooping eyelids or myopia or antimongoloid slant.

Varicose veins or hernia or uterine/rectal prolapse.

The BJHS is diagnosed in the presence two major criteria, or one major and two minor criteria, or four minor criteria. Two minor criteria will suffice where there is an unequivocally affected first-degree relative.

One of the criteria is ruptured spinal disk (hernia), so I have wondered if the hypermobility didn't contribute to some of that. Along with all the sprained ankles and wrist problems, too. Looking at the signs and symptoms is a fun list, too:

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Highly flexible fingers and toes

Loose, unstable joints that are prone to: sprain, dislocation, subluxation (partial dislocation) and hyperextension (double jointedness)

Flat feet

Joint pain without inflammation

Fatigue, which can be debilitating

High and narrow palate, resulting in dental crowding

Vulnerability to chest and sinus infections

Easy bruising

Fragile blood vessels resulting from cystic medial necrosis with tendency towards aneurysm (even abdominal aortic aneurysm)

Velvety-smooth skin which may be stretchy and is often translucent, with blue veins clearly visible on limbs and particularly in the hands

Abnormal wound healing and scar formation (scars may appear like cigarette burns)

Low muscle tone and Muscle weakness

Early onset of osteoarthritis

Cardiac effects: Dysautonomia typically accompanied by Valvular heart disease (such as mitral valve prolapse, which creates an increased risk for infective endocarditis during surgery, as well as possibly progressing to a life-threatening degree of severity of the prognosis of mitral valve prolapse)

Unexplained "pins and needles" or numbness in extremities

Difficulty regulating own body temperature, resulting in a vulnerability to the cold and heat. Many patients suffer fatigue and dizziness when exposed to hot conditions, eg. having to sit outside on a hot day

Severe mouth ulcers. Many patients complain of having several mouth ulcers at any one time. This is believed to be due to tissue fragility and vulnerability to infection

Food allergies and intolerances are very common

Sensitivity to medications. One of the cruelest aspects of EDS is that many patients experience bad reactions to medications, such as pain killers, making it very difficult to find safe, effective pain management^{[citation needed]}

Migraines and headaches

Fibromyalgia symptoms: Myalgia and arthralgia

LESS COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Osteopenia (low bone density)

Talipes equinovarus (club foot), especially in the Vascular type

Deformities of the spine, such as: Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)

Functional bowel disorders (functional gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome)

Nerve compression disorders (carpal tunnel syndrome, acroparesthesia, neuropathy)

Vascular skin conditions: Raynaud's phenomenon, Livedo reticularis

Blue sclera

Otosclerosis (hearing loss)

Premature rupture of membranes during pregnancy

Infants with hypermobile joints often appear to have weak muscle tone (hypotonia), which can delay the development of motor skills such as sitting, standing, and walking

Arterial/intestinal/uterine fragility or rupture

Swan neck deformity of the fingers

Over Thanksgiving last year we were talking about it at AJ's parent's house and I said something about my thumb will bend to touch my wrist, couldn't they do the same? None of them could. Apparently, that was an abnormal thing. AJ had never seen me do that and his eyes got huge. Now, I am not allowed to do it in front of him because it freaks him out. He is scared I am going to really hurt something by doing it, but it doesn't hurt to do it. It only hurts if I was to leave it like that and have the muscles get tight from staying in that position.

That is where the pregnancy problems come in. With the pregnancy hormones (relaxin) making everything more stretchy the muscles are being forced to accommodate the joints going crazy. I had an appointment two weeks ago with the rheumatologist and talked about all this. I told him my joints were really floppy. He nodded, examined me, and then chuckled. He said they were really loose and the would probably get a bit more so as things keep going. Oh, yay! He also found it interesting that at 6.5 months pregnant I can still lay my hands flat on the floor standing up because my hips and spine are that loose. There isn't anything we can do about it but splint the ones that are really painful - which means I am sleeping in wrist brace at night to keep me from contorting my hands into unusable claws when I wake up.

I have learned some very interesting things to keep my eye on though for the rest of the pregnancy. The Hypermobility Syndrome Association has a fun sheet just on pregnancy:

Joint and spinal pains may increase during the course of the pregnancy.

There is a tendency to premature rupture of the membranes and thus of premature labour and delivery.

There is a tendency to rapid labour.

There is an apparent resistance to the effects of local anaesthetics is seen in about two thirds of patients and can cause problems for the unwary during epidural anaesthesia or infiltration for repair of a tear of episiotomy.

Healing of tear or episiotomy may be impaired and/or prolonged and surgical technique may need to be modified accordingly.

She may find lactation and care of the newborn baby more taxing than most.

Pelvic floor problems (uterine prolapse etc) may occur in later life so that the practice of post-natal exercises is particularly important.

Since JHS follows a dominant pattern of inheritance there is a 50% chance that any offspring will carry the gene, although this does not mean that he/she will necessary develop symptoms of tissue laxity subsequently.

I am worried about the premature labor aspect. I was born early and luckily, I didn't have any crazy health problems (the kind that put a baby in the NICU), but I was still about six weeks early (and I was a very early surprise to the point that my parents didn't have a crib, diapers, or anything ready). We are praying Bug stays in until he is already to come out on his own. I am also worried about the epidural. I am trying to prepare myself not to have one by using Hypnobabies birthing. Though, they say not to take the anesthesia class I think we are still going to because I want to know how it will work with the ruptured disk (the ones that are ruptured are the ones the normally put the epidural into), the fact that pain killers don't work on me very well at all, and I just want to know how the heck they work.

I have read several sites and forums about breastfeeding and EDS-3. I wish I had booked marked them, but it seems to be a consensus that it is going to be a bit more difficult. Great. Not exactly what I wanted to hear on top of the RA very probably making its ugly return. I am working on surrounding myself with other moms who are breastfeeding and working on staying very positive about the whole thing. I even got the track from Hypnobabies about Breastfeeding Success. Like everything else with this pregnancy, I am not making any firm commitments on how things are going to go. I am working on setting myself up for a successful birthing and breastfeeding, but I am still going to have to give in if my body says, "Hey, this just isn't working right."

I have had to be really careful about certain things lately. I can't put my hands at certain angles or they get really stiff. My knees are going further back than they normally do and it is causing pain in the knees, hips, and back. If you see me looking like I am about to topple over it is because my knees and hips aren't locking in place, frustrating, but normal. It has also meant that walking really hurts and is exhausting! Some days it is all I can do to get around. I am very thankful that AJ is so supportive in all of this because he really helps me get around.

I am also really really tired lately. I am not sleeping well because things hurt, but not sleeping makes them hurt more. It is a fairly vicious cycle, but luckily my OB is really working with me and trying to find something to help me sleep or stay asleep. I have been listening to a Hypnobabies track for sleep and even made a playlist from Baby Einstein: Lullaby Classics. These things help to get me asleep, but I can't stay asleep.

EDS-3 isn't that uncommon. The statistic I have seen is that 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 people have it. I just feel like there isn't much known about it. Also, all the really informative sites seem to be out of the UK. I wish there was more information, but because it isn't a treatable condition with some very expensive drugs it seems to be mostly ignored. I guess this post has two purposes : education and to remind me what will probably happen during any future pregnancies.

I am very thankful for this pregnancy and for the doctors who have been working with me during it. It is very easy to want to whine and complain about things going on that aren't fair, but these things are part of life. I am thankful that things have been as easy as they have been because they could have been a lot worse - RA flares and wobbly joints on top of the crazy 20 weeks of severe morning sickness. Pain I am learning to handle, or at least deal with.

I know there is a very high likelihood that Bug is going to inherit the hypermobility (hopefully though not to the extreme), and I want to know as much as I can on what to look out for. I will probably be a little fanatical about having him checked for different parts of it just so we know, especially if he starts having certain symptoms on the main list.

What is Our Baby Bug?

2011-02-23T14:30:00.000-05:00

It looks like we are in for lots of trains, planes,

trucks, robots, rockets, dirt and bugs!

AJ and I are both totally excited about this news! I think our families are just as excited! It is the first grandson on AJ's side and the first grandbaby on my side. We have had fun trying to figure out just how nerdy we can make this little boy before he is even here.

We do have a name picked out. We are 95% +/- 5% confident about the name (have I mentioned I am married to an engineer?), and yes, this is how I have been telling people. I am not publishing the name, but we are freely telling people face to face. As long as they understand we reserve all rights to change it if he gets here and it just isn't who he is. We are still calling him "Bug" most of the time when we talk about him. It takes me by surprise when someone else who knows his name uses it. I have this double-take moment of "Wait, who is that, oh yeah..."

I am thankful we gravitated towards more gender neutral things when we were planning! It did take two anatomy scans to get this information, but we finally got it. He already has a stubborn little personality. It is funny when we have to go to get a check up for him. He wants nothing to do with the doppler or ultrasound wand, and moves as far as possible from it. At 27ish weeks (I can't keep track of where we are to save my life) he is fairly wiggly. He has already kicked AJ in the head which cracked me up! AJ was trying to see if he could hear him because the baby book said at this point we might be able to, but Bug wasn't thrilled about Daddy's big head pushing on his space and he kicked him right in the cheek.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:51:00.000-05:00

Universal's Islands of Adventure 2/1/07

AJ,

Thank you for sharing this roller coaster of an adventure with me. You are the best!

I love you!

-Molly

The Bible in 90 Days Challenge - Week 6 - Oh, the Poetry

2011-02-14T11:29:00.000-05:00

This picture really struck me as I was looking for something to sum up this week's readings. It is at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and he is reading the Psalms. I think it struck a chord with all that is going on in the world, God is in and above it all. In some weird way his picture reminds me of how many people are doing the same thing all over the world. That as I am struggling to get through Job and the Psalms, there are other people reading the same things and fighting their own fights with these books.

I have such a hard time reading poetry. It isn't something I enjoy on any level, and I really try not to do it often. I think this week has been a real struggle for me because of that. To get through Job I switch from using my Kindle version of the ESV to Bible Gateway's NLT. I hate that I had to do that, but I knew if I didn't cut myself that slack then I was much more likely to just give up or just skip it. Neither is a legitimate option, but I wrestled with both for a few days before I made the switch.

Then came the Psalms. Oh, good grief! 150! Really!!! I questioned if I was going to make it through them. Then I decided that I just couldn't make it through them. So, since we went out of town this weekend, I let myself not be as bothered with them. I was willfully deciding I didn't want to read the Psalms. Well, that didn't work out so great for me. Because I decided I was going to make it through them, but now I was behind - 80 Psalms behind.

I decided to take small chunks at a time. It helped, some. But, as I read more of them I started hearing the lyrics to all kinds of songs in them. I would read a verse and a song would pop into my head. That is when it started to become more enjoyable. I started reading them looking for lyrics to songs I knew. That helped a bunch more. I even found the passage that my priest in Gainesville says before every sermon, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14 That was a neat thing to find for me!

I am still technically behind as of right now because I need to read today's Psalms, but I have already spent some time playing catch up this morning. I am going to do another chunk when I stop for lunch and then later this afternoon. I just really wanted to get this post done and link up so that I wouldn't forget or Mom's Toolbox close the posting before I got to it. Getting behind isn't something I am proud of, but I know I do it to myself by not sticking with the commitment I made. I am very thankful that there is grace in all of this and I do have the ability to catch back up. I encourage anyone reading along to have faith and stick to this journey!

The Bible in 90 Days Challenge - Week 5 - Not Job!

2011-02-07T10:21:00.000-05:00

Wow! This challenge is going a lot faster than I thought. I passed the 30 day point this last week, and it is neat to know that I am a third of the way through the Bible. I am really glad to be out of the genealogy and histories from last week. Though, this week we started Job. I know this book serves a purpose, but I really don't like reading it. I know a big part of that dislike is because it is in poetry form and that is not my favorite reading material. So, I am going to press through it, but mildly grumble about it until I am done with it (how very Job-like).

On a happy note - I read Esther! I LOVE this book!!!! It is one of my favorites and I was surprised it was in today's readings. I wasn't really thinking when I saw I was supposed to read the end of Nehemiah into Job, and I just forgot this great book was tucked in there. I even went back to check the reading list to make sure I was supposed to read it today. Yay!

Reading Ester today makes me want to watch "One Night with the King" or "VeggieTales - Esther, The Girl Who Became Queen [VHS]" . I have very happy memories of both these versions. I am not sure why this book stands out so much to me, but it does. I think some of it is just her faith to stand up for what is right against all odds, and I really want to emulate that characteristic. I also love when her uncle gives her this response "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b) It is a long the same lines as Spiderman's "With great power comes great responsibility." Both of those lines are ones that echo deep in my heart.

I hope this week has been an enjoyable one for those who are keeping up with this challenge, and if you aren't a part of the 90 day challenge I still encourage you to jump in with us! You can do it! You can find out more on Mom's Toolbox.

But, if you are looking for some other reading plan to dive into a make a habit of check out YouVersion. My sister-in-law, Ashley, wrote about it here. I looked at the plans for reading they have and there are a lot to chose from. So, if you aren't doing a daily plan already, I really encourage you to check YouVersion out and pick a plan. They have some that are only 30 days, so nothing to crazy intense. Give it a whirl, you might be surprised what you discover!