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Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
3 weeks
Ms. Katelyn is 3 weeks old! She is gaining weight and no longer that small, skinny newborn tat she was. It is amazing how much she has grown in 3 weeks. New diaper size (She is using cloth now, or size 1 disposable) and many newborn clothes don't fit anymore!
Katelyn still sleeps a lot. Most nights, she sleeps pretty well. She wakes up about every 3 hours to sleep at night. SHe had two nights (Monday and Tuesday nights) where she got super fussy from like 10:30 - 1:30. Hard crying, arching back, not very consolable. Grandma watched her during this time while I got some sleep. Once she finally went to sleep, though, she did well. Last night she started to get that way but we were able to calm her down and she slept well. I have been letting her sleep with me alot, although I am increasing the time she is sleeping in the pack n play. The hard part is that Geoffrey is still in the next bedroom and I dont want him to wake up so I tend to grab Kate at the slightest noise (ok, not that bad, but I don't give her a chance to settle, for sure.) Also, I am so tired and it is just easier. She is still so young though so i am not too worried about setting up bad habits yet. And I kind of like it.
I know she is eating because she is putting on weight and pooping a lot. She doesn't seem to nurse as long as Geoff did, but I know I have a lot more milk and I think I let down a lot more than I did with Geoffrey. She will also take a bottle, which is nice.
She doesn't mind tummy time and will do a good 10 minutes before getting frustrated.
We went to Atlantis park this morning for a little outside time!
She LOVES spending time with Grandma Patty and with Daddy!
Katelyn still sleeps a lot. Most nights, she sleeps pretty well. She wakes up about every 3 hours to sleep at night. SHe had two nights (Monday and Tuesday nights) where she got super fussy from like 10:30 - 1:30. Hard crying, arching back, not very consolable. Grandma watched her during this time while I got some sleep. Once she finally went to sleep, though, she did well. Last night she started to get that way but we were able to calm her down and she slept well. I have been letting her sleep with me alot, although I am increasing the time she is sleeping in the pack n play. The hard part is that Geoffrey is still in the next bedroom and I dont want him to wake up so I tend to grab Kate at the slightest noise (ok, not that bad, but I don't give her a chance to settle, for sure.) Also, I am so tired and it is just easier. She is still so young though so i am not too worried about setting up bad habits yet. And I kind of like it.
I know she is eating because she is putting on weight and pooping a lot. She doesn't seem to nurse as long as Geoff did, but I know I have a lot more milk and I think I let down a lot more than I did with Geoffrey. She will also take a bottle, which is nice.
She doesn't mind tummy time and will do a good 10 minutes before getting frustrated.
We went to Atlantis park this morning for a little outside time!
She LOVES spending time with Grandma Patty and with Daddy!
Friday, January 20, 2012
This morning
Geoff and I went down stairs. After a few minutes, he asked me to bring Katelyn down, too. Once we were settled, I went to get Katelyn (who is still adapting to having awake periods during the day - last night, she was awake from 11 - 2!) I put Katelyn in her swing (she is still sleeping, but I am trying to get her to adjust to daytime noise and activity).
Geoffrey went over to the swing and started gently rocking it, and he sang "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" quietly to her.
As if my heart could melt anymore, he came over to me and said, "I love baby Katelyn."
I love my kidS!
Geoffrey went over to the swing and started gently rocking it, and he sang "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" quietly to her.
As if my heart could melt anymore, he came over to me and said, "I love baby Katelyn."
I love my kidS!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
umbilical cord
Oh - Katelyn's cord came off on Wednesday night right around 11- 12 at night - literally when she was about a week old.
10 days old
Katelyn is growing already. It is crazy. She has spent the first few nights sleeping in bed with me. Last night, I put her in the pack n play bassinet with a pillow on one side and a rolled up blanket on the other and she slept most of the night in the pack n play, which was nice because I could cuddle with Grant, which I needed.
I am feeling a touch of the baby blues. I feel useless and gloomy and needy. I feel incapable. I don't know how i would be able to do this without all of the help I am getting. I am terrified of going back to work because I don't know how I will be able to juggle it all. I don't know how Grant is so calm about everything. I feel like I am getting decent sleep, but I am still so tired - and I don't know how I am going to manage when I have to get up at 6 for work. I am in awe of how amazing Grant is and how much he is getting done - around our house, in Geoffrey's room, helping my brother and sister with their move - and I feel like I don't deserve someone so amazing. I feel guilty because I am either letting Geoff get away with things or I get mad at him and then feel guilty about it. Sigh. I could go on and on.
Anyways - doc called yesterday and said Kate's bilirubin level was down to 11 something. She wants it checked again on Sunday at which time she thinks we will be able to discontinue the phototherapy.
I am feeling a touch of the baby blues. I feel useless and gloomy and needy. I feel incapable. I don't know how i would be able to do this without all of the help I am getting. I am terrified of going back to work because I don't know how I will be able to juggle it all. I don't know how Grant is so calm about everything. I feel like I am getting decent sleep, but I am still so tired - and I don't know how I am going to manage when I have to get up at 6 for work. I am in awe of how amazing Grant is and how much he is getting done - around our house, in Geoffrey's room, helping my brother and sister with their move - and I feel like I don't deserve someone so amazing. I feel guilty because I am either letting Geoff get away with things or I get mad at him and then feel guilty about it. Sigh. I could go on and on.
Anyways - doc called yesterday and said Kate's bilirubin level was down to 11 something. She wants it checked again on Sunday at which time she thinks we will be able to discontinue the phototherapy.
Geoffrey Stuff / Big Brother
A couple of cute things Geoff says - Cacuzzi for jacuzzi, and Pat-tren for pattern.
He has become a candy fiend, and he has become skilled at sneaking it himself. For example, one night after we put him to bed, he snuck down to the Christmas Tree, got a candy cane, and brough it back to his bed to eat it. Another time, he dragged a chair over to the counter, stacked the stool on top of the chair, and used it to try to reach the lollipops in the top basket.
Geoff is an awesome big brother so far. He likes pointing at Katelyn's sign and saying "Welcome Home Katelyn." He likes to kiss her and smell her and say, "She smells like baby." He thinks this is funny. He likes to hold her, too. When she cries he says "Do babies cry a lot?" He really has taken to her well.
He has been sleeping with us every night though - thats when he seems to need the most reassurance. He mostly needs the reassurance from me - he wants extra cuddles. He had a day where he was extra moody - but I know he isn't sleeping well or long enough - it is taking forever for him to go down for naps and bed.
But he did really well at preschool this week and mostly he has been very charming. He is so lucky to have Uncle Danny and Grandma around. I love him so much!
He has become a candy fiend, and he has become skilled at sneaking it himself. For example, one night after we put him to bed, he snuck down to the Christmas Tree, got a candy cane, and brough it back to his bed to eat it. Another time, he dragged a chair over to the counter, stacked the stool on top of the chair, and used it to try to reach the lollipops in the top basket.
Geoff is an awesome big brother so far. He likes pointing at Katelyn's sign and saying "Welcome Home Katelyn." He likes to kiss her and smell her and say, "She smells like baby." He thinks this is funny. He likes to hold her, too. When she cries he says "Do babies cry a lot?" He really has taken to her well.
He has been sleeping with us every night though - thats when he seems to need the most reassurance. He mostly needs the reassurance from me - he wants extra cuddles. He had a day where he was extra moody - but I know he isn't sleeping well or long enough - it is taking forever for him to go down for naps and bed.
But he did really well at preschool this week and mostly he has been very charming. He is so lucky to have Uncle Danny and Grandma around. I love him so much!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Coming Home, The first week.
We finally arrived home on Friday around 1:00. Our house looked awesome - Tammy outdid herself again, with Mom, Bobby, Danny, and Geoffrey's help! The house was festooned with pink and purple streamers, balloons, and decorations. Such a warm welcome home!
Geoffrey was so sweet with Katelyn. When she cries, he says "shhh, its ok." He was eager to hold her, and he even shared one of his blankets with her. He likes to lean over and smell her and say, "she smells like baby!"
Katelyn is a big time sleeper - she pretty much wakes up to eat, although she is moving towards having 2 or 3 wakeful periods a day where she looks around with her big blue eyes.
Jaundice:
On Saturday, we went to Hoag outpatient lab and had a bilirubin test done. The doctor called and said that her level shot upto 16 (it was 10 the day before), so she ordered a photo therapy light delivered to our house. It didn't arrive until about 10 PM. We kept it on her all that first night, and her levels dropped to 14 on Sunday. We didn;t use it as much - mostly during a few of her day time naps - but it isn't comfortable and it makes her skin hot so we don't use it as much as we probably should. On Tuesday, her levels dropped to 13, so we have tried to use the light a little more often since then, as well as keep her in a sunny place when possible. We have another test today.
Doctor:
Katelyn had a well visit on Monday. Dr. Kasamatsu said she was very healthy and looked great, and since we were 2nd time parents, she was comfortable with Katelyn not coming back until 2 months. I was happy to hear that but nervous, too. Of course, we CAN go to other well visits, we just don't have to. She weighted in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces, so she gained her birth weight back plus 4 ounces.
Eating / Pooping
KAtelyn is a pooping champ - she poops all the time, sometimes several times in succession. It has become a running joke every time we change her that she's going to poop right away again. She is sort of a lazy nurser, she sleeps a lot in between, but since she is gaining weight and pooping I'm not too worried. She is a cluster feeder - she eats a lot during the day and les at night, which is nice - she already sleeps nice long stretches (3 hours) at night.
Sleeping -
She has been sleeping mostly in bed with me. I know, I know. I am trying to get her to sleep for longer periods in her pack n play / bassinet, but mostly this has been working for now and most nights I am getting decent sleep. Geofffrey has been joining us in bed every night, too, so it has certainly been crowded!
Geoffrey -
Geoff is going through everything we should expect. He is excited and happy to have a cute little baby, but he has periods where he gets sad, especially at night time, and sometimes acts up a little bit to get attention. He is mostly needy with me - he wants lots of mommy attention and has been clingy with me at times. Also, I know he is tired - he doesn't sleep as well when he is in bed with us and the last few days he has been very challenging to get down to bed and naps. Two nights ago he bumped his head, hard, against the dresser, so he stayed up an extra half hour so we could ice his bruised head. (This was over an hour past his bed time in the first place.) Last night, he kept getting out of bed and at one point, he said, "Oh, I bumped my head," (pronounced hey-ad) to try to stay up later. He likes to be the big boy and the big brother.
Geoffrey was so sweet with Katelyn. When she cries, he says "shhh, its ok." He was eager to hold her, and he even shared one of his blankets with her. He likes to lean over and smell her and say, "she smells like baby!"
Katelyn is a big time sleeper - she pretty much wakes up to eat, although she is moving towards having 2 or 3 wakeful periods a day where she looks around with her big blue eyes.
Jaundice:
On Saturday, we went to Hoag outpatient lab and had a bilirubin test done. The doctor called and said that her level shot upto 16 (it was 10 the day before), so she ordered a photo therapy light delivered to our house. It didn't arrive until about 10 PM. We kept it on her all that first night, and her levels dropped to 14 on Sunday. We didn;t use it as much - mostly during a few of her day time naps - but it isn't comfortable and it makes her skin hot so we don't use it as much as we probably should. On Tuesday, her levels dropped to 13, so we have tried to use the light a little more often since then, as well as keep her in a sunny place when possible. We have another test today.
Doctor:
Katelyn had a well visit on Monday. Dr. Kasamatsu said she was very healthy and looked great, and since we were 2nd time parents, she was comfortable with Katelyn not coming back until 2 months. I was happy to hear that but nervous, too. Of course, we CAN go to other well visits, we just don't have to. She weighted in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces, so she gained her birth weight back plus 4 ounces.
Eating / Pooping
KAtelyn is a pooping champ - she poops all the time, sometimes several times in succession. It has become a running joke every time we change her that she's going to poop right away again. She is sort of a lazy nurser, she sleeps a lot in between, but since she is gaining weight and pooping I'm not too worried. She is a cluster feeder - she eats a lot during the day and les at night, which is nice - she already sleeps nice long stretches (3 hours) at night.
Sleeping -
She has been sleeping mostly in bed with me. I know, I know. I am trying to get her to sleep for longer periods in her pack n play / bassinet, but mostly this has been working for now and most nights I am getting decent sleep. Geofffrey has been joining us in bed every night, too, so it has certainly been crowded!
Geoffrey -
Geoff is going through everything we should expect. He is excited and happy to have a cute little baby, but he has periods where he gets sad, especially at night time, and sometimes acts up a little bit to get attention. He is mostly needy with me - he wants lots of mommy attention and has been clingy with me at times. Also, I know he is tired - he doesn't sleep as well when he is in bed with us and the last few days he has been very challenging to get down to bed and naps. Two nights ago he bumped his head, hard, against the dresser, so he stayed up an extra half hour so we could ice his bruised head. (This was over an hour past his bed time in the first place.) Last night, he kept getting out of bed and at one point, he said, "Oh, I bumped my head," (pronounced hey-ad) to try to stay up later. He likes to be the big boy and the big brother.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Hospital
Katelyn was born at 11:20 PM which means that counted as my first of two nights in the hospital. While Grant and I spent time in the recovery room, we finalized Katelyn's name and spelling. Katelyn started nursing and did pretty well, although her little mouth seemed so small! I learned quickly that she was a bit of a sleepy nurser. She tended to nurse only a little bit at a time before falling asleep.
We moved upstairs at around 1:30 AM. Our room was awesome - it faced the mountains, and it was huge -almost the size of an L&D room. At around 5:00, they came in and gave Katelyn a bath and did her foot prints. Grant stayed until about 6 AM, and then headed home, and Mom came in at about 7:00.
A lactation nurse came up to make sure everything was going well. She was happy with Katelyn's latch and said I had enough colostrum to feed the ward - ha ha! Dr. Pepik came by and pronounced Katelyn healthy. She mentioned a small dimple on KAtelyns back that she said we didn;t need to worry about. Also, Dr. Feldman happened to be doing one of his four times a month shifts that day and he came by to see me! What an awesome surprise!
The day was pretty calm - Donna, Gary, Tammy, Dad, and Delaine came by to visit. My favorite part was when Grant and Geoffrey came and Geoff got to meet Katelyn. Geoffrey was so excited to see me, and so gentle with Katelyn. He gave her some kisses, and he was very excited to get his big brother presents (he saw it sitting under Katelyn's bassinet). He kept calling the hospital "the hotel," like he did when I was on bed rest. He mostly wanted to see me and make sure I was ok.
Grant came back again for our celebratory dinner, which we enjoyed while dad and Delaine held Katelyn. Then they left and Mom and Bobby came in for the next shift. They watched Katelyn so I could get some sleep. I took a shower around 1:30 and then Mom and Bobby went home.
The nurse came by at one point and took Katelyn to the nursery to finish the hearing test (they had trie earlier in the day but couldn't get a reading on one of the ears) and to do the heal prick / swab test.
In the morning, Grant came back at around 7:30 to eat breakfast and help me get ready to go. Dr. Hargrove came in to do my final check and clear me. Next, Dr. Kasamatsu came in to check Katelyn, and she and the nurse decided that, just to be safe, we should get an ultrasound on the dimple on Katelyn's back just to be sure it was closed and didn't go all the way to her spinal cord (which was, apparently, the concern and whe Dr. Pepik had mentioned it at all.) So we had to wait for our turn at the ultrasound which delayed our leaving. In the meantime, they told us Katelyn's jaundice level was at a 10, but they wanted to see what it was the next day (how fast is rose). Also, they weighed her and she weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces.
Grant went with Katelyn to get her ultrasound while I took another little nap. Everything looked good and we were officially discharged!
We moved upstairs at around 1:30 AM. Our room was awesome - it faced the mountains, and it was huge -almost the size of an L&D room. At around 5:00, they came in and gave Katelyn a bath and did her foot prints. Grant stayed until about 6 AM, and then headed home, and Mom came in at about 7:00.
A lactation nurse came up to make sure everything was going well. She was happy with Katelyn's latch and said I had enough colostrum to feed the ward - ha ha! Dr. Pepik came by and pronounced Katelyn healthy. She mentioned a small dimple on KAtelyns back that she said we didn;t need to worry about. Also, Dr. Feldman happened to be doing one of his four times a month shifts that day and he came by to see me! What an awesome surprise!
The day was pretty calm - Donna, Gary, Tammy, Dad, and Delaine came by to visit. My favorite part was when Grant and Geoffrey came and Geoff got to meet Katelyn. Geoffrey was so excited to see me, and so gentle with Katelyn. He gave her some kisses, and he was very excited to get his big brother presents (he saw it sitting under Katelyn's bassinet). He kept calling the hospital "the hotel," like he did when I was on bed rest. He mostly wanted to see me and make sure I was ok.
Grant came back again for our celebratory dinner, which we enjoyed while dad and Delaine held Katelyn. Then they left and Mom and Bobby came in for the next shift. They watched Katelyn so I could get some sleep. I took a shower around 1:30 and then Mom and Bobby went home.
The nurse came by at one point and took Katelyn to the nursery to finish the hearing test (they had trie earlier in the day but couldn't get a reading on one of the ears) and to do the heal prick / swab test.
In the morning, Grant came back at around 7:30 to eat breakfast and help me get ready to go. Dr. Hargrove came in to do my final check and clear me. Next, Dr. Kasamatsu came in to check Katelyn, and she and the nurse decided that, just to be safe, we should get an ultrasound on the dimple on Katelyn's back just to be sure it was closed and didn't go all the way to her spinal cord (which was, apparently, the concern and whe Dr. Pepik had mentioned it at all.) So we had to wait for our turn at the ultrasound which delayed our leaving. In the meantime, they told us Katelyn's jaundice level was at a 10, but they wanted to see what it was the next day (how fast is rose). Also, they weighed her and she weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces.
Grant went with Katelyn to get her ultrasound while I took another little nap. Everything looked good and we were officially discharged!
January 4 ~ Labor and Delivery ~ Welcome, Katelyn!
Wednesday, January 4th. Our day started normally - Grant and I took Geoffrey to preschool and I felt fine, good in fact - no sign of what was going to happen this very day!
Around 2, I got very tired - I just wanted to take a nap - so I tried to take a nap with Geoffrey, although he was more interested in playing than napping. I stayed in bed until about 5:30, at which point I got up and realized I was feeling a little weird.
I didn't think it was contractions - but my lower back was hurting - not an uncommon symptom as of late. But still, every once in a while it seemed more intense. After while, I started timing the more intense pain - at this point, I think I realized that maybe they were contractions. They were irregular, but coming on average every 10 - 12 minutes. I was supposed to call the doctor when they came regularly for twn minutes every hour or so.
I told Grant and mom that we needed to get ready and we started packing the last minute stuff. The contractions weren't as intense as with Geoffrey, but I just had a sense that things were happening. I called the doctor and we headed to the hospital. Geoffrey stayed home with Danny and Grandpa Bobby. We had debated having Grant stay and put Geoffrey down and then meeting us at the hospital but I really wanted him to just come. Geoff did fine with Grandpa and Danny so there were no worries.
We got to the hospital around 9:30. My nurse, Tien, was excited that I wanted to go natural and very supportive. We got to our room and I got my gown on and got the monitors on. At 9:45 I was 5 cm dilated and 100 % effaced. My contractions were coming regularly, but they were bearable. They put in my iv at 10:10.
With Geoffrey, when they broke my water, it didn't seem to make much of a differenc and it didn't hurt or anything, so I figured might as well break my water as fast as possible to get things moving. The doctor on call broke my water at 10:27 - I was 6 cm dilated. My next contraction was very intense. I had a few milder contractions, but then my contractions came fast and furious, with little to no break. They felt like a massive, tight rubber band squeezing around my stomach. I couldn't ever really get into my "zone" or relax like I was able to with Geoffrey. I knew if I started fighting against the contractions, instead of working through them, I was going to be in trouble, but a contraction came and I fought against it, then another one, and another one, and I started to panic. I knew a lot of time had not passed, so I couldn't be ready to push, but I didn't think I was going to make it.
I told Grant I didn't think I could do it. Grant was supportive and told me I was doing great and to give it more time, but I was getting really scared. I think I gave it one more and then said I was serious, this was too intense. Grant and mom asked if I wanted the nurse to check me to see if I was close and I said sure but I didn't think I could do it. Mom went to get the nurse who came bacl to check me - at 10:58, 30 minutes after my water broke, I was 9 cm.
At this point I was was feeling the urge to push - this feeling that the nurse had tried to explain to me with Geoffrey but I hadn't really felt - well, I got it this time! The nurse was worried and told me not to push yet, I wasn't quite dilated enough and didn't want to damage anything. However, the doctor came in at 11:07 and called me at 10 cm and said I was good to go.
At 11:20, she was born. Tammy walked in at 11:15 and just got to see the birth. The doctor on call delivered the head, and Dr. Hargrove came in to deliver the body and announce to us, "It's a girl!"
The pediatric nurse, Jennilee, ut her on my right away for some skin to skin time. I definately felt more "with it" after this delivery - more aware. Dr. Hargrove showed me the placenta after it was deliverd, I knew her APGAR was an 8 and a 9.
She was 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and 19 1/2 inches long.
While I was being stitched up, everyone got a chance to hold her. Then things began to calm down and everyone left and Grant and I had some time to bond with our baby girl and to finalize her name -
Katelyn Ariel Benedict
Around 2, I got very tired - I just wanted to take a nap - so I tried to take a nap with Geoffrey, although he was more interested in playing than napping. I stayed in bed until about 5:30, at which point I got up and realized I was feeling a little weird.
I didn't think it was contractions - but my lower back was hurting - not an uncommon symptom as of late. But still, every once in a while it seemed more intense. After while, I started timing the more intense pain - at this point, I think I realized that maybe they were contractions. They were irregular, but coming on average every 10 - 12 minutes. I was supposed to call the doctor when they came regularly for twn minutes every hour or so.
I told Grant and mom that we needed to get ready and we started packing the last minute stuff. The contractions weren't as intense as with Geoffrey, but I just had a sense that things were happening. I called the doctor and we headed to the hospital. Geoffrey stayed home with Danny and Grandpa Bobby. We had debated having Grant stay and put Geoffrey down and then meeting us at the hospital but I really wanted him to just come. Geoff did fine with Grandpa and Danny so there were no worries.
We got to the hospital around 9:30. My nurse, Tien, was excited that I wanted to go natural and very supportive. We got to our room and I got my gown on and got the monitors on. At 9:45 I was 5 cm dilated and 100 % effaced. My contractions were coming regularly, but they were bearable. They put in my iv at 10:10.
With Geoffrey, when they broke my water, it didn't seem to make much of a differenc and it didn't hurt or anything, so I figured might as well break my water as fast as possible to get things moving. The doctor on call broke my water at 10:27 - I was 6 cm dilated. My next contraction was very intense. I had a few milder contractions, but then my contractions came fast and furious, with little to no break. They felt like a massive, tight rubber band squeezing around my stomach. I couldn't ever really get into my "zone" or relax like I was able to with Geoffrey. I knew if I started fighting against the contractions, instead of working through them, I was going to be in trouble, but a contraction came and I fought against it, then another one, and another one, and I started to panic. I knew a lot of time had not passed, so I couldn't be ready to push, but I didn't think I was going to make it.
I told Grant I didn't think I could do it. Grant was supportive and told me I was doing great and to give it more time, but I was getting really scared. I think I gave it one more and then said I was serious, this was too intense. Grant and mom asked if I wanted the nurse to check me to see if I was close and I said sure but I didn't think I could do it. Mom went to get the nurse who came bacl to check me - at 10:58, 30 minutes after my water broke, I was 9 cm.
At this point I was was feeling the urge to push - this feeling that the nurse had tried to explain to me with Geoffrey but I hadn't really felt - well, I got it this time! The nurse was worried and told me not to push yet, I wasn't quite dilated enough and didn't want to damage anything. However, the doctor came in at 11:07 and called me at 10 cm and said I was good to go.
At 11:20, she was born. Tammy walked in at 11:15 and just got to see the birth. The doctor on call delivered the head, and Dr. Hargrove came in to deliver the body and announce to us, "It's a girl!"
The pediatric nurse, Jennilee, ut her on my right away for some skin to skin time. I definately felt more "with it" after this delivery - more aware. Dr. Hargrove showed me the placenta after it was deliverd, I knew her APGAR was an 8 and a 9.
She was 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and 19 1/2 inches long.
While I was being stitched up, everyone got a chance to hold her. Then things began to calm down and everyone left and Grant and I had some time to bond with our baby girl and to finalize her name -
Katelyn Ariel Benedict
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
labor?
I got really tired at 2. I went to lay down and noticed that my back was hurting. I thought it was just from laying down. I got up around 5:30.
Since then, the lower back pain has been pretty constant - right now, it is radiating around the right side, to the right side of my stomach. I have felt a few, what might be called "contractions" and I am starting to keep track and write them down, but more it is just a constant stiffness, almost like a cramp that won't go away. Walking seems to make it worse.
Something might be coming...
Monday, January 2, 2012
Geoff's new room
Bobby and Grant and Mom are working really hard on Geoffrey's room and it is really shaping up. It is so awesome to see my old bedroom - my room from early childhood through college - being transitioned into my Geoffrey's room.
Over the last few weeks, the wall paper has been stripped, the carpet torn out, the walls patched and primed, and two of the walls are painted light grey. Today, the other two walls will be painted "Gamma Sector Green." We are going to put Mickey Mouse decals on the wall - we figured decals are easier to change then wall paper so down the road we can retheme it without too much trouble. Next, they will be putting in wood flooring and then we are good to go!
Over the last few weeks, the wall paper has been stripped, the carpet torn out, the walls patched and primed, and two of the walls are painted light grey. Today, the other two walls will be painted "Gamma Sector Green." We are going to put Mickey Mouse decals on the wall - we figured decals are easier to change then wall paper so down the road we can retheme it without too much trouble. Next, they will be putting in wood flooring and then we are good to go!
4 days until due date
Four days until my due date. Overall, still feeling pretty good. My biggest complaint, overall, is still my hips / leg pain. Sleeping is becoming difficult because of leg pain and difficulty changing positions. I have also been getting very tired mid-day, needing a nap, which is so unusual for me.
The waiting is hard, too, because of the whole not knowing when things are going to happen. I like my new doctor, but don't have quite as much confidence in her willingness to let me do things my way. I am bit worried that she is going to push for an induction before I am ready, and having researched getting my membranes stripped I don't want to do that. (She hasn't mentioned stripping membranes. She has mentioned induction, but in a joking manner like "We had you on bed rest all this time and now we are probably going to have to induce - ha ha!") Still, we'll see. I am just afraid that at Thursday's visit, we are going to start going down that road (which makes sense - I mean, it is something we will need to start discussing...)
I am feeling conflicted. (Not that any of my feelings matter if I want to do it naturally, which means things will happen when they want to and my feelings won't affect that at all - although I guess they could contribute to my willingness to induce. I mean, I could probably get induced on Friday if I wanted to.)
Wanting to have the baby earlier:
Hopefully the hip pain being gone faster / getting a move on towards feeling normal again.
Getting to meet the baby faster.
Not having to worry about inducing when I don't want to.
Not having to worry about the baby's health when I can't directly see the baby.
Not having to wait and wonder anymore.
Baby will be smaller / hopefully easier to deliver.
Wanting to wait until later:
More time to decide on a name.
More time to finish Geoff's room.
Farther away from Christmas
More time off work / closer to Spring Break when I DO go back.
Still worried - am I ready for two?
Mainly - wanting the baby to come in its own time.
I had bad dreams again last night. I freakin HATE that I read the synopsis of Sophie's Choice a few years ago because my dream was a strange twist on that.
Sometimes I dream that the baby is a boy, and sometimes I dream that the baby is a girl. (Not always bad dreams, just commenting. I still don't have an idea.)
We need to narrow down our list of boys names. We are down to two girls names, but even then I am stressed about it. Ok. Enough venting.
The waiting is hard, too, because of the whole not knowing when things are going to happen. I like my new doctor, but don't have quite as much confidence in her willingness to let me do things my way. I am bit worried that she is going to push for an induction before I am ready, and having researched getting my membranes stripped I don't want to do that. (She hasn't mentioned stripping membranes. She has mentioned induction, but in a joking manner like "We had you on bed rest all this time and now we are probably going to have to induce - ha ha!") Still, we'll see. I am just afraid that at Thursday's visit, we are going to start going down that road (which makes sense - I mean, it is something we will need to start discussing...)
I am feeling conflicted. (Not that any of my feelings matter if I want to do it naturally, which means things will happen when they want to and my feelings won't affect that at all - although I guess they could contribute to my willingness to induce. I mean, I could probably get induced on Friday if I wanted to.)
Wanting to have the baby earlier:
Hopefully the hip pain being gone faster / getting a move on towards feeling normal again.
Getting to meet the baby faster.
Not having to worry about inducing when I don't want to.
Not having to worry about the baby's health when I can't directly see the baby.
Not having to wait and wonder anymore.
Baby will be smaller / hopefully easier to deliver.
Wanting to wait until later:
More time to decide on a name.
More time to finish Geoff's room.
Farther away from Christmas
More time off work / closer to Spring Break when I DO go back.
Still worried - am I ready for two?
Mainly - wanting the baby to come in its own time.
I had bad dreams again last night. I freakin HATE that I read the synopsis of Sophie's Choice a few years ago because my dream was a strange twist on that.
Sometimes I dream that the baby is a boy, and sometimes I dream that the baby is a girl. (Not always bad dreams, just commenting. I still don't have an idea.)
We need to narrow down our list of boys names. We are down to two girls names, but even then I am stressed about it. Ok. Enough venting.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Christmas 2011
This year we celebrated Geoffrey's 3rd Christmas. It was a lot of fun because he was so much more aware and into everything! It was somewhat low-key - due to my being very pregnant - but lots of fun, anyway!
The Christmas season started off as we started spotting Christmas Lights on houses. When we would drive places, Geoff would point out and shout "Christmas Lights" whenever he saw them! Gary came over to help Grant put ours up and they look awesome and festive. Geoffrey is happy because he can see the CHristmas lights from his bedroom window.
We put up our Christmas Tree in the living room and our house looks warm and cozy! Geoff got a chocolate advent calendar, and LOVED reading his "chocolate book" every night. By the end of the season, he could recite the beginning of "The Night BEfore Christmas," as well as single "jingle Bells" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas." He also really loves any of those stuffed animals that sing and danc e - this year, his favorites were a snowman at Nonnas, a snoopy that rang bells, and the barking dog that rolls around.
We went to Irvine Park to ride the Santa Train during its first weekend. Uncle Blake came with us. We loved seeing all of the lights they decorated with. Geoff was very excited but got very shy around Santa and would not sit on his lap or talk to him. None-the-less, we got a cute family picture and Baby #2 got a special North Pole blessing.
Steve signed us into Disney one day, and we spent a full day doing California Adventure and Disneyland. We got to see the Christmas Parade and the CHristmas fireworks, as well as ride "its a small world holiday" and "Haunted Mansion Holiday."
We also visited the Aquarium of the Pacific which had some Christmas decorations put up as well.
On December 23, we went to Nonna and Grandpa's for dinner and stocking gifts.
Christmas Eve saw us in Beaumont at Darci, Scott, Drew, Parker, and Karson's house. Geoff had a lot of fun spending time Grandpa Bob and Grandma DeeDee, and with his cousins, including Taylor, Tristyn, and Josiah - until, that is, he got a snazzy trash truck which pretty much diverted his attention for the rest of the night!
(Trash Trucks were the hit of the season! Also a hit was "Don't Break the Ice" - he is starting to learn how to play games and take turns - although this will take time (the taking turns part) - and a subscription to High 5 magazine. We are slowly doling out the presents though, so we'll see what else he likes as time goes on!)
On Christmas Day we went back to Nonna and Grandpa's to open CHristmas Presents and have dinner. One of the first packages Geoff opened was a trash truck, and he pretty much didn't want to open anything else. We had to hide it and avoid any package that might include a trash truck or else the other gifts may never have been opened!
Mom, Bobby G, and Andy arrived Christmas night. Our Christmas trickled over the next week as Danny gave Geoff a few presents each day. We enjyed cozy days of holiday programing, such as "Mickey's Once Upon a CHristmas" and "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas," where Geoffrey was introduced to Huey, Dewie and Louie, whom he thinks are hilarious!
Grant, Bobby, and mom have also spent a lot of time working on Geoffrey's new room - it is going to be awesome!
Happy Christmas, 2011
The Christmas season started off as we started spotting Christmas Lights on houses. When we would drive places, Geoff would point out and shout "Christmas Lights" whenever he saw them! Gary came over to help Grant put ours up and they look awesome and festive. Geoffrey is happy because he can see the CHristmas lights from his bedroom window.
We put up our Christmas Tree in the living room and our house looks warm and cozy! Geoff got a chocolate advent calendar, and LOVED reading his "chocolate book" every night. By the end of the season, he could recite the beginning of "The Night BEfore Christmas," as well as single "jingle Bells" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas." He also really loves any of those stuffed animals that sing and danc e - this year, his favorites were a snowman at Nonnas, a snoopy that rang bells, and the barking dog that rolls around.
We went to Irvine Park to ride the Santa Train during its first weekend. Uncle Blake came with us. We loved seeing all of the lights they decorated with. Geoff was very excited but got very shy around Santa and would not sit on his lap or talk to him. None-the-less, we got a cute family picture and Baby #2 got a special North Pole blessing.
Steve signed us into Disney one day, and we spent a full day doing California Adventure and Disneyland. We got to see the Christmas Parade and the CHristmas fireworks, as well as ride "its a small world holiday" and "Haunted Mansion Holiday."
We also visited the Aquarium of the Pacific which had some Christmas decorations put up as well.
On December 23, we went to Nonna and Grandpa's for dinner and stocking gifts.
Christmas Eve saw us in Beaumont at Darci, Scott, Drew, Parker, and Karson's house. Geoff had a lot of fun spending time Grandpa Bob and Grandma DeeDee, and with his cousins, including Taylor, Tristyn, and Josiah - until, that is, he got a snazzy trash truck which pretty much diverted his attention for the rest of the night!
(Trash Trucks were the hit of the season! Also a hit was "Don't Break the Ice" - he is starting to learn how to play games and take turns - although this will take time (the taking turns part) - and a subscription to High 5 magazine. We are slowly doling out the presents though, so we'll see what else he likes as time goes on!)
On Christmas Day we went back to Nonna and Grandpa's to open CHristmas Presents and have dinner. One of the first packages Geoff opened was a trash truck, and he pretty much didn't want to open anything else. We had to hide it and avoid any package that might include a trash truck or else the other gifts may never have been opened!
Mom, Bobby G, and Andy arrived Christmas night. Our Christmas trickled over the next week as Danny gave Geoff a few presents each day. We enjyed cozy days of holiday programing, such as "Mickey's Once Upon a CHristmas" and "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas," where Geoffrey was introduced to Huey, Dewie and Louie, whom he thinks are hilarious!
Grant, Bobby, and mom have also spent a lot of time working on Geoffrey's new room - it is going to be awesome!
Happy Christmas, 2011
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