Well, Cricket told me I need to update my blog more, so I thought I would write a new post to stay updated!
Nothing majorly new to write about, we are just plugging along in our new role as parents. We are learning a ton and trying to get some sleep at the same time. We are definitely waiting for all of those milestones that happen so early on. At this point we are eager for her to smile at us, and mean to smile at us. Right now, we find her smiling randomly, but not necessarily in response to anything...and definitely not when we talk or tickle her.
I am also ready for Belle to start packing on the weight! Haha! She seems so little to me still and I can't wait until she sports some chunky thighs and some rolls in her belly! At this point she still seems so fragile to me and I am ready for her to bulk up so she is a bit more resilient!
On a personal note, I visited with some of my old coworkers for the County Wide Food Drive today. It was so good to see them and reminded me how blessed I was to work in such an amazing agency with fabulous people. I am happy to be able to be home with Belle, but definitely miss the people I used to work with.
All in all, I love being a mom...even if I stress out about taking her to Meijer or how I am going to get myself together in the morning with a fussy baby. She is a blessing to us and is truly our greatest accomplishment.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
11 Days In
So, Paul and I have been parents for 11 days. It has been extremely rewarding, yet extremely difficult. We have had a few sleepless nights and days where we look at each other and know that we are both running on fumes. Either way, it's amazing how it's all totally worth it and you somehow love why you are staying up late and changing poopy diapers :-)
Belle has already changed so much since the day she debuted into this world. Her hair is still crazy and all over and we love it! We have received many bows as gifts since she was born :-) Something about all that hair makes everyone want to put a bow in it!
I am braving taking her out and praying that she doesn't lose her mind while I am out to lunch with a friend or at the mall with my mom. So far, she has done pretty good and it helps me build my confidence. It's hilarious how someone so little dictates so much of my life right now. I keep reminding myself that it's okay if she cries in public and that it really only bothers me and not those around me (I think!).
Below are pics of her first bath and other random ones we have taken recently. We love her to pieces and love learning new things about her each day. We can't wait till she gets more interactive, but at this point we are enjoying our little newborn.
Belle has already changed so much since the day she debuted into this world. Her hair is still crazy and all over and we love it! We have received many bows as gifts since she was born :-) Something about all that hair makes everyone want to put a bow in it!
I am braving taking her out and praying that she doesn't lose her mind while I am out to lunch with a friend or at the mall with my mom. So far, she has done pretty good and it helps me build my confidence. It's hilarious how someone so little dictates so much of my life right now. I keep reminding myself that it's okay if she cries in public and that it really only bothers me and not those around me (I think!).
Below are pics of her first bath and other random ones we have taken recently. We love her to pieces and love learning new things about her each day. We can't wait till she gets more interactive, but at this point we are enjoying our little newborn.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Isabelle Mae is Here!
Belle has finally arrived and Paul and I are on cloud nine! She is beautiful and we are completely amazed by her. I figured that I needed to update our blog about everything.Tuesday I was having contractions all day, but they didn't hurt too bad. The nurse told us to go in and get checked, but unfortunately they sent us home at 11:30 at night and they also gave me two Ambiens to sleep. The Ambien basically drugged my up and I was high as all get out! I seriously stumbled up the stairs to our bedroom and was so out of it. Paul told me that I was acting really loopy! I am not sure why they gave me two Ambien, but I don't think I will ever take the stuff for as long as I live. The entire beginning to my labor is a bit of a blur.
I woke up at 1:45am with horrible contractions and my water broke at 2:00. We went into the hospital. I had about an hour or so of hard contractions and then they gave me my epidural. Let me tell you, it was the most amazing feeling ever! Haha, thank the Lord for drugs! I was able to get some sleep and around 6:30am they told me I was dilated to 9cm and was going to push soon. Talk about moving fast! 7:10 we started pushing and 7:50 Belle came!
She has a FULL head of hair and a good set of lungs on her (that must take after me). The labor and delivery went awesome and smoothly. Belle weighed 7lbs 13 ounces and was 19 inches long. Paul and I are two proud parents and we are amazed at the work of God. I am in awe how he can create a tiny person and put all of their organs, body parts, and even their personality altogether so perfectly.
Since being home we are learning the ins and outs of parenthood. I have personally struggled with the normal hormonal things and just strugging to take care of a newborn while my body is healing. Paul has been my saving grace. Belle had a rough first night, but we are learning what things work and what things don't work. I am sure this is much of the entire journey of parenthood.
Below are some pics of are little peanut. She is seriously my favorite thing ever.
Haha, this is how she ends up when we put her in her swing. Apparently she must like to be all scrunched up!
Rock Star
Friday, September 4, 2009
40 Weeks
Well, today is the official day that Paul and I have been anxiously awaiting...my due date. However, a due date does not mean that we have a baby. I had a doctor appointment this morning that went well, and my body is progressing into labor, but I still have no quite hit those strong contractions.
Next week we have an appointment to do the non-stress test, and then we will have an ultrasound done. This makes me extremely excited. I would rather meet Isabelle in person before this, however, it gives me something to look forward to next week if I haven't already had her. The nurse told me that an ultrasound at this stage can show how much hair she has and really show what her face looks like. I think that is amazing!
We are anxiously awaiting Belle's arrival, but we know that she will be here shortly. It is so bizarre to think that our lives are going to completely flip around and revolve around one small being. We are excited, but nervous at the same time. There is so much unexpected and uncertainty.
At this point, we are praying God gives me patience to make it through however long this waiting game lasts. My pregnancy has been a wonderful experience so far, but these last few weeks are taking a toll on my body. I am a bit more sore, sleeping is more difficult, and my mind is going nuts on whether the feelings in my belly are contractions or just her moving!
Next week we have an appointment to do the non-stress test, and then we will have an ultrasound done. This makes me extremely excited. I would rather meet Isabelle in person before this, however, it gives me something to look forward to next week if I haven't already had her. The nurse told me that an ultrasound at this stage can show how much hair she has and really show what her face looks like. I think that is amazing!
We are anxiously awaiting Belle's arrival, but we know that she will be here shortly. It is so bizarre to think that our lives are going to completely flip around and revolve around one small being. We are excited, but nervous at the same time. There is so much unexpected and uncertainty.
At this point, we are praying God gives me patience to make it through however long this waiting game lasts. My pregnancy has been a wonderful experience so far, but these last few weeks are taking a toll on my body. I am a bit more sore, sleeping is more difficult, and my mind is going nuts on whether the feelings in my belly are contractions or just her moving!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
10 Annoying Things People Say and Do to Pregnant Women
Okay, so I have had a wonderful pregnancy overall, but I found this list and was amazed at how much I could relate! I had to share this, because in some ways I feel it is my Public Service Announcement to everyone out there who says these things to pregnant women! I have experienced each one and can tell you that they are all very annoying.
1. Old wives tales as gospel. As scientific as it is, it's annoying when people tell you with certainty what sex the baby will be based on how you're carrying.
2. Manhandling. Suddenly your globe of a stomach becomes public domain. Old women and customers in grocery stores suddenly flock to molest your belly as if it is the most accepted and natural thing in the world. More common than a handshake.
3. Horror stories. While pregnancy brings kinship between women who otherwise had nothing in common, it also brings out their burning desire to regale you with stories of their horrific stories of birth. Never will you hear more about botched episiotomies and days of fruitless labor and stopped baby heartbeats. Why anyone thinks someone with labor on the horizon would want to hear this is beyond me.
4. The just wait until...syndrome. Nothing is less pleasing than to have your current station in pregnancy belittled with just wait until... (insert anecdote here). Sometimes it is only limited to how much worse your pregnancy will get (as if it hasn't been bad in different ways throughout) but it can also extend to just wait until you get no sleep when the baby is here. When does this end? When I have a baby I guarantee I will start hearing about the terrible twos...when I have a 5 year old it will be "Just wait until you have a tween" and then just wait until you have a teenager. Thank you harbingers of doom, but I think I will take my torture one day at a time.
5. The belly reactions. Pregnant women are hormonal; they are seldom happy with their expanding waistline and are self-conscious in regards to their looks. Why do people feel the need to point out how big they are? "Oh my god! You're huge" are NEVER words a woman wants to hear. Similarly, "Are you sure you aren't having twins?" should have a moratorium slapped on it.
6. Unsolicited opinions on birth plans and breast feeding. The debates between no drugs vs. drugs in labor and breastfeeding vs. not breast feeding can be hot ones...but it should be relegated to the no talk zone along with religion and politics. I am sure that everyone feels like their information is true and correct, but it is a personal choice.
7. Ingestion Nazis. The people that watch you like a hawk just waiting for you to eat or drink something that they think is on the no no list. Pregnancy is hard enough without people commenting on nitrates or caffeine. What self respecting pregnant person isn't going to be aware of the do not eat or drink items and the risk associated with each? Everyone's Dr. is different and new information is being uncovered every day.
8. Unsolicited name advice. A name choice is a privilege bestowed upon people carrying and raising the child. Yet, despite varying tastes, everyone wants to weigh in on name choices. Even the most well meaning person offering up names puts the pregnant couple in the uncomfortable position of having to shoot down names. One man's Bertha is another man's treasure.
9. The “expert” syndrome. It seems that some women who have been pregnant, even forty years ago, feel like they know everything there is to know about all pregnancies. Even though all pregnancies are different they feel the need to weigh in of what is normal or not normal in a pregnancy. Even if they are directly contradicting scores of baby books and professionally trained medical workers, they toil on, spreading misinformation and causing panic or feelings of abnormality.
10. Unhelpful weight advice. Yes I know it is better not to gain too much weight. Yes I am aware of how hard it is to take off weight. Yes I know that breast feeding will not melt away my fat. Yes I’m aware that stretch marks are no fun to have. Enough said.
1. Old wives tales as gospel. As scientific as it is, it's annoying when people tell you with certainty what sex the baby will be based on how you're carrying.
2. Manhandling. Suddenly your globe of a stomach becomes public domain. Old women and customers in grocery stores suddenly flock to molest your belly as if it is the most accepted and natural thing in the world. More common than a handshake.
3. Horror stories. While pregnancy brings kinship between women who otherwise had nothing in common, it also brings out their burning desire to regale you with stories of their horrific stories of birth. Never will you hear more about botched episiotomies and days of fruitless labor and stopped baby heartbeats. Why anyone thinks someone with labor on the horizon would want to hear this is beyond me.
4. The just wait until...syndrome. Nothing is less pleasing than to have your current station in pregnancy belittled with just wait until... (insert anecdote here). Sometimes it is only limited to how much worse your pregnancy will get (as if it hasn't been bad in different ways throughout) but it can also extend to just wait until you get no sleep when the baby is here. When does this end? When I have a baby I guarantee I will start hearing about the terrible twos...when I have a 5 year old it will be "Just wait until you have a tween" and then just wait until you have a teenager. Thank you harbingers of doom, but I think I will take my torture one day at a time.
5. The belly reactions. Pregnant women are hormonal; they are seldom happy with their expanding waistline and are self-conscious in regards to their looks. Why do people feel the need to point out how big they are? "Oh my god! You're huge" are NEVER words a woman wants to hear. Similarly, "Are you sure you aren't having twins?" should have a moratorium slapped on it.
6. Unsolicited opinions on birth plans and breast feeding. The debates between no drugs vs. drugs in labor and breastfeeding vs. not breast feeding can be hot ones...but it should be relegated to the no talk zone along with religion and politics. I am sure that everyone feels like their information is true and correct, but it is a personal choice.
7. Ingestion Nazis. The people that watch you like a hawk just waiting for you to eat or drink something that they think is on the no no list. Pregnancy is hard enough without people commenting on nitrates or caffeine. What self respecting pregnant person isn't going to be aware of the do not eat or drink items and the risk associated with each? Everyone's Dr. is different and new information is being uncovered every day.
8. Unsolicited name advice. A name choice is a privilege bestowed upon people carrying and raising the child. Yet, despite varying tastes, everyone wants to weigh in on name choices. Even the most well meaning person offering up names puts the pregnant couple in the uncomfortable position of having to shoot down names. One man's Bertha is another man's treasure.
9. The “expert” syndrome. It seems that some women who have been pregnant, even forty years ago, feel like they know everything there is to know about all pregnancies. Even though all pregnancies are different they feel the need to weigh in of what is normal or not normal in a pregnancy. Even if they are directly contradicting scores of baby books and professionally trained medical workers, they toil on, spreading misinformation and causing panic or feelings of abnormality.
10. Unhelpful weight advice. Yes I know it is better not to gain too much weight. Yes I am aware of how hard it is to take off weight. Yes I know that breast feeding will not melt away my fat. Yes I’m aware that stretch marks are no fun to have. Enough said.
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