This week is a week of denial and stretching. Let me explain:
My son is/has grown out of 0-3 months sized clothes. But I am too lazy to switch them out for the next size up. Part of this is because we don't have anything to put the old clothes in and partly because I don't want to wash and fold and put away all the 3-6 months clothes. So I am stretching how long he can really last in 0-3 months.
He also has soooo many clothes, many which are cute and were given as gifts and probably haven't been worn much so I feel the need to make sure he wears everything atleast once. Some days, I put on a cute outfit, only for him to spit up/pee/poop all over it before we can take a pic or get out in public for people to see. Then I think, "Why do people pay good money on new clothes for babies that are cute and what not when the child could care less?" By the generosity of others, we haven't bought many clothes ourselves and when we do, we go to Goodwill or Once Upon a Child.
I sometimes think that our next baby should be a boy so we don't have to buy new clothes for a girl, haha! But our family would buy us clothes for a girl, I;m sure. I can't even imagine how many clothes we would collect if we had a girl and how much more I will try to put her in all the cute clothes.
This whole week has been pretty laid back. I've atleast managed to cook dinner everyday and do the dishes. When I do the dishes, I put James in his highchair, pull him next to the sink, and talk to him about things. He just laughs and smiles. I think he likes the sound of the running water. Maybe he likes to hear me talk ;) He also loved watching me bake a pie on Monday. It was my first pie - strawberry and raspberry. Yum yum!
I also need to go to the store today, but baby is sleeping and I'm watching soccer :) Maybe later...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Proud baby keep on rolling...
We had a good weekend. James had a hard day Friday night when we went to a friend's house and then again Monday at Attila's parents. Monday morning was very rough on him so we decided to stay put and not try to go to see some more friends and family. It was hard for me to know that we weren't going to see certain people, but it was best for our son. Sunday was the best day. We went to the mall, where he fell asleep in Dad's arms and then to a friends house, where he did really well. He was quite social, really!
Tuesday morning we drove back home and settled in at home for the day. It was a big day for Attila James! He had a very messy diaper and peed on himself when I was changing it, so we took a bath. When the bath was done, of course he peed on himself again. At lunch, Dad came home and we decided to have tummy time. See, he really hates tummy time so I've been forcing us to do it so he gets more used to it. Over the weekend when we tried it, he did really well and held his head up really high. This particular tummy time he rolled over! It brought tears to my eyes, hehe :) It is so neat to see him develop and get to new milestones. Today (Wednesday) we noticed how much he was watching us eat lunch, and we even watched as he mimicked chewing. Yikes, I was thinking it may be awhile before we start solids, but he may be ready in a couple months. We'll see! We also watched him focus on deliberatlely moving his leg up to kick my knee. He's the coolest kid, ever!
I feel like we're in a strange limbo period. James loves to be awake and play, but there comes a point when all of the sudden, his mood changes and he's crabby and super tired. I just don't know how to prevent these sudden outbursts that are evidently him overstimulated and tired. I really don't know how I feel about putting him on a "schedule" where I try to get him to nap at specific times during the day. I think he's too young for that and that it would be exhausting to almost "sleep train" him. We've just started getting in the routine of bedtime at the same time every night and wake up for the day every day at roughly the same time. Some days he seems to need more sleep; other days not so much. It's a waiting game and a balance game, I guess!
And today, there was no rolling over at tummy time :( But the day is not over and I know it may be awhile before he does it again...
Tuesday morning we drove back home and settled in at home for the day. It was a big day for Attila James! He had a very messy diaper and peed on himself when I was changing it, so we took a bath. When the bath was done, of course he peed on himself again. At lunch, Dad came home and we decided to have tummy time. See, he really hates tummy time so I've been forcing us to do it so he gets more used to it. Over the weekend when we tried it, he did really well and held his head up really high. This particular tummy time he rolled over! It brought tears to my eyes, hehe :) It is so neat to see him develop and get to new milestones. Today (Wednesday) we noticed how much he was watching us eat lunch, and we even watched as he mimicked chewing. Yikes, I was thinking it may be awhile before we start solids, but he may be ready in a couple months. We'll see! We also watched him focus on deliberatlely moving his leg up to kick my knee. He's the coolest kid, ever!
I feel like we're in a strange limbo period. James loves to be awake and play, but there comes a point when all of the sudden, his mood changes and he's crabby and super tired. I just don't know how to prevent these sudden outbursts that are evidently him overstimulated and tired. I really don't know how I feel about putting him on a "schedule" where I try to get him to nap at specific times during the day. I think he's too young for that and that it would be exhausting to almost "sleep train" him. We've just started getting in the routine of bedtime at the same time every night and wake up for the day every day at roughly the same time. Some days he seems to need more sleep; other days not so much. It's a waiting game and a balance game, I guess!
And today, there was no rolling over at tummy time :( But the day is not over and I know it may be awhile before he does it again...
Friday, July 1, 2011
On the road again...
This week has been the first week where I felt like we were really on a do-able routine. Bed time everynight at the same time, wake-up routine the same everyday, walks outside everyday at the same time, etc. Last weekend was a particularly hard weekend for James (he had many bouts of inconsolable crying). This week, I tried some new tactics to calming him and it was a good week, if I should say so myself.
We're going to South Bend for the Fourth of July weekend. Now, I feel like the classic Mom, who dreads a trip because of the fact that it is going to disrupt this routine and possibly throw my child back into disorganization and chaos. Don't get me wrong, I am excited about seeing family and friends, but I hope its not all too hard on my little boy. Since he is more awake these days, his naptimes are that more important and I'm a little worried about him getting passed around so much that he won't be able to get good rest in. Since we dont see family and friends as often as we (and they) would like, everyone always wants to play and hold him. I'm going to be honest, pull out the "first time Mom" card, and if he is sleeping, insist he stays in one spot or with one person until he is rested. Any advice for me? Should I not worry so much and just roll with the punches? Of course, and by the end of the weekend, I'm sure I'll be thinking, "What was I so worried about?"
Happy Fourth of July everyone. May God bless our country and shower us with the grace that we need to live in dignity and truth.
We're going to South Bend for the Fourth of July weekend. Now, I feel like the classic Mom, who dreads a trip because of the fact that it is going to disrupt this routine and possibly throw my child back into disorganization and chaos. Don't get me wrong, I am excited about seeing family and friends, but I hope its not all too hard on my little boy. Since he is more awake these days, his naptimes are that more important and I'm a little worried about him getting passed around so much that he won't be able to get good rest in. Since we dont see family and friends as often as we (and they) would like, everyone always wants to play and hold him. I'm going to be honest, pull out the "first time Mom" card, and if he is sleeping, insist he stays in one spot or with one person until he is rested. Any advice for me? Should I not worry so much and just roll with the punches? Of course, and by the end of the weekend, I'm sure I'll be thinking, "What was I so worried about?"
Happy Fourth of July everyone. May God bless our country and shower us with the grace that we need to live in dignity and truth.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
We're back!
So, after many months of being absent from this, we're back. Life is falling into routine now with our little man. He's 3 months old now! He's more then doubled his birth weight and is right on track with his developmental skills. Except he hates tummy time and I hate feeling like I am torturing him, so we're slowly working on getting more tummy time in. He can hold his head up, though, when you hold him over your shoulder. He definitely prefers to have us hold him up so he can flex his little legs, or sit on our laps so he can kick and kick and kick (kick our stomachs that is)! We're getting more aware of when he is just bored and wants to be moved around until he finds a sight in the house to observe and look at. It's so cute. And he's even getting too long for some of his 0-3 months sized clothes. It's so crazy to look back at his pictures from the NICU or when we first brought him home; he was so little. At that time I didn't know he was so little. When people say he's little now, I am flabbergasted almost, but I have to remember that strangers weren't there from the beginning.
Look forward to more! As I often sit and hold a sleeping baby, I do research on some things and I am excited to share some insights I've come to about parenting. This post is a bit unorganized as I am between laundry loads and straightening up the house while hoping my child stays asleep in his swing!
Look forward to more! As I often sit and hold a sleeping baby, I do research on some things and I am excited to share some insights I've come to about parenting. This post is a bit unorganized as I am between laundry loads and straightening up the house while hoping my child stays asleep in his swing!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Birth Story Part II
The finished version:
After the whole day of labor, the contractions started to de intensify and the dialation stopped expanding. That was the biggest emotional blow we had both received. The water was broken, the pitocin intake was high, but my body was just not ready to birth the baby.
We decided to wait it out during the rest of the night to see if anything would change, and it did not. So the morning was spent getting ready for a C-Section. So at around 1:25 PM Alycia was taken back to the OR and at 1:45 our son was born.
He came out screaming, which was such a relief. We had heard so many other babies scream coming out of their mother, that we just couldn't wait to hear our baby be alive and well. He cleaned up great, and already had normal color. His breathing was stable which was the biggest area of concern for the hospital staff. Our first born son was finally here and what a joy it was to know he was in good hands. He was born 19 cm's long and at 5 lbs 1 oz.
His time in the NICU was nothing short of amazing. He progressed so well. They told us to expect to be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks, and he ended up only being in the hospital for 12 DAYS. He progressed with his breathing, feeding, maintaining his temperature out of the incubator, and weight gain, that we were able to bring him home April 2nd.
We of course msut give a short shout out to the hospital staff treating mom and the baby. They took care of us as if we were their own family, and made things so much better. They calmed us in times of stress, they provided for every need, and did everything with the utmost professionalism and care. IU Health Arnett is a great hospital!!
So, after 60 hours of labor, so many mixed emotions, so many highs and lows, as we like to call it: the journey through the desert ended, and replaced with joy once he was born. The prayers of so many carried us through this time testing us emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and loving, we have a deeper understanding of the word family. We can't wait to show him to the rest of our family and friends, so we can share our joy together.
After the whole day of labor, the contractions started to de intensify and the dialation stopped expanding. That was the biggest emotional blow we had both received. The water was broken, the pitocin intake was high, but my body was just not ready to birth the baby.
We decided to wait it out during the rest of the night to see if anything would change, and it did not. So the morning was spent getting ready for a C-Section. So at around 1:25 PM Alycia was taken back to the OR and at 1:45 our son was born.
He came out screaming, which was such a relief. We had heard so many other babies scream coming out of their mother, that we just couldn't wait to hear our baby be alive and well. He cleaned up great, and already had normal color. His breathing was stable which was the biggest area of concern for the hospital staff. Our first born son was finally here and what a joy it was to know he was in good hands. He was born 19 cm's long and at 5 lbs 1 oz.
His time in the NICU was nothing short of amazing. He progressed so well. They told us to expect to be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks, and he ended up only being in the hospital for 12 DAYS. He progressed with his breathing, feeding, maintaining his temperature out of the incubator, and weight gain, that we were able to bring him home April 2nd.
We of course msut give a short shout out to the hospital staff treating mom and the baby. They took care of us as if we were their own family, and made things so much better. They calmed us in times of stress, they provided for every need, and did everything with the utmost professionalism and care. IU Health Arnett is a great hospital!!
So, after 60 hours of labor, so many mixed emotions, so many highs and lows, as we like to call it: the journey through the desert ended, and replaced with joy once he was born. The prayers of so many carried us through this time testing us emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and loving, we have a deeper understanding of the word family. We can't wait to show him to the rest of our family and friends, so we can share our joy together.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Our Birth Story
On Wednesday, March 16, Attila and I headed to our 34 week check up. It was right after I got out of work and on the way there, I put my feet up in the car and noticed how incredibly swollen they were; the worse I had ever seen. I was also feeling weak and dizzy. When we got to the office, my blood pressure was pretty high and they decided to check my protein urine count. It was also up. Literally in the time span of half an hour, they admitted me into the hospital fearing it could be pre eclampsia. I was very emotional at that point, of course. We drove over to the hospital (stopping by 40 Days for Life and asking them to pray for us) and I got wheeled up to a room. Right away I was hooked up to blood pressure monitor and had labs taken. They checked my BP every 15 minutes and it was all over the place, reaching into the 180s. By 9 pm, it was decided that I would do a 24 hour urine sample test which would tell us if it really was pre eclampsia. So we geared up to spend the night in the hospital.
The next day, Thursday, was just about waiting and going pee. Our midwife, Sharon, would come in and out and give us results of the blood tests, which were OK but showing early signs of pre eclampsia. At one point we talked about maybe looking at bedrest but at another point, the reality of an emergency c section was laid before us. If my labs continued to get worse, showing my kidneys and liver getting worse, then it would be a c section. The 24 hours were up Thursdsay night, but we waited until Friday morning to hear and discuss the news.
Friday morning came, and I had high levels of protein in my urine. But my lab results were still Ok. And my blood pressure was still high. At that point, it was clear that we would try inducing labor. So now there was a series of tests to determine if baby was strong enough for labor. They had given me steroid shots to help the baby's lungs mature, too. We did an ultrasound and found out that the baby weighed about 5 pounds, which really put our hearts at ease a bit. It was so crazy to think that we could soon be meeting our little man. That night, they also started me on Magnesium Sulfate to protect my body from seizure and stroke during labor. It was intense. First, to realize seizures and stroke were a possibility and second the drug had very strong side effects. I was woozy and dizzy most of the time and it gave me hot flashes. At dinner time, they started a round of prostoglandin on my cervix to soften it and dialate it in preparation for pitocin in the morning.
We woke Saturday and found out I was dialated 1 cm and 50 % effaced. The pitocin was started. Most of the day not much happened in terms of contractions. I was very exhausted and so out of it from the medication I was on. The magnesium is known to relax the uterus, so that was working against what the pitocin should've done. Our families came to visit that day and I think it was very hard for them to see me in the state I was. By dinner Saturday, I had not made any progress in terms of dialation. We waited a little longer, and later that night the doctor let me have a break from the pitocin and cut the magnesium dose in half, so I would start to feel better. And I got to eat a full meal, which I hadn't had since Friday night. They also put me back on the prostoglandin to work on dialating me some more. I got some sleep and I would be checked Sunday morning.
On Sunday morning, I was dialated 2 cm and 80 % effaced. Not too much progress. By Sunday around noon (I think, i've lost track of all the times), we decided to break my waters, hoping that would speed up labor. After my waters were broke, they started me on pitocin again. We were pretty hopeful this time. As exhausted as I was, I still wanted to have a vaginal birth, and the hospital staff was not quick to solve things with a c-section, which I appreciated. The contractions were much stronger this time and I even found myself praying for painful contractions - it would mean labor was progressing! Since my water had been broken, they didn't want to check me that often for risk of infection, so they checked me once late at night and I was 3 cm dialated and. After the whole day of labor
The next day, Thursday, was just about waiting and going pee. Our midwife, Sharon, would come in and out and give us results of the blood tests, which were OK but showing early signs of pre eclampsia. At one point we talked about maybe looking at bedrest but at another point, the reality of an emergency c section was laid before us. If my labs continued to get worse, showing my kidneys and liver getting worse, then it would be a c section. The 24 hours were up Thursdsay night, but we waited until Friday morning to hear and discuss the news.
Friday morning came, and I had high levels of protein in my urine. But my lab results were still Ok. And my blood pressure was still high. At that point, it was clear that we would try inducing labor. So now there was a series of tests to determine if baby was strong enough for labor. They had given me steroid shots to help the baby's lungs mature, too. We did an ultrasound and found out that the baby weighed about 5 pounds, which really put our hearts at ease a bit. It was so crazy to think that we could soon be meeting our little man. That night, they also started me on Magnesium Sulfate to protect my body from seizure and stroke during labor. It was intense. First, to realize seizures and stroke were a possibility and second the drug had very strong side effects. I was woozy and dizzy most of the time and it gave me hot flashes. At dinner time, they started a round of prostoglandin on my cervix to soften it and dialate it in preparation for pitocin in the morning.
We woke Saturday and found out I was dialated 1 cm and 50 % effaced. The pitocin was started. Most of the day not much happened in terms of contractions. I was very exhausted and so out of it from the medication I was on. The magnesium is known to relax the uterus, so that was working against what the pitocin should've done. Our families came to visit that day and I think it was very hard for them to see me in the state I was. By dinner Saturday, I had not made any progress in terms of dialation. We waited a little longer, and later that night the doctor let me have a break from the pitocin and cut the magnesium dose in half, so I would start to feel better. And I got to eat a full meal, which I hadn't had since Friday night. They also put me back on the prostoglandin to work on dialating me some more. I got some sleep and I would be checked Sunday morning.
On Sunday morning, I was dialated 2 cm and 80 % effaced. Not too much progress. By Sunday around noon (I think, i've lost track of all the times), we decided to break my waters, hoping that would speed up labor. After my waters were broke, they started me on pitocin again. We were pretty hopeful this time. As exhausted as I was, I still wanted to have a vaginal birth, and the hospital staff was not quick to solve things with a c-section, which I appreciated. The contractions were much stronger this time and I even found myself praying for painful contractions - it would mean labor was progressing! Since my water had been broken, they didn't want to check me that often for risk of infection, so they checked me once late at night and I was 3 cm dialated and. After the whole day of labor
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Sacrifices
I just wrote an entire post that got deleted! Aagh! So now I will try my best to remember what I had written the first time around...
I haven't posted in a month! I hate to say that February was "busy" (because that term is used so lightly as an excuse to not do things) but we had a lot going on. Normally, I would've thrived off of all we had planned (youth group functions and retreats, many meetings at Church, a quick trip to South Bend, visits to the doctor, baby shower planning + registering, plus grocery shopping, laundry and cleaning with full time jobs) but being 8 months pregnant takes a toll! There hasn't been many nights at home for the evening to relax. Attila is even gone right now at a meeting in Lafayette and I could've gone to another church function, but I needed to stay home!
In the past month, pregancy has showed up in full force. I will say, and most women agree, the second trimester was AWESOME! It's a special time when you start feeling the baby move. Now that I'm well into the third trimester, I still love being pregnant and experiencing this little life within me. But more and more each day there is the realization that my body is not my own. There is another person growing inside of me, and theres less and less room for both of us to live comfortably everyday. I feel like I am officially apart of the pregnancy experience; I've been initiated now that I am experiencing all the stereotypical symptoms.
Lots of burps! If I move from laying down to sitting up, its a given that I will burp many times in a row! And lots of peeing. I am constantly aware of my bladder. This baby's head is right where it needs to be, meaning its right on top of my bladder and meaning I waddle as fast as I can when I feel like I may explode. It can be painful! It doesn't help that my mother in law told me Attila was born with a big head, and I am convinced this baby will have a big head, too. This head has to be big with how much pain I'm in :) I am also beginning to feel my lungs and ribs smooshed by the top of my growing uterus, hence why I may sound outta breath if you talk to me on the phone or in person. My carpel tunnel is getting worse, but I have a splint which helps a lot. And then there is the swelling! When I weighed in this week at the docs, I had gained 6 pounds in 2 weeks. The doc looked at my legs and knew I am retaining water. My legs look like tree trunks and my toes look like sausages! I am quite fascinated (and a lil disgusted) at what my ankles look like. I have to lay low on the sodium and keep drinking water!
We're also in "preparation for labor" mode. Since we're planning on a natural birth, it's "go time" to really kick exercises and stretches into gear. My cute husband is my "coach" and is taking this role seriously. Today, he was so adament on doing the exercises and stretches. But its good, I really need him to help me prepare my body for labor. We're entering a new phase of this pregnancy and of our marriage, really. He's getting to know my body more, too and I'm only going to rely on him more and more to help me out physically. Sometimes, I do fall into the trap of thinking "you have no idea what I'm going through" or "you won't ever have to experience the pains of labor" mentality and harbor feelings of resentment toward him for still being to live a normal functioning life. But he is taking such an active role in being my "coach" that I really think he WILL experience what I do and labor will be just as demanding on him. He already sacrifices so much to help me be more comfortable everyday and our marriage is becoming more of the reality "two become one". The TWO of us are sacrificing and preparing as if we were one person, in union, working together to bring the fruit of our love into this world!
God is so great and has blessed us beyond measure! I don't think its a coincidence that I'm due right after Easter, and that the most difficult part of pregnancy will be during Lent. God is refining me and my little family and bringing us even closer to the beauty of His Cross and His Glory. Amen, so be it!
I haven't posted in a month! I hate to say that February was "busy" (because that term is used so lightly as an excuse to not do things) but we had a lot going on. Normally, I would've thrived off of all we had planned (youth group functions and retreats, many meetings at Church, a quick trip to South Bend, visits to the doctor, baby shower planning + registering, plus grocery shopping, laundry and cleaning with full time jobs) but being 8 months pregnant takes a toll! There hasn't been many nights at home for the evening to relax. Attila is even gone right now at a meeting in Lafayette and I could've gone to another church function, but I needed to stay home!
In the past month, pregancy has showed up in full force. I will say, and most women agree, the second trimester was AWESOME! It's a special time when you start feeling the baby move. Now that I'm well into the third trimester, I still love being pregnant and experiencing this little life within me. But more and more each day there is the realization that my body is not my own. There is another person growing inside of me, and theres less and less room for both of us to live comfortably everyday. I feel like I am officially apart of the pregnancy experience; I've been initiated now that I am experiencing all the stereotypical symptoms.
Lots of burps! If I move from laying down to sitting up, its a given that I will burp many times in a row! And lots of peeing. I am constantly aware of my bladder. This baby's head is right where it needs to be, meaning its right on top of my bladder and meaning I waddle as fast as I can when I feel like I may explode. It can be painful! It doesn't help that my mother in law told me Attila was born with a big head, and I am convinced this baby will have a big head, too. This head has to be big with how much pain I'm in :) I am also beginning to feel my lungs and ribs smooshed by the top of my growing uterus, hence why I may sound outta breath if you talk to me on the phone or in person. My carpel tunnel is getting worse, but I have a splint which helps a lot. And then there is the swelling! When I weighed in this week at the docs, I had gained 6 pounds in 2 weeks. The doc looked at my legs and knew I am retaining water. My legs look like tree trunks and my toes look like sausages! I am quite fascinated (and a lil disgusted) at what my ankles look like. I have to lay low on the sodium and keep drinking water!
We're also in "preparation for labor" mode. Since we're planning on a natural birth, it's "go time" to really kick exercises and stretches into gear. My cute husband is my "coach" and is taking this role seriously. Today, he was so adament on doing the exercises and stretches. But its good, I really need him to help me prepare my body for labor. We're entering a new phase of this pregnancy and of our marriage, really. He's getting to know my body more, too and I'm only going to rely on him more and more to help me out physically. Sometimes, I do fall into the trap of thinking "you have no idea what I'm going through" or "you won't ever have to experience the pains of labor" mentality and harbor feelings of resentment toward him for still being to live a normal functioning life. But he is taking such an active role in being my "coach" that I really think he WILL experience what I do and labor will be just as demanding on him. He already sacrifices so much to help me be more comfortable everyday and our marriage is becoming more of the reality "two become one". The TWO of us are sacrificing and preparing as if we were one person, in union, working together to bring the fruit of our love into this world!
God is so great and has blessed us beyond measure! I don't think its a coincidence that I'm due right after Easter, and that the most difficult part of pregnancy will be during Lent. God is refining me and my little family and bringing us even closer to the beauty of His Cross and His Glory. Amen, so be it!
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