Baby Talk 101

No matter how much you talk about people baby talking to their kids when you have one, trust me you will too. I am not talking about those people who do it because they think it's cute (you know what I mean..and trust me it's not) when there are no babies around. Here are just a few I have picked up in the past 3 weeks (he is growing up so fast :( )


Baby Poop- Doodle, Dooky
Baby Pee- Pee Pie
Baby wee wee- Bird, pee-bug
Baby Burp- "that old nasty buhp"
Diaper- Dipey
Snot- Boogies
Nasal Aspirator- Boogie Sucker
Caden Alexander- Sugar Booger, Baby Bear, Turd (pronounced "tuhd")
Chad- Daddy, Papa Bear
Jen- Mommy

Yeah, [Mary] you think I am crazy now but when you have your own "widdle" one you'll see. :) It changes everything.This doesn't even encompass all the made up songs LOL.

Baby Boy

I am a mommy now...even in print it's still a little unbelievable. I thought these days would never come. The feeding every 3 hours and constant diaper changes(pee pies and doodles) are nothing if not a reality check. Still for all the complaining I am sure I have done, I wouldn't trade our little baby for anything. He is a miracle beyond my wildest imaginings. He is mommy's little boy and daddy's little "sugar booger" :) and I can no longer picture my life without him or Chad in it. My very own little family. Chad adores him and it is so sweet to watch and Caden loves his daddy. He sleeps so peacefully in Chad's arms. They say that babies can hear sounds and voices in the womb and I am sure he recognizes Chad's voice from when he was talking to my protruding belly. He is such a good baby. We are very lucky. Hopefully that doesn't change. He's already a little spoiled though. I am going to blame that on Chad *hehe* but that is what daddy's are for. I am still not too great at the diaper changes but I am getting better. Practice makes perfect I guess. I am making up for all the times that Chad had to change them in the hospital. I have somehow managed to avert being peed on Chad wasn't so lucky and he has managed to pee in his own face but I am learning...(when the bird is up watch out lol). I have managed to stick with breasfeeding for over a week but I am getting ready to switch to formula. I feel like such a defeatist but it will make life so much simpler. Maybe that is selfish but three hours comes fast and it would be easier if I wasn't the only one who could feed him and easier to monitor how much he is eating. He is such a beautiful baby too (If I do say so myself :) ) He looks just like Chad's baby pictures. I am going to have to scan them when I get time and get home to my scanner. That is probably the hardest part right now, not being able to go anywhere without asking someone to take me. I am not allowed to drive for 2 weeks and it's killing me to be so dependent. Not that I don't appreciate the help...trust me, I do. I just feel like a burden sometimes. I have lost 13 pounds so far. I guess 8 lbs 3 oz of that was baby.

I started this in the hospital

*Sigh* The last 3 days have been exhausting. I suppose most of you have heard that the baby is finally here. If not, here's the scoop. My water broke between 5:30 and 6:00 am on Wednesday morning (In the middle of writing a letter to Caden of all things). After waiting for Chad to get to Winchester from work we headed for the hospital. By the time I got here and into the triage room I was already dilated a 5. The contractions had progressively gotten worse and it was hard work waiting for the anesthesiologist to get to my room with an epidural...go ahead, call me a wuss, I don't care...I expected to gauge all pain scales afterwards on that but, truth be told, the memory is fleeting. After my epidural I barely felt the contractions- from the waist down, I barely felt anything. Luckily Chad and his family were there for support. I apologize, if at any point I was bossy, snippy or otherwise belligerent. :) We were expecting a baby by noon but after two hours of pushing the doctor attempted to use forceps and decided that the baby was just too big to come out that way. I was so upset when I found out that I had to have a c-section. I could hear Chad's family around me praying and I did praying of my own but I couldn't help the wave of emotion. I tried so hard to bring him into this world and I was frustrated that I couldn't do it or that maybe I hadn't pushed hard enough or correctly or even at the right times. What if I missed some contractions because I couldn't feel them. I felt so defeated and on top of all of that I was afraid for me and the baby. I was afraid that something would go wrong and I would leave Chad all alone to raise the baby (it didn't help when they had me sign a consent form in the event that a transfusion was necessary) and I knew it would be 2 more weeks of work I would have to miss and the vain side of me worried about the scar. There were just too many emotions at once. They didnt give me any general anesthesia but the last things I remember were being laid down with my arms spread out and my neck hurting. They covered my face and I remembered Chad coming in and telling me that he was there with me and kissing me and I remember the baby crying. After that, I guess I was just so exhausted that I fell asleep because the next thing I remember is them moving me from the OR table back to the bed. After that it was uncontrollable shaking. Chad said the baby was crying before he even came out and that he tried to show him to me but I barely opened my eyes. I remember Jodi and Mary being in the labor room when they brought me back in. My first images of our baby boy came via a camera and when they brought him back in the room I couldn't hold him because I was afraid of dropping him I was shaking so bad. They said it was my body's normal reaction to stress. Things have been pretty hectic since then with nurses in and out....

Monday Monday

Here it is, the second "working day" of my leave. As Caden is still intent on staying safe and warm in my tummy- I have decided to unpack my laptop and make another attempt at blogging (just trying to have everything ready for the hospital when the time comes...and St Joe has WIFI in the recovery room :) gotta have it ready to send those first adorable pics...oh and to keep chad occupied). My last Dr's appointment was on Friday. The baby's heartbeat was 140. I have gained another two pounds- which is not surprising since I lost a pound the week prior. Dr Greene guesstimated, by touch, that Caden is around 7 1/2 lbs. I was dilated 2 1/2 centimers (still not enough and, since I wasn't having any contractions at the time, he didn't think it was necessary to send me to the hospital then :( ) I suppose that is all fine and well that he isn't in a hurry to induce me at my whim. I am. however, being a little selfish I suppose. I am very uncomfortable (that's what they teach you to call pain in those childbirth classes LOL) and tired of carrying his fat little butt. I am also anxious to see him - and of course to share him with the rest of the world..but most of all, I am excited at the prospect of seeing his Daddy hold him in his arms for the very first time. My camera is packed, so someone please get a picture of that for me. I am sure I will be too exhausted. Chad is just as anxious/nervous as I am- if not more. It's very sweet actually. I am sure when the time comes I will be wired, but for now I am just ready for some sign that it's time to make our way to the hospital. My next visit is Friday the 12th (haha better than Friday the 13th), my appointed "due date" but the doctor said I should not expect to keep it. He, in his infinite wisdom, seems to think that we will be holding our baby before the week is out. Until then I will just have to occupy myself with cleaning and moaning and groaning. I will try to keep you posted.

Come On Already

My “due date” is a week from tomorrow and the countdown is on. In truth, it has been on for a while. I am so ready to have this baby but he isn’t cooperating. I am beginning to think I am going to be prego forever. YEEHAW. At least I only have to make it 6 and a half more hrs before my leave starts. Not dragging my butt to work every morning will be a plus. I am sure once I start getting my reduced paychecks, I will think differently. Not sure how I am going to manage that. I am the world’s worst at managing money, but I know-somehow, I will survive. Before, when I thought about labor it was a distant scary day looming in the future. Now I think it can’t be as bad as being pregnant any longer. It means that it is almost over and then the real fun can begin. I don’t know how I am going to handle being a mother. Even after 9 months it does not seem real to me. I know Chad will be wonderful but I just don’t know how I am going to do it. Luckily, I will have help.

Oi Vey

Sadly I did not go into labor this weekend as I had hoped, though I thought for sure Saturday would be the day/night. No contractions, yet, but there are other kinds of pain. Thank goodness Chad was there to rub me down and massage me when needed or I might not have made it. Just 18 more days until my due date and there is no way I can make it till then. Chad seems to have faith in me but, after listening to me whine all weekend, I just don’t see how. He didn’t seem to think that they would induce labor if he took me to the hospital last night :(. I go back to the doctor tomorrow so maybe then *crossing fingers*. I was originally hoping to get a week off work before to tie up loose ends (starting September 5th) but, at this point, I just want the waiting to be over. I have my labor bag, suitcase and Caden’s diaper bag packed with all the essentials and the guys at the fire department installed his carrier on Saturday so, in that respect, I am ready. I also had a pre-delivery class on Friday and I have all the consent forms filled out and ready to be signed and witnessed and Pre-patient registration was completed online weeks ago. This coming Friday will be two weeks from my due date but I just don’t see how I am going to make it through the work week without a complete nervous breakdown. I don’t even know if I will make it past Monday :(. In other, closely related, news I am trying to get rid of my cats (see my myspace bulletin). They are driving me beyond the brink of insanity and the stress is too much for me right now. I would like to get rid of them before I strangle them in a fit of rage. Nevermind the normal woes of pregnancy that keep me from sleeping through the night- them waking me up every 2 hrs is more than I can handle. I cannot tell you how badly I need to rest- guess I should get used to that huh….but babies don’t turn over trash cans, shed hair everywhere, puke up hairballs and I am sure diapers cannot be as bad as keeping up with a litter box and eventually the baby will understand what the word no means- I don’t think my cats ever will.

Look At That Beautiful Face!

36 weeks and 4 days today. I will be 37 weeks on Friday, which means that technically I will be considered full term. I went back to the doctor today for an ultrasound and another routine visit. I have gained another 2 lbs which puts me at a whopping 173 lbs. YEEHAW. 6lbs and 7oz of that is all Caden :) YUP…our little boy is growing just fine :) He is already 5 oz bigger than Chad’s newest nephew (Landon) when he was born. It’s all that I could have asked for and more. We are still sticking with the original due date (September 12th) though Dr. Greene says he might even be a little bit early. I am already about 1 centimeter which means that my cervix is starting to thin- just waiting for the contractions. We still have weeks to go but as the time gets closer it gets more exciting. Our little precious baby will be here soon!!! Back to the doctor next week and every week after until he gets here.

Tick-Tock Tick-Tock

Kiddos I would say now is the time to start leaving your phones on. 28 more days but that doesn’t really mean anything. I am exactly 36 weeks today. Give or, in my opinion, take. I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes a little bit early (not too early though I hope). As the time gets closer I can feel my body starting to change and get ready. It’s getting harder to walk, for one thing and it feels like I have been doing splits. I can eat a little more now without feeling full which tells me that he has to have dropped some. Our little boy is on his way :)! I am still nervous about the whole labor aspect but I feel better now that I am a little more informed. (Not that I will learn everything in one 5 hr birthing class- but it helps). I am nervous but ready to get it over with and I am a little more confident knowing that the person I love the most will be there beside me helping me through it. God willing, nothing major will go wrong. Oh..did I mention that I am ready to take a break from work????

A New Blog Has Come

Nearly two months to go. Am I any more prepared than I was 7 months ago? Not really. Oh, I have the crib, bassinet, stroller, carseat, baby shampoo, mittens, onesies, etc etc…most of the things that babies need (Thank You ALL for the wonderful shower and gifts.) and I am only slightly less nervous about the actual process of giving birth but I am NOT ready to raise a child. I do well to keep my cat’s litter changed and keep them fed. Now I have to worry about a pediatrician, medical care, education, babysitting, feeding, diapering, umbilical cord care, no more alone time ever-etc., etc., etc. Babies are not to be neglected. I just don’t know if I possess the sanity for it all. I want to be a good mother, but will I be? I think I am fine with other people’s kids- but how in the world am I going to handle one of my own? How will Chad handle it? Yeah, sure, he usually plays it cool and is way more supportive than I could ever have imagined or asked him to be but he has to be scared shitless too. I have no doubt that he is capable of feeding and burping, etc….(He is surrounded by babies) but I am not entirely sure he is ready to put his life on hold. I can’t really blame him- I have years on him and I feel like I have lived my life beyond the fullest (maybe just a tad too far over the edge sometimes) but I am not done living. I suppose I should think of all the adventures we will have with little Caden. I just worry that I wasn’t designed for this. Speaking of living, the whole contemplating your own mortality, it comes along with the territory. I lost my own mother at an early age and though I couldn’t have asked for a better guardian or mentor than my sister, I can’t help but wonder how my life might have been changed if she were still here today. I also wonder what would happen to Caden if something happened to me. Sure he is going to have a big family to look out for him but thought of leaving Chad alone to raise him without me or the thought of anyone mistreating him pains me. Anyway, blah blah blah right… This is why I don’t blog that often lol.

Monday Monday

It is soooo nice to have weekends off again! Friday Chad and I went to Lexington to eat and look around and Saturday we grilled out and went swimming and Sunday was a lazy day. I made waffles and bacon for breakfast and baked spaghetti for dinner and we lounged around all day watching TV and napping off and on. It was pretty uneventful, but nice. I did rearrange my kitchen cabinets some and wash a few dishes but it was nothing compared to eight hours on my feet dealing with half of Winchester. It was just me and Chad :) . Not much to report on the baby front. I am 28 weeks now (2/3 of the way through)- the beginning of the third trimester. Apparently something called Braxton-Hicks contractions (and more pain in general) start around this time. Not sure I am ready for that. In fact, I don’t think I am anywhere near ready for any of this. The house is still a wreck. I am trying to do a little at a time but sometimes I just don’t feel like doing much of anything. As long as I keep moving I am okay but once I sit down for an extended period of time it’s “lights out”. I go back to the doctor next Monday so hopefully everything will go okay with that. As far as I know they are just testing for gestational diabetes. I think this is the time when the doctor can do the 3d ultrasound if I want it. 150 dollars seems a bit frivolous when it won’t be much longer before we will see the baby anyway. If insurance covered it, which I am sure it doesn’t, then I might consider it but I don’t know that I am willing to spend the money to have it done, especially when there are other doctor bills that need my attention. I guess that is something Chad and I will have to discuss together. Me personally, I am content to wait and see first hand what our little man looks like.

Que Sera Sera

27 weeks and back to my boobs lol. So apparently (Chad's sister informed me yesterday), they no longer offer a pill to dry up breast milk if you decide not to breast feed. I googled this and the forum posters seem to think that it was taken off the market because it is no longer safe- which begs the question, was it ever? So that means if I get down to the last few weeks and change my mind I will have to suffer through leaks, pain and embarrassment. This does not sound fun to me at all. Maybe I could sell it… (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4744651.stm WIERD! ...yeah yeah it’s dated for 2005- I wonder about the latest news on this front) On to another subject: Chad’s newest nephew, Landon, has arrived! He is soooo tiny and fragile (6lbs and 3oz- though, from what I understand, is still bigger than his big brother Cameron). He is such a Doll (see for yourself), and…HE HAS HAIR! I got to see him yesterday and I was almost afraid to hold him for fear of breaking him. Chad got to see him on Monday and when I showed him the pictures from Tuesday he said he looked different lol. I guess they really do grow up fast. I think he looks like Cameron with darker hair. He definitely has Cameron’s eyes and nose and I guess I never really noticed until I saw the hospital picture of Mommy Jill how much they looked like her when she was a baby. All of the Jude babies are simply gorgeous and I can only hope that Caden is as fortunate. Will he get my little nose and Chad’s baby chipmunk cheeks and dark eyes or my high cheek bones and green eyes? We will have to wait and see. I hope he gets Chad’s hair, or hair period. I told Chad that if he was born bald we were going to cut off his fro (and trust me- he has one going on) and glue it to the baby’s head. He said that was why he was growing it lol. He is so silly. I can’t wait for the day when my two boys (my big one and baby one) meet for the first time. Chad is going to be a wonderful daddy.
P.S. Yesterday was my last night at Speedway! I survived! I will miss the people I worked with for the most part and some of our regulars but I definitely will not miss some of the general public. (The Addam's Family, the crazy lottery people and the less than hygenic)

Babies Babies Babies

Ten more working hours at Speedway. WOOT! Five tonight and Five tomorrow. I can’t wait. It will be so nice to have weekends off again. On the schedule for this week…clean, clean, clean. Oh and there is the shopping for a dress for both Mary and Christy’s wedding ( I am sure they don’t want me to come naked : ) ) and I have to get a swimsuit so I can go swimming (YIPPEE- It has been almost 2 years- maybe longer since I have been swimming). I also need to get some shorts to wear. It has been hotter than Hades outside, so I might have to shave my legs lol. No tanning bed for me, so I have to resort to self tanner or blind everyone…sorry. I am now at 27 weeks. It’s time to start counting kicks. Our little boy is getting more active by the day- which is reassuring. When I lay tummy to tummy with Chad he can feel even the smaller movements. Also, Chad’s sister (Jill) went to the hospital at 8 pm last night to induce labor- so we are expecting the newest member of the Strange family (Landon) any minute now. Hopefully they will keep me updated since I didn’t even find out till Saturday that she was going to the hospital. Tsk tsk. Now that I won’t have two jobs to keep me busy, maybe I can get some first hand experience by helping out. With only 3 months between them, Caden shouldn’t be at a loss for someone to play with. If that’s not enough there are always cousins Cameron (2), Dylan (4) and Skylar (who will be a year in September). Babies Galore. Oi Vay.

My mind is..."Gone With the Wind".

I realized yesterday that I only have to survive one more weekend (after this one) at Speedway. I am excited about the prospect of actually having two whole days off during the week but I am still worried about the lack of extra income. I am trying to learn how to budget and, let me tell you, it is hard. Does this mean that I will have to start keeping up with receipts and tracking every penny I spend? I am not good at keeping up with paperwork, period. I really don’t want to feel like I can’t do things that Chad and I enjoy doing because of money. I know I can probably survive but; don’t you ever get tired of just surviving? “As God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again.” LOL. How is that for waxing poetic…, er literary? I know if I try really hard (eating at home more, not being so frivolous with my money), I can make it. That is to say, I can support myself. I just hope, once Caden gets here, I won’t have to immediately go back to working two jobs again. It will mean calculating in diapers, wipes, formula (if I decide breastfeeding is not a viable option), clothing, etc, etc- all of the things that babies need. That is the part that scares me. Lord knows the state isn’t going to help me and it’s easy to say that my child won’t want for anything, though not even close to realistic. Realistically, I hope he has all he needs. We have a lot of the big stuff out of the way already (a place to live, a place to sleep, some clothes to wear and a new bassinet that some little angel (ahem, you know who you are) bought, but I have to worry about all the little things that add up and that are so easy to forget. I just need to exercise a little willpower when it comes to what I really want versus what I really need. Not working 13 hrs a day or even 7 days a week will give me more time to cook and hopefully manage to get organized. Who knows, I might even manage a few more winks. Heaven knows, I could do without all the added stress. I don’t think Chad knows what to do with me sometimes. It seems like I am always a step away from a meltdown. The little everyday things that really shouldn’t matter (getting stuck in traffic, breaking a hair band, you name it) are enough to catapult me into emotional chaos. I know it’s not healthy for me or the baby but, I tell myself, just a little more me time…that’s all I need. When you have trouble remembering where your light switch is, it's time for a break.

Update

Just a quick, short update- not much to blog about that is baby related today, other than- last night Chad saw Caden move and felt him kick for the first time. It was sweet. I was pressing down on my tummy with stethoscope again (even though, as previously mentioned, I can’t hear the baby yet) and he moved and made my belly jump. Chad saw it move a few times especially when I pissed the baby off and he kicked me really hard (still not big enough for it to hurt) and I had Chad put his fingers on my abdomen and he felt him kick once only he said it felt more like a twitch or jerk like an eye twitch. I was excited though because I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to feel him at all. Apparently, that happens. Chad said that he knew we were watching him lol. Maybe so.

Week 24

I went back to the doctor yesterday for my monthly routine appointment. I officially weigh 161 pounds. Officially, that is the most I have ever weighed in my life lol. Of course that is only 4 more pounds than what I weighed on the last visit 4 weeks ago so that is good and on target. Go me. According to What to Expect, “Your baby weighs more than a pound and a half right now and sports a crown-to-rump length of about eight and a half inches (standard letter size!). “ so only 160 and half of it is me (lol) The baby’s heartbeat was in the range of 150 and I actually “heard” him kick on the Doppler. He either doesn’t like the cold (definitely my child) or the pressure in general because he reacted the same way when I used Mary’s stethoscope to listen for his heartbeat. Unfortunately, the doctor says I probably won’t be able to hear him on a regular stethoscope until I am 32 weeks. I am only 24 weeks now :( I thought about seeing if Chad’s sister would let me listen to Landon’s heartbeat but she might find that weird lol. She is due next month, so- well past the 32 week mark.

Also interesting this week:

“Wondering what (and who) your baby will look like? If you had a baby cam, you'd almost be able to tell by now. That beautiful face (though still tiny) is almost fully formed. [I am hoping he looks like Chad :). He was such a pretty baby and he isn’t too shabby now if I do say so myself :) Lucky me.] ….”

I guess I will find out soon enough.

Time keeps on slipping slipping...

Christy said I should take some time this weekend and update my blog. Yes Mommy. I told her I didn't have time but here I am at 11:20 in the p.m. doing just that. I don't really have much to blog about other than, my feet hurt. I guess around this time is when all the fun starts happening, like leg cramps, swollen feet, heartburn. Good times. I don't know if my feet are actually swollen or if they just hurt from standing at the gas station. Luckily in 24 more days (June 11th)I won't have to worry about that. My days as an SSA employee will be over. I will miss the extra 3 or 400 month but I won't miss the added stress. Summer is on it's way and business is picking up. I don't know if I can make it 3 more weeks much less 4 more months. Chad's sister Jill has less than a month to go before she pops so I guess I should walk a mile in her shoes because I am sure I haven't seen anything yet. I have so much to do and right now I do not have the time to do it. I feel like I am living in a pig sty. It's mostly clutter right now but after picking up after everyone else all day it's hard to motivate myself to do anything but plop down on the couch when I get home. I did get some (but not all) laundry accomplished today and I put Caden's crib together (thanks to my sister Michelle who has saved me hundreds of dollars in baby stuff). Thanks to everyone actually. I think I would be more distraught at this point if I didn't have so much help from everyone. I am blessed. Like Mary says, the Lord always provides. I really need to vacuum but I keep putting it off. Partly because I have to get taller gates (cats can jump- who knew?). I know if I clean it now the cats will just get hair everywhere again, until I can find a way to keep them out of the bedroom, and mostly because I just havent had time or when I do- I don't feel like it. I have to believe it will get done it just seems that time is flying by. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday. Wish me luck. As many of you know this chapter in my life wasn't exactly planned but I don't know what I would do if anything happened to our little baby. He isn't here yet but he is already a part of my life and Chad's and I can't imagine our future without him.

The "P" word continued...

continued from previous post below...

I am not kidding you here. My middle name should be Procrastination [Jennifer Ann Procrastination Adkins-Adkins-Adkins nee Adkins]. Alas, it’s a bit lengthy. It is a wonder I ever get anything done. I either don’t have time or when I do have time I just don’t feel like it.
Today, I fully plan to work on the flowers in the yard. As you can see, the poppies and irises have started blooming. This really counts as fun for me, but I can rationalize. This weekend, provided I get the day off, I will hopefully make it to Greenup County to pick up the baby stuff that my sister is giving me. I know that there is a playpen and a high chair and car seat and bouncer and who knows what else, but I really need to get a move on so that I can actually see what I do have, as opposed to what I don’t have and still need. I need to clean the carpets and put up gates to keep the cats out of the bedroom and dust and finish cleaning out the closet and the list goes on. I don’t know how I will ever be done by September. Pray for me.


P.S> screw blogger for truncating my post.

The "P" Word

I told Julie that I was going to devote a blog to peeing and heartburn lol. Not that I couldn’t ramble on for hours (well at least 20 minutes) on the subject, but I doubt that anyone would appreciate the effort. But seriously, I don’t think I have gone to the bathroom this much in my life. Just yesterday I discovered that we had hand sanitizer dispensers positioned outside the “facilities” at work that have, according to Mary, been there for 3 years. THREE YEARS….seriously?? I never noticed. I have gone from once or twice a day (yeah I don’t drink enough liquids) to 50 times. I can’t even give Jodi a hard time about her, as yet undiagnosed, diabetes and multiple trips to the little girl’s room. Sad.
Being the “new mommy geek” (thanks Christy) that I am, of course you know I am going to Google peeing and pregnancy and all I can say is THANK GOODNESS I haven’t experienced incontinence yet. Go ahead, Google it. It will make you feel better. If you need to break it down a step further and have loss of voluntary control of excretory functions defined, I will just tell you….It’s called pissing on yourself. This happens to some pregnant women. Lovely, eh? I haven’t pissed my pants yet, but if I do- promise not to laugh at me. I will stop there. “The day may come when the courage of men fails” and I devote an entire blog to the subject, but “it is not this day”.
I find myself becoming increasingly less embarrassed about the facts of life as this whirlwind continues. I mean, this is the girl who used to be embarrassed to be seen buying feminine products. (Still not a subject that is appropriate for mixed company, lest my proclivities on the topic go unnoticed.)
I digress.
Today’s blog is [mostly] dedicated to the story of my life, procrastination. Our little guy will be here before we know it (128 days, give or take a few-but not too many) and I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything in the way of preparation. I am over halfway there. Five months seems like a long time but then I think about how the previous five have flown by. Last night I actually made some progress in cleaning out one of my closets to make room but, I swear, I am not even close to being done. My problem is that I am a pack rat. There, I said it. If it holds a memory or the least bit of sentimental value, it’s probably stuffed in a box somewhere. As of last night, I still had old letters that my first college roommate and I sent to each other when she commuted. I actually found an email print out from 1996 to an old friend listing memories of things that we had done together that should never be forgotten. Guess what, I don’t remember half of them. Of course much of my college life I spent in an alcoholic daze. At least I have grown out of that. There were a few things on the list that cracked me up and brought back a funny story (chicken and chow mien rice, fire water) but I don’t suppose it’s doing me much good in a box. I was so proud that I actually narrowed two plastic storage boxes down to one but there were things I couldn’t bring myself to toss. I still have literary works of art from high school (please, let’s don’t reminisce on how long ago that has been- ugg) and poems that I have written. I just can’t toss those. You are with me on this, right??
I have also discovered that I have more tape dispenser refills than I will ever need and legal pads, oh and all sorts of crafty shiznit like card stock, poster board- that I will never use (thanks Christy for taking that off my hands). I found the latter when I was looking for a manila envelope to mail the rebate for Chad’s curve that has to be postmarked TODAY or I lose a hundred bucks.

Sea Monkey

Last night I was leaning back on a pillow on the couch and Caden was moving around like a monkey inside my belly (must have been the mt dew lol) and then all of a sudden I actually saw my stomach jump. It was amazing. I lay there watching my belly for a little while after. I am in week 22 now and our baby is getting bigger every day. Next week he should weigh around a pound. That's hard to imagine. I guess it won’t be long before Chad can feel him moving too. I hope so anyway. I read somewhere that sometimes they can’t feel the baby at all. Chad says that I wanted to feel him move and now the baby is going to beat me up lol. I said that’s ok, he’s just letting me know he’s there. I wonder what he will be when he grows up…an astronaut, a rocket scientist- I have high hopes :) I just hope I am there for every second. He is going to have a big family with plenty of surrogate aunts (hehe) to love him and nurture him and a daddy and mommy who love him, so I feel like he already has a big advantage.

“Week 21: The Baby's Movements

"Pregnancy's full of joys, and full of worries — and fetal movement, as you've already noticed, can provide you with plenty of both (often within the same day). Most of all, it can keep you guessing — a lot. Was that gas bubble a movement, or was it just gas? Is that too little movement I'm noticing or too much? Should the baby be kicking so hard — or is the baby kicking too softly? Are those octopus-like movements being made by a baby or a baby octopus?
Most women begin to feel movement somewhere between weeks 18 and 22, though veteran moms tend to feel the baby moving a little sooner than first-timers. Chalk it up to laxer abdominal muscles (there has to be some benefit to those!) or merely the fact that second-timers are more likely to recognize a kick when they feel it. Thinner moms-to-be may also feel movement earlier and more often than those carrying a lot of extra weight, since there's less padding to serve as insulation.
After feeling that first momentous kick (or was it?), it's not surprising you're aching to feel more. But a mom's perception of movement is very erratic during the second trimester. Though your baby is almost certainly moving continually, you probably won't be feeling it consistently until he or she is bigger and packing a more powerful punch. In fact, it's not unusual for a day, or two, or even three to go by during the early weeks of movement without hearing from (or, rather, feeling) your baby. It's not until the third trimester that you'll need to keep track of your baby's kicks; after 28 weeks, in fact, your practitioner will likely advise you to keep count once a day.
Still not sure if that was movement you felt in the first place? While every expectant mom will describe those first movements differently, some common descriptions include: flutters, butterfly wings flapping, gas bubbles, growling stomach, twitches, light tapping, like a little fish swimming. None of those fit the bill? Don't worry. Before long, those little movements will turn into bigger ones, leaving no doubt in your mind about what's going on inside your belly.
”
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Gotta love those What to Expect emails. So timely and a daily reassurance that I’m not alone and that it’s normal not to feel my “little fish” (that’s what I call him :) ) moving around.. Once you get past the puking in the first trimester and start the second, sometimes you have days where you don’t really feel pregnant, if that makes sense. You feel like you should be feeling different but you don’t then when you feel your baby move for the first time and see him growing inside you, there isn’t any doubt. Christy says it feels exactly like butterflies in your stomach, but I think it’s different for everyone. Personally, I like the goldfish swimming in a bag depiction or a flutter. And trust me you, you will no doubt tell yourself that what you were feeling around 17 weeks was just gas after all ( :) ) It’s an entirely different feeling and the more you get used to feeling it, the easier it is to distinguish. On the days I don’t feel him as much I always worry that something is wrong, but then- out of nowhere I will feel a baby giant kick (only it feels more like pushing from the inside out (like a goldfish in a bag), and even when he aims straight for my bladder I always stop and smile or chuckle and think “there’s my little boy”. Who knows, I might not be smiling so much a few months from now when he gets big enough to really let me know he is there. I think I will be smiling while I am working on my own defense tactics from Chad’s future linebacker lol. Right now I am looking forward to the added reassurance and mostly I can’t wait for the day when Chad puts his hand on my bulging belly and feels his baby boy kicking for the first time :) . I am trying to keep him involved as much as possible from ultrasounds to shopping for pants that fit :) (He can be a real sweetheart ( don’t ask his sisters about that lol :P) . Besides my baby bump and my nice new tatas, oh and my mood swings and frequent bathroom breaks and constant nagging- it might seem a little more real to him too. I like to tease him and I ask him what he is going to do when the baby comes out looking like him hehe. He doesn’t always tell me what he is thinking so I hope I am doing my very best to reassure him that life as he knows it, isn’t over. He’s still a pup and though I know he will be there to help me as much as he can, I don’t want him to feel burdened- even if that means diaper duty is more 80/20 than 50/50. He even offered to DD me after the baby gets here. (I know right :) ) He is definitely going to be the “cool parent”. I tell him I am going to worry constantly when the baby gets here and he tells me not to be like that. I guess it’s a blessing that it’s a boy or else I would wind up locking her up until she was 30 or be like someone I know and send horrible pics of what STD’s look like and tell her that’s what happens when you kiss a boy lol. Right now I am stuck at worrying about what will happen if stay on my back 2 seconds too long. Chad says he has never heard of this but apparently lying on your back during pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids, low blood pressure and may decrease the oxygen supply to the baby- something to do with all of your weight being on the inferior vena cava (vein that returns blood from the lower body back to the heart). I feel like such an invalid sometimes (not being able to do the things I would normally do for myself like climbing stepladders, heavy lifting). I am only 5 months now. I can’t imagine how much worse its going to be when I can’t bend down to paint my toenails or when I can no longer see my feet hehe. Good thing Mary offered to do that for me. What great friends I have. I know I complain a lot but as far as my friends and my Chad are concerned, I am blessed. Maybe it’s the hormones lol.

BOOBALICIOUS

• Along with all the moans and groans that pregnancy brings, it has its, shall we say "perks" lol. Baby boobs are awesome- especially when you had none to speak of before. :)
  Hey, if Alba can flaunt them proudly (mind you, I am no SUPASTAR and I’ll probably never make it to the Oscars)…
  Which brings us to the topic of the hour: Breastfeeding.
  I have been thinking about it a lot and I have almost talked myself into it but as natural as it is, it seems strangely unnatural to me. I’m weird I know. Here I am thinking, ok, I will do it but straight from breast to pump- no suckling here. LOL.
  I mean little Caden Alexander (a.k.a Alex P. Keaton, nee Chad jr.) deserves the best start in life, doesn’t he? I keep hearing- It’s like gold for babies and according to Christy Lou I am a bad mommy if I don’t…lol well she didn’t actually say that but that’s what she meant lol. She is definitely one of the staunchest supporters.
  So, among some of the many, many reasons to give it a try- here are some of the more personally motivational ones (however selfish some may be):
  
  
• "Breastfed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. About 80% of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Breastfed babies are protected in varying degrees from a number of illnesses including, pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles. Furthermore, mothers produce antibodies to what ever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight diseases their babies are exposed to as well." [I am immune from Rubella (chicken pox) not sure if that counts.]
• Formula Feeding is associated with lower I.Q. [I want my baby to be smarter than the average bear]
  Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. [less diarrhea sounds good to me :) ]
• The uterus of the non-breastfeeding mother will never shrink back to its pre-pregnant size. It will always remain slightly enlarged. "Nursing will help you to regain your figure more quickly, since the process of lactation causes the uterus (which has increased during pregnancy to about 20 times its normal size) to shrink more quickly to its pre-pregnancy size. "
• Many studies have shown that women who breastfeed have lower risks of developing breast cancer
• Breastfeeding satisfies baby's emotional needs and increases bonding between mother and baby. All babies need to be held. There is no more comforting feeling for an infant of any age than being held close and cuddled while breastfeeding. In fact, studies have shown that premature babies are more likely to die if they are not held or stroked.
• Breastfeeding stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin in the mother's body. "It is now well established that oxytocin, as well as stimulating uterine contractions and milk ejection, promotes the development of maternal behavior and also bonding between mother and offspring."
  
• Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing ovarian cancer
  
• Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is bornBreastfeeding requires an average of 500 extra calories per day and breastfeeding mothers who eat a normal diet lose the extra weight they gained during pregnancy faster than moms who choose to bottle feed. In one study, mothers who breastfed exclusively or partially had significantly larger reductions in hip circumference and were less above their pre-pregnancy weights at 1 month postpartum than mothers who fed formula exclusively. Other studies have also shown that women who were overweight when they began their pregnancies can safely get closer to their ideal weight by breastfeeding in conjunction with a moderate exercise program.
  
• Formula feeding increases risk of children developing diabetes
  
• Baby's suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage in motherNursing her baby causes the mother's body to release oxytocin, which stimulates contractions which help shrink the uterus back to pre-pregnancy size while expelling the placenta. These contractions also shut off the maternal blood vessels that formerly fed the baby and discourage excessive bleeding. Women who choose not to breastfeed must be given synthetic oxytocin to insure against hemorrhaging.
  
• Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies
  
• Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma
  
• Formula feeding increases baby's risk of otitis media (ear infections)
  
• Formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  
• Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections
  
• Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis
  
  
  And on and on ( if you want to read more: http://www.promom.org/101/ )
  Oh and have I mentioned…IT’S FREE.
  
  We shall see…so while I am googling “will my breasts sag”…lol check this out-
  
  This is soooooo weird….
  http://www.lightparty.com/Health/10ReasonsToBreastfeed.html
  
  No way in hell could I do that for 6 years!

20 weeks to go

So I had my ultrasound on Tuesday and for those of you who aren't in the know, It's a Boy. So, one countdown is over and another begins. Roughly 20 more weeks til our little Caden Alexander (how awesome is that name!) arrives. I can hardly wait. Excited, yes. Nervous and alot scared HELL YES! Everything looks normal so far so that's a relief but 20 weeks is still a ways to go. ( I have only gained 6 pounds since the last visit woohoo...applying the palmer's like crazy).I am trying to learn what I can by reading and doing my research but I know that is really nothing in the way of getting me prepared. Yes, Christy I know I can't learn how to be a mommy by reading a book :) but give me props for trying.