Thursday, July 19, 2012
Keeping a Journal
My sister, my dad, and myself went to dinner the other night. He was telling
us how important it is to write events and fun things that the kids did. He
said he would try and remember things and as years go on it gets harder. I
completely agree. I was just trying to remember somethings Ahlyssa was doing 3
years ago and I couldn't. I'm grateful that I had written a lot down. Now that I
have two kids its even harder but I want to have these things for them when
they get older. So I am going to try and rededicate myself to journaling.
Holidays, Dance, Vacation and a Wedding We've Missed
I haven't posted a single thing about any holidays, dance, or our Great Wolfe Lodge vacay here, so its going to be short and sweet with a picture or two.
Circleville Pumpkin Show-it was FREEZING we only stayed for about a hour
Pumpkin picking at Dill's Farm. This farm was so cute. There was hay to play in, pumpkins to pick, petting zoo, a train ride, a tractor ride, and corn to play in. It was fun for us too!
Ahlyssa is a SpongeBob lover--yes I did just admit that. I really am a good mom, I promise.
Finding the perfect pumpkin
Craving the pumpkins
and posing with the Dora pumpkin
Kitty cat for Halloween. She won cutest costume at Ward Halloween party.
Thanksgiving and when we announced we were pregnant with #2!
Decorating for Christmas
I was in charge of our Polar Express Ward Christmas Party-here we are with the Conductor (Brian if you couldn't tell)
Telling Santa she's been a good girl
Christmas morning-so happy!
My beautiful baby girl in her Christmas dress
Turning 3!
Birthday fun at Build-a-Bear
Ahlyssa's Dora themed birthday party
First Tap Dance
The eggs she colored and so proud of them and posing in her Easter dress a week later. She was sick on Easter Sunday as she has been 2 out of 4 Easters.
Chris and Kayla's Wedding. Brian was best man and Lys was flower girl. I was super sick and ended up in the hospital the next day due to dehydration and had Paigers about a month later :))
Our last hooray before Paige was born. She had a blast at Great Wolfe Lodge!
Swimming and hanging out with daddy! She LOVED every minute of it!
Paige's first holiday. In their matching 4th of July outfits!
Whew! What a trip down memory lane! ;) Hopefully I won't have to do that again and keep up the journaling.
Family Fun Day
We went to Brian's work. They have an annual family fun day. There was food and games for the kids. It was rather a warm day but Ahlyssa loved it. She loved going on the big slide with daddy. She wanted to go alone but she wasn't tall enough. She went into a couple bounce houses and I stood inline for cotton candy for 20 minutes that ended up melting. Oh well! Paige slept through most of the fun but woke up to eat then go right back to sleep! The 3 of them were out on the way home.
Paiger's One Month
11 lbs and 21.5 inches long
It's been a rough month. Many sleepless nights and many crying days. We had a trip to the ER to see if you might have been aspirating into your lungs. Everything was clear but they said you had colic. I knew there was something more then that. We had some friends from church that offered to help and it has turned you into a different baby. You are so happy and content most of the time. You do still get stomach aches but we are able to get them resolved! Here are some things you've liked/done/have your first month with us.-Love your car seat and car rides.
-Still have all that dark brown hair.
-Sleep in your swing.
-Love looking at your big sister.
-Love sleeping on your tummy.
-Love Pandora, Hilary Weeks station.
-Your eyes are still a dark blue.
-Eat 3 ounces every 3 hours.
-You either sleep or cried the day away.
-Only smile in your sleep.
-You have laughed but you were sleeping, what were you dreaming about sweet baby?
-LOVE bath time.
-Size one diapers although you could still fit newborn but we ran out and because of good friends and family we have LOTS and LOTS of diapers so we moved to size one.
-Still in newborn or 0-3 month clothes.
We are so grateful to Heavenly Father for blessing us with you. We love you to pieces, Paigers.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Blessings and Power of Prayer
I didn't mention this in the story of how Paige came into this world and I want to remember it.
I had many blessings and many prayers offered during my pregnancy. The pregnancy was something so different than what I had experienced with Ahlyssa. During the labor we had another very deep earnest prayer to our Heavenly Father.
Because the epidural didn't work, as you can imagine I was in so much pain. I never knew that's how much it hurt. I figured I was getting an epidural so I never paid much attention to the breathing techniques that they teach. I recommend anyone expecting "expecting" to get an epidural, pay attention to the breathing techniques and practice them. I had no clue to how to tolerate that much pain. I was getting to a point where I couldn't control my breathing. Brian leaned in and asked, "Babe, what can I do for you?" I answered barely audible, "Pray." He say a prayer by the bedside as we were alone and it was quiet and asked that I could get through it and be able to handle the intense labor. I honestly thought I couldn't do it.
Heavenly Father is always there and always listening. Not much longer after Brian said that prayer, I was getting prepared to deliver Paige. As I was pushing I was so determined to get her out to end the pain. I know that Heavenly Father helped me focus and get my breathing under control to be able to deliver Paige. I am so grateful that I can call upon Heavenly Father anytime and all of the time in my case.
I had many blessings and many prayers offered during my pregnancy. The pregnancy was something so different than what I had experienced with Ahlyssa. During the labor we had another very deep earnest prayer to our Heavenly Father.
Because the epidural didn't work, as you can imagine I was in so much pain. I never knew that's how much it hurt. I figured I was getting an epidural so I never paid much attention to the breathing techniques that they teach. I recommend anyone expecting "expecting" to get an epidural, pay attention to the breathing techniques and practice them. I had no clue to how to tolerate that much pain. I was getting to a point where I couldn't control my breathing. Brian leaned in and asked, "Babe, what can I do for you?" I answered barely audible, "Pray." He say a prayer by the bedside as we were alone and it was quiet and asked that I could get through it and be able to handle the intense labor. I honestly thought I couldn't do it.
Heavenly Father is always there and always listening. Not much longer after Brian said that prayer, I was getting prepared to deliver Paige. As I was pushing I was so determined to get her out to end the pain. I know that Heavenly Father helped me focus and get my breathing under control to be able to deliver Paige. I am so grateful that I can call upon Heavenly Father anytime and all of the time in my case.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Birth of Paige Alexandria
It's true what they say about kids born after the first get shafted. I haven't taken nearly as many pictures of Paige as I did with Ahlyssa in the first few weeks and so I am here to apologize to Paige. (I will be printing this off and putting it in her "journal".)
May 29, 2012--I went to my regular scheduled doctors appointment, did the non-stress test, they re-took my blood pressure (as they always have to) and I waited for the receptionist to call me to checkout. My doctor comes around the corner and she pulls me into an exam room and says, "Well I'm sending you in to have the little one." I couldn't have been more excited!! Doctor was concerned about my blood pressure because at this point it was 150/96. This would make Paige 26 days early.
She ordered me to be at the hospital at 10 p.m. and they would get me hooked up to something that would thin my cervix.
May 30, 2012--6 a.m.--They started me on pitocin and magnesium sulfate (so I wouldn't seizure), an antibiotic (I think this was because she was so early but I'm not sure), and saline. They had given me a drug that was to help with contractions but it wasn't an epidural. I guess its to hold one over until the anesthesiologist can get to you. That drug was pretty dang good. Although luckily I didn't have to wait long. Unfortunately, with all the fluids I had going into me, the epidural didn't work. I had so many fluids going into my body that I had to have two of those IV poles to hold all the bags. That made it fun to go potty and as you can imagine I had to OFTEN!
We hung out for awhile and they came in at about 10:30 a.m. and broke my water. Because I had so much extra fluid, I was leaking fluid for a LONG time (TMI--sorry!). A little while after, the anesthesiologist came and poked me twice for the epidural. I was ok for a little while. I could feel a little bit and the nurses kept checking how much I was actually feeling my scratching my stomach. And at a certain point I couldn't feel the scratching on my stomach, BUT I could feel lots of pressure. I kept telling them that but they said there wasn't much that could be done. At this point I was still doing ok. About 1:15 p.m. was when I thought I was going to die (seriously-I did). A nurse came and checked my cervix and she told me I was at a 5 cm. I couldn't believe it. I was thinking to myself if the contractions are like this at a 5 how the heck am I going to survive them at 8-10?!?!
I was in so much pain I told Brian I wanted a c-section. He called the nurse in and I asked, "What do I do to get a c-section?" I can't remember exactly what she said, but basically I heard probably not gonna happen. She checked me at about 1:40 ish p.m. and she said, "Oh honey you are at a 9." Oh happy day not much longer! She left and I told Brian to go back and get her because I really need to push. And he kept saying "don't push babe." The nurse came hurrying back in with all kinds of other people and I kept telling them I need to push. Finally there was my doctor and I went to pushing and less than 5 minutes later Paige entered. I pushed like my life depended on it because I really felt it did because it was a killer. I was determined that if it was going to hurt this bad then I am going to push like no other and get her OUT and out she came at 1:52 p.m at 7 pounds 10 ounces and 19.75 inches long.
She came to the world not crying and blue. Brian wasn't allowed to cut the cord and they immediately started the things to get her worked up. I didn't really know what was going on. All I saw was Brian in tears (although I thought it was tears of happiness--really he was freaked out) and all the nurses looking at Paige (again I thought they just thought she was so cute or something--although she is--that wasn't why). Anyway they got her screaming and a decent pink color. Her temperature was low so she stayed under the warmer for a long while. Her cord was in a knot and the nurse called the placenta "fried". Not sure what that means exactly?
I got to stay on magnesium for awhile after and they had to continue to check my reflexes. But all is well and we both are doing so good. I just couldn't imagine if Paige was born at her due date (June 24) the size she could have been! We all love her to pieces.
May 29, 2012--I went to my regular scheduled doctors appointment, did the non-stress test, they re-took my blood pressure (as they always have to) and I waited for the receptionist to call me to checkout. My doctor comes around the corner and she pulls me into an exam room and says, "Well I'm sending you in to have the little one." I couldn't have been more excited!! Doctor was concerned about my blood pressure because at this point it was 150/96. This would make Paige 26 days early.
She ordered me to be at the hospital at 10 p.m. and they would get me hooked up to something that would thin my cervix.
May 30, 2012--6 a.m.--They started me on pitocin and magnesium sulfate (so I wouldn't seizure), an antibiotic (I think this was because she was so early but I'm not sure), and saline. They had given me a drug that was to help with contractions but it wasn't an epidural. I guess its to hold one over until the anesthesiologist can get to you. That drug was pretty dang good. Although luckily I didn't have to wait long. Unfortunately, with all the fluids I had going into me, the epidural didn't work. I had so many fluids going into my body that I had to have two of those IV poles to hold all the bags. That made it fun to go potty and as you can imagine I had to OFTEN!
We hung out for awhile and they came in at about 10:30 a.m. and broke my water. Because I had so much extra fluid, I was leaking fluid for a LONG time (TMI--sorry!). A little while after, the anesthesiologist came and poked me twice for the epidural. I was ok for a little while. I could feel a little bit and the nurses kept checking how much I was actually feeling my scratching my stomach. And at a certain point I couldn't feel the scratching on my stomach, BUT I could feel lots of pressure. I kept telling them that but they said there wasn't much that could be done. At this point I was still doing ok. About 1:15 p.m. was when I thought I was going to die (seriously-I did). A nurse came and checked my cervix and she told me I was at a 5 cm. I couldn't believe it. I was thinking to myself if the contractions are like this at a 5 how the heck am I going to survive them at 8-10?!?!
I was in so much pain I told Brian I wanted a c-section. He called the nurse in and I asked, "What do I do to get a c-section?" I can't remember exactly what she said, but basically I heard probably not gonna happen. She checked me at about 1:40 ish p.m. and she said, "Oh honey you are at a 9." Oh happy day not much longer! She left and I told Brian to go back and get her because I really need to push. And he kept saying "don't push babe." The nurse came hurrying back in with all kinds of other people and I kept telling them I need to push. Finally there was my doctor and I went to pushing and less than 5 minutes later Paige entered. I pushed like my life depended on it because I really felt it did because it was a killer. I was determined that if it was going to hurt this bad then I am going to push like no other and get her OUT and out she came at 1:52 p.m at 7 pounds 10 ounces and 19.75 inches long.
She came to the world not crying and blue. Brian wasn't allowed to cut the cord and they immediately started the things to get her worked up. I didn't really know what was going on. All I saw was Brian in tears (although I thought it was tears of happiness--really he was freaked out) and all the nurses looking at Paige (again I thought they just thought she was so cute or something--although she is--that wasn't why). Anyway they got her screaming and a decent pink color. Her temperature was low so she stayed under the warmer for a long while. Her cord was in a knot and the nurse called the placenta "fried". Not sure what that means exactly?
I got to stay on magnesium for awhile after and they had to continue to check my reflexes. But all is well and we both are doing so good. I just couldn't imagine if Paige was born at her due date (June 24) the size she could have been! We all love her to pieces.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Catching Up
Woah! It's been a while. I decided that I would do an update since I've already watched American Idol and I'm not tired. Brian started second shift about two weeks ago and so going to bed it difficult some nights. He has been having Fridays off (as well as weekends) and I have LOVED it but he starts back next week to working five days so it's kind of a bummer! Ahlyssa has loved the switch to second shift. She loves waking up and he's home. She LOVES to wrestle with him and since its the morning he has more energy and they just have a blast. I love hearing her giggles when they play--it's so real and she has such a beautiful smile. I'm sure when he's driving at night those wrestling matches are taking a toll on him. ;)
Well we are doing pretty good. Ahlyssa has turned three but going on 15. I swear this girl seems so grown up. Sometimes I have to remind myself that the tantrum she is throwing or the stubbornness goes along with her age because she's only three! She's so smart and such a good little girl. She has such a sweet personality and loves to know what's going on and "help" with things around the house. She's pretty excited about becoming a big sister in June. Although I'm not sure how much she actually understands. She knows that "mommy has a baby in her tummy that will come out soon." Sometimes I'll hold my stomach and she'll ask, "Baby bite you?" It's quite funny the things she's says and seeing it from her perspective. We recently took the T.V. out of her room (Yes, I know the consequences of T.V.s in kids rooms). When we lived at Brian's parents house it just turned into a habit and it was one that seriously needed broken especially since her transition to her toddler bed. She'd get up a few times a night asking for it to be turned back and with baby #2 coming I don't want to deal with that and a newborn. She has done really well. We let her pick out any toy at the store and told her T.V. is gone and now as she is getting ready for bed she tells me that she is a big girl with no T.V. I feel so guilty putting her to bed with no noise (other than her fan) but it was the same feeling when we took the pacifier away. Anyway she surprises me how well she can adjust. She's my little baby girl.
Speaking of baby girl. Hopefully this little one will make her debut soon. This pregnancy has been SO different than Ahlyssa's. Everything started out good until about 15 weeks and started with high blood pressure. Then at about 21 weeks I had extra fluid. Almost to the point of abnormal but 2 weeks later they did another ultrasound and the fluid had gone down so they weren't too concerned. I still have a lot of fluid in there so I look like I could pop any minute and have looked this way for awhile. About 3 weeks ago I ended up in labor and delivery because I had felt so crappy for about 3 days. Stomach cramps (not contractions) and numbness in every limb and my face. I decided it was probably a good idea to go on in. I was apparently dehydrated--that is NOT a fun thing to do. My doctor said that in pregnant patients when she gets dehydrated your body sets off pitocin which causes contractions, but mine were labeled as "irritability". If that was "irritability" then I don't want to feel the "real" ones. I can't really remember with Ahlyssa any of the birth so I don't remember the contractions. Anyway last week I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and level 1 bed rest. I saw my doctor couple days ago and because its about impossible to rest when you already have children at home, she said if I don't rest, then complete bed rest is the next option and that one doesn't seem like fun! I'm trying hard to chill out when I can. Through all this I am just grateful to this opportunity to carry this precious little girl. I am grateful for the priesthood, the power of prayer and for modern medicine. I go for doctors appointments 2-3 times a week and as inconvenient as it is I am just glad that my doctor is keeping her eye close on my condition and as well as the baby's. When I was pregnant with Ahlyssa I never felt that bond that women say they get. Even when she was born I still had a hard time bonding with her for a couple months. I loved her so much but they hand you a person that you have to get to know just like anyone else. But the things that have gone on with this pregnancy has almost forced me into having that special bond. I've had several ultrasounds and 2 times we week I sit in a room with a heartbeat monitor on her and hear her heartbeat for a 1/2 hour with zero distractions-just me and her. (She hates the monitors so she moves almost the entire time!) 8 more weeks and then we will get to meet our second daughter!
Well next week we were supposed to leave for Myrtle Beach, SC but with my condition it wasn't possible so we decided to take a little trip down to Cincinnati and go to Great Wolf Lodge. Ahlyssa is super excited which makes me excited. It will be fun to take our minds off the some the distractions and have fun with our little girl before she becomes one of two! Another plus of not going to the beach--Marissa is going to prom the weekend we were going to be gone and now I get to see her all fancy dressed! I can't believe my little sister is going to prom, what the heck!?!
Well typing this blog post did the trick and I'm getting sleepy. Until next time...
Well we are doing pretty good. Ahlyssa has turned three but going on 15. I swear this girl seems so grown up. Sometimes I have to remind myself that the tantrum she is throwing or the stubbornness goes along with her age because she's only three! She's so smart and such a good little girl. She has such a sweet personality and loves to know what's going on and "help" with things around the house. She's pretty excited about becoming a big sister in June. Although I'm not sure how much she actually understands. She knows that "mommy has a baby in her tummy that will come out soon." Sometimes I'll hold my stomach and she'll ask, "Baby bite you?" It's quite funny the things she's says and seeing it from her perspective. We recently took the T.V. out of her room (Yes, I know the consequences of T.V.s in kids rooms). When we lived at Brian's parents house it just turned into a habit and it was one that seriously needed broken especially since her transition to her toddler bed. She'd get up a few times a night asking for it to be turned back and with baby #2 coming I don't want to deal with that and a newborn. She has done really well. We let her pick out any toy at the store and told her T.V. is gone and now as she is getting ready for bed she tells me that she is a big girl with no T.V. I feel so guilty putting her to bed with no noise (other than her fan) but it was the same feeling when we took the pacifier away. Anyway she surprises me how well she can adjust. She's my little baby girl.
Speaking of baby girl. Hopefully this little one will make her debut soon. This pregnancy has been SO different than Ahlyssa's. Everything started out good until about 15 weeks and started with high blood pressure. Then at about 21 weeks I had extra fluid. Almost to the point of abnormal but 2 weeks later they did another ultrasound and the fluid had gone down so they weren't too concerned. I still have a lot of fluid in there so I look like I could pop any minute and have looked this way for awhile. About 3 weeks ago I ended up in labor and delivery because I had felt so crappy for about 3 days. Stomach cramps (not contractions) and numbness in every limb and my face. I decided it was probably a good idea to go on in. I was apparently dehydrated--that is NOT a fun thing to do. My doctor said that in pregnant patients when she gets dehydrated your body sets off pitocin which causes contractions, but mine were labeled as "irritability". If that was "irritability" then I don't want to feel the "real" ones. I can't really remember with Ahlyssa any of the birth so I don't remember the contractions. Anyway last week I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and level 1 bed rest. I saw my doctor couple days ago and because its about impossible to rest when you already have children at home, she said if I don't rest, then complete bed rest is the next option and that one doesn't seem like fun! I'm trying hard to chill out when I can. Through all this I am just grateful to this opportunity to carry this precious little girl. I am grateful for the priesthood, the power of prayer and for modern medicine. I go for doctors appointments 2-3 times a week and as inconvenient as it is I am just glad that my doctor is keeping her eye close on my condition and as well as the baby's. When I was pregnant with Ahlyssa I never felt that bond that women say they get. Even when she was born I still had a hard time bonding with her for a couple months. I loved her so much but they hand you a person that you have to get to know just like anyone else. But the things that have gone on with this pregnancy has almost forced me into having that special bond. I've had several ultrasounds and 2 times we week I sit in a room with a heartbeat monitor on her and hear her heartbeat for a 1/2 hour with zero distractions-just me and her. (She hates the monitors so she moves almost the entire time!) 8 more weeks and then we will get to meet our second daughter!
Well next week we were supposed to leave for Myrtle Beach, SC but with my condition it wasn't possible so we decided to take a little trip down to Cincinnati and go to Great Wolf Lodge. Ahlyssa is super excited which makes me excited. It will be fun to take our minds off the some the distractions and have fun with our little girl before she becomes one of two! Another plus of not going to the beach--Marissa is going to prom the weekend we were going to be gone and now I get to see her all fancy dressed! I can't believe my little sister is going to prom, what the heck!?!
Well typing this blog post did the trick and I'm getting sleepy. Until next time...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)