Sleep and stupid sayings

I'm sure you have heard this saying "Make sure you get sleep now before the baby comes..." You will hear it more towards the end of pregnancy. Such a stupid saying. You are getting up several times a night for the bathroom. How is that good sleep? And it doesn't matter how much you sleep before baby gets here. It's not like your body stores the sleep away for later when you need it.

Here is another one "Sleep when the baby does." Sure. It works if your baby is a good sleeper. And mine kinda is. But seriously, I feed him at 10 PM. He sleeps 10:30-2. I sleep 11-2 maybe, if I fall asleep quickly. Then another feeding. Then maybe sleep 3-530 (not this morning bc I couldn't fall back asleep. Then another feeding. Then in the day time, he will take 30 minute cat naps. Don't sleep much then. Stupid saying. Ok that's my rant for the day. Lol

Nursing

So we have been adjusting to the new baby and big sister for 2 weeks now. We can only go one day at a time. Jeanne is doing good, wanting to help a little more than she needs to. We have to remind we daily about certain things she can't do. But overall, I think she is doing good with him.

For the last week, Hunter has had the fussy period each evening from ~5-10, varying each night. He is hard to calm, wanting to nurse constantly, and is hard to get to sleep. Last night, he nursed every hour-hour and a half. He would then act like I was out of milk (though it was not), and pull off getting mad. I was at the point of having Shawn fix a bottle of formula when he finally fell asleep. He won't even take a pacifier. I was at my wits end. I was certain we would be switching to formula full time today. 

I had a list of reasons to switch, including the fact that he cracked my nipple already, he fights one breast and prefers the other, I am tired of being the only one to feed him, and I hate the pump. 

But of course, my reasons to continue nursing outweigh those negative reasons. I know that nursing is the best option for us, so I will work through the rough patches. Having my husband by my side encouraging me is very helpful.

Hunter's Birth Story

We are so very excited to announce the birth of our son Hunter James. Here is how he came into the world (fair warning, TMI for some).

Hunter was due on Monday, Septemer 30. I had an OB checkup October 3rd. I wasn't dilated more than 2 cm. We planned a non-stress test for the following Monday, and said if he wasn't here by then, we would set a date for induction (we weren't going past 42 weeks of course). By this point I tried all the wives tails to naturally induce labor (pineapple, spicy food, intimacy with husband, stimulation, etc) and nothing worked.

On Friday, October 4 evening, the mucous passed. My husband and I tried once more to see if we could get things going. The next morning, I woke up with a contraction at 6:24 AM, went to the bathroom and saw the "show." I called my mom and she was on her way up.

By 7:30, the contractions were 30 minutes apart. They stayed that way for about 2 hours. Then they moved to about 20 minutes apart. They were this way about 2 hours. At 11:40, they were hitting 12-15 minutes and were getting stronger. By 1:30 they were 7 minutes apart. When my doula arrived at 2:15, they had been 3-4 minutes apart. She checked and I was 5 cm. Off to the hospital we went!!

At 2:50, the nurse at the hospital checked and I was 7 cm. Time was flying! I got into the labor tub for about 30 minutes and could feel a lot of pressure with the contractions. With that next check,  I was 9.5 cm and got ready for pushing. I was able to push in several positions, and worked hard at that for a little over an hour. At 5:15 PM, Dr. Jones broke my water and Hunter was born at 5:25 PM. As we learned in the class, at the end I felt like nothing I was doing was good and I just kept asking for them to take him out, that I couldn't do it anymore. My husband, who was a wonderful support this whole time, and my doula Amy, as well as the nurses and Dr. Jones kept telling me I was almost done and I was doing great. I did manage to make it through unmedicated. I think I succeeded because my labor went so quickly; I didn't have a choice at the end because it was too late!

Here is our boy Hunter, weighing 8lbs 12 oz!! Our little family is overjoyed! Thank you so much Cora for this class. Without it, I wouldn't have made it through labor as easily. I remembered all the relaxation techniques. I did have a focal point when I started pushing, but I lost it as I allowed the pain to take over. That may be why I got scared at the end. Doesn't matter because he is here!

Unconditional

So, I am getting closer to the end!! I still have 2 weeks until my due date, so I am doing my best not to be impatient or complain about being “ready” to go. I am having the end of pregnancy pains and aches, but I know each one is my body working to prepare for the big day. We are all getting very excited for our little one’s arrival. Jeanne thinks she is ready, but I don’t think she fully understands what it means to have a baby in the house. All the babies we have over all go home at some point. LOL

So I have been continuing my prayers and focusing on our marriage since I completed the Wife After God devotional. I feel like I am doing a great job of opening my heart completely to my husband more. Of course I still catch myself falling back sometimes. Then today, someone posted on my Facebook wall a list Five Deadly Terms Used By A Woman. That person told me I should show it to my husband. I deleted it pretty quickly, so I can’t remember what all it said. I think one was “Wow. This is not a compliment. She’s amazed that one person could be so stupid.” I deleted it because I don’t think it’s funny, and I do not need to share it with my husband. After all the soul searching I have done to help myself be a better person, wife, mother, the last thing I want is for someone to see that and comment to my husband about it.

I try to not let issues get to me and then be bitter towards him because I don’t think he deserves my love, like I used to. I do my best to mean what I say in conversations to him, and love unconditionally.This is a very hard concept to take on if you truly think about it. I think it is even harder to like unconditionally. I have always heard people say “I love you, but I don’t like you right now.” It is very easy to fall into that, thinking that your husband doesn’t deserve your full affection right now because he _______ (fill in the blank). Through the bible passages, readings, and continuous blog posts by others, I have realized that train of thought is ridiculous. Would I want God to say, “Ada doesn’t deserve my love and attention today because she did ________”? NO!! If I had a conversation with Jesus admitting my sins, would I want him to say “That’s ok,” and him mean “I am thinking long and hard on how and when you will pay for your mistake”?? NO!! We are told in Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter went up to him and said, 'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?'  Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.” So how is it ok for me to hold things against my husband when I am hoping that Jesus forgives me for my fallouts, forgetfulness, negativity, and sins?

So I challenge you to not “like” or even comment on such postings, pictures, shares, etc. that have women talking down on men/husbands. If someone ever posts such things on your wall (if you have social media), please delete them. This is not a good representation of how women should act.

Fun Times

First, I wanted to share some of my maternity photos that my great friend took. We met at War Memorial Park last Saturday morning. We got a bunch of poses and she did a great job for being an amateur.

While Shawn was away this weekend, we had some much needed Jeanne and Mommy time. I took her to get a haircut, and she cried the entire time. It was a bit overwhelming for me because I kept telling her she needed to calm down or she was going to get a time out. I could feel other parents staring at me. What did they want? Me to rip her out the chair and leave? She needs to overcome whatever fear she had. The lady only trimmed her hair. No biggie. Jeanne calmed down of course as soon as the lady was finished. Ugh. I wanted her to get her nails painted, but she lost out on that due to her crabbiness.

Next we went to the mall. I had planned previously on taking her to Build a Bear to make a new friend. She had recently found a special stuffed animal I bought for Hunter and decided it was hers. I let her play with it a few days, thinking she would get over it as she does all the other toys she has accumulated from family, but no. So I thought if she made her own animal that she got to pick out, it would help. She really enjoyed making it and loved her new friend. She did try to find Hunter's animal a few times, and I had to keep telling her she had her own friend and she could no longer play with Hunter's. I am hoping she will forget about the giraffe after a few days.


We ate lunch at Chick-Fil-A and I was planning on taking her to see a movie yesterday afternoon. Well, once we got home, I was exhausted. We did a lot of walking at the mall. Then, she didn't take a nap (meaning neither did I), so the movie was out. I took her grocery shopping (more exercise for me) and she enjoyed that just as much. She has only been to a movie theater once, so she really wasn't bummed about not going. We made homemade cinnamon rolls for dinner, and they were fantastic!!

We planned on going to a splash pad at the park this morning with one of her classmates, but she woke up with a cough. Shawn is on his way back now, and we are both looking forward to his return. Check out this shirt I got from unveiledwife.com and am so excited to wear! It will have to wait a few more months though. Get yours now! Oh and that is the infamous giraffe. Isn't he cute!!

Never take things for granted

As I sit here in bed, sipping a good cup of Community Coffee, I'm listening to my little girl snoring softly next to me. Her daddy went visit friends for the weekend, so I let her climb into my bed last night. My little boy is already kicking away in my tummy. Oh, how I have enjoyed this pregnancy, even through the sickness and aches. I look forward to meeting him

In a few weeks. 

As I look at my beautiful daughter, my heart fills with sadness and joy. Sadness because she has grown so much in three short years. Joy because I look forward to being a part of her journey as she continues to grow and discover new things. I remember her being so little and wanting her to learn to walk, talk, and be more independent. Now there are times I wish she would sit still, not be so loud, and need me a little more. Ha!

With my husband out of town, I realize how much I have depended on him these last few weeks. How much I miss him. How much I love him. And this makes me realize I need to show him how I feel when he is here. My husband is a wonderful man who works hard each and every day to help our family. And he is such an awesome father. 

It's funny how once they leave for a few days you realize how much they mean to you. At least I know he will return at the end of the weekend. I have someone close to me who lost her husband very suddenly 2 years ago. Everyday she goes through the sadness of him not being there. I don't think she ever took him for granted. She knew how amazing he was and his children knew he was a awesome father. But as I am reminded of her loss, I realize I need to take the time every day to appreciate my husband, and tell him how much I love him. Because you never know when God will call your loved ones home. 

Nearing the end!

So with about 6 weeks left, I am trying to finish all my lists and get everything ready. We already have his bed set up and his part of the room decorated. I have his clothes washed and saved as well as his cloth diapers. My coworkers decided they have to throw me a shower because this is my first pregnancy with them. So I did the painful task of making a registry at Babies R Us. Painful you ask? Yes. It was terrible trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to put on my registry while looking up and down the aisles at the store. At least it wasn't as hard as the first pregnancy when I had no idea what I needed.

I have entered the "end of pregnancy fatigue" stage. It hit me like a ton of bricks this go round. Probably because I am chasing a toddler around after a full day at work. But, I find myself laughing a lot these last few days at work and I feel extremely happy. So, I think I am doing well.



I have completed the devotional Wife After God, and am so happy I bought the book. See my review here. Whether he sees it or not, I feel closer to my husband. Being a little more worn out lately, it is harder for me to be as excited as I should be when I see him, but I am trying. It is the little things that count. Starting with hugs when he (or I if I am later) gets in from work, praying deeper for him and our marriage at night, telling and showing him that I love him are all things that are working to make our marriage closer.

I have found a new website to follow, the Happy Wives Club. Today's article is titled "The Husband Gratitude List." After reading it, I think I will start one in my journal that I did the devotional in. So to start my list, 1.) My husband is a wonderful father! Have you started your list yet?