The boys are carving Reed's pumpkin while Giselle and I watch. :)
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
From the mouth of R...
Mommy: Get in the car Reed.
Reed: OK School bus driver! Hey, school buses don't have seatbelts.
M: They don't? How do you know that?
R: I learned it from the Berenstein Bears book!
M: Oh... hmmm interesting. I wonder why they don't have seatbelts...
R: Because they don't get into car accidents.
(We watched the news last night. There was a story about a school bus accident in Brighton. After the news, there was a show like ET and they showed stories about weddings gone bad - including one where the bride was arrested and there was footage of her in the jail cell. Apparently Reed was watching.)
M: They DO get into accidents though sometimes. There was a bus accident yesterday! No one on the bus got hurt though thankfully. We saw it on the news, remember?
R: Oh yeah. I saw that. Did the bus catch on fire?
M: NO! Why do you think that?
R: Because the firemen came!
M: No, the firemen came to help out and make sure everyone got out safe.
R: And then the police came and arrested them?
M: No... they police came to help out too.
R: Then why was that lady in jail?
M: What lady? ohhhhh the lady in the dress?
R: Yeah! That lady!
M: ummmm. I don't remember why she was in jail Reed. I think she made some bad choices.
R: What kind of bad choices?
M: I don't remember.
M: I don't remember.
R: Mom. Listen. You need to start remembering things. You need to pay attention to why that lady was in jail and when I ask you about it later, you need to try and remember.
M: laughing under my breath.... um. I'm sorry Reed. I'll try to be better. I was cooking dinner at the same time!
R: Ok - but next time, you need to remember.
Sound familiar EMX?
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The Double D
OK. So this post isn't about cooking - and it isn't even really about "food." But I'm feeling very hilarious today (or as EMX calls it, corny) and felt the need to write and share.
If you are a mom, and have breastfed, and have had the devil infection called mastitis, you can totally relate. If you are grossed out by nursing, you may wish to close your browser window now. :) That was your warning.
So I've been proudly nursing Giselle for 6 months. Actually - 6 months today! My original goal was 6 weeks. Which is one week longer than Reed drank breastmilk. During the first 6 weeks this time, I was lucky enough to get mastitis twice. AWESOME. (Sarcasm!) The first time was actually not bad because I caught it SUPER quickly. I knew what to look for having had it once with Reed, just a mere week into his life. The second time, however, was probably one of the worst few weeks of my life. I won't get into details about it now, but I literally thought I was dying. I got past that (THANK GOD) and continued to breastfeed semi smoothly until this past Sunday. I woke up tired, but felt fine, and then a few hours later - BAM. I knew I had mastitis. Went to urgent care and immediately got on antibiotics. It took a full 48 hours for me to feel human again, however, the nasty little (big) blockage has decided to keep on keeping on.
I've tried compressions, massage, heat, no heat, pumping, nursing. You name it, I've tried it. Nothing is working. So yesterday, I gave a call to Dr. Google to see if other moms had some suggestions. That is when I came across this advice... which I wish I could say worked for me, but it hasn't yet. It has however provided me with some laughter over the past 24 hours.
A few moms recommended letting gravity work with you, and said to do the following:
Get on all fours and place your baby on the floor. Position yourself over the baby and let the affected breast "dangle" over the baby while she nurses. That should hopefully help dislodge the blockage.
So. Cut to me last night. I had to go away from my other loving family members so that I could concentrate (read: not laugh). Another tip I knew about was to position the baby's nose toward the blockage to help drain it. So our position was me on my knees and left elbow, with Giselle's toes near my head, and my right hand compressing the heck out of the dangler.
It was like some kind of weird yoga pose, involving balance and strength. So, to commemorate the pose, I decided to give it a yogatastic name.
The Downward Dangle. Or - the Double D.
I hope you laughed. I know my cousin K will when she reads this. She gets me.
You're welcome. :)
What is the weirdest thing you have found yourself doing since having kids?
If you are a mom, and have breastfed, and have had the devil infection called mastitis, you can totally relate. If you are grossed out by nursing, you may wish to close your browser window now. :) That was your warning.
So I've been proudly nursing Giselle for 6 months. Actually - 6 months today! My original goal was 6 weeks. Which is one week longer than Reed drank breastmilk. During the first 6 weeks this time, I was lucky enough to get mastitis twice. AWESOME. (Sarcasm!) The first time was actually not bad because I caught it SUPER quickly. I knew what to look for having had it once with Reed, just a mere week into his life. The second time, however, was probably one of the worst few weeks of my life. I won't get into details about it now, but I literally thought I was dying. I got past that (THANK GOD) and continued to breastfeed semi smoothly until this past Sunday. I woke up tired, but felt fine, and then a few hours later - BAM. I knew I had mastitis. Went to urgent care and immediately got on antibiotics. It took a full 48 hours for me to feel human again, however, the nasty little (big) blockage has decided to keep on keeping on.
I've tried compressions, massage, heat, no heat, pumping, nursing. You name it, I've tried it. Nothing is working. So yesterday, I gave a call to Dr. Google to see if other moms had some suggestions. That is when I came across this advice... which I wish I could say worked for me, but it hasn't yet. It has however provided me with some laughter over the past 24 hours.
A few moms recommended letting gravity work with you, and said to do the following:
Get on all fours and place your baby on the floor. Position yourself over the baby and let the affected breast "dangle" over the baby while she nurses. That should hopefully help dislodge the blockage.
So. Cut to me last night. I had to go away from my other loving family members so that I could concentrate (read: not laugh). Another tip I knew about was to position the baby's nose toward the blockage to help drain it. So our position was me on my knees and left elbow, with Giselle's toes near my head, and my right hand compressing the heck out of the dangler.
It was like some kind of weird yoga pose, involving balance and strength. So, to commemorate the pose, I decided to give it a yogatastic name.
The Downward Dangle. Or - the Double D.
I hope you laughed. I know my cousin K will when she reads this. She gets me.
You're welcome. :)
What is the weirdest thing you have found yourself doing since having kids?
Friday, June 29, 2012
G.O.
I figured I would give a little background on the chosen name for the baby formerly known as "Kid B."
My paternal grandmother's name was Gisela. She was one of my favorite people in the world. We were fortunate enough as kids to live upstairs from my paternal grandparents. Nothing was better than going downstairs to see them, hang out, help them, make playdough, etc. We remained close even after my parents moved to a suburb and my grandparents moved to an apartment, and then ultimately decided to stay full time in Florida. I used to go and visit them a few times a year. When my grandfather passed away suddenly on New Year's Eve 2001-2002, it was a huge blow to our family. My grandmother remained in Florida, due to her chronic emphysema and MS. It was much easier on her body to stay in the warmer climate. We continued to visit as often as possible and I spoke with her on the phone weekly. Even through my college years, I would go and visit her during my "spring break." To me, spending time with her was more important and really more fun than partying it up in Cancun. :)
My grandma was one of the strongest women in the world. My grandparents used to tell the story of going to a wrestling match where one of the opponents was playing dirty. My grandpa said that all of the sudden, he saw a little woman climbing the ring, hitting the dirty opponent with her handbag. When he went to point it out to my grandma, he noticed that she was gone. It was her! My sisters and I LOVED that story.
My grandma survived WWII, living in Germany, hiding in the basement during air raids. She also told us of a time when her mother and grandmother dressed her up as an old woman so when the basement was checked, they wouldn't see a young girl and take her.
Because of our close relationship, I have always wanted to name my daughter, if I were ever fortunate to have one, Giselle, as a tribute to my Grandma "Jay." It makes me smile every time I think of Giselle, knowing that she is named after one of the most awesome people ever. :)
ps - how cute is she?????
My paternal grandmother's name was Gisela. She was one of my favorite people in the world. We were fortunate enough as kids to live upstairs from my paternal grandparents. Nothing was better than going downstairs to see them, hang out, help them, make playdough, etc. We remained close even after my parents moved to a suburb and my grandparents moved to an apartment, and then ultimately decided to stay full time in Florida. I used to go and visit them a few times a year. When my grandfather passed away suddenly on New Year's Eve 2001-2002, it was a huge blow to our family. My grandmother remained in Florida, due to her chronic emphysema and MS. It was much easier on her body to stay in the warmer climate. We continued to visit as often as possible and I spoke with her on the phone weekly. Even through my college years, I would go and visit her during my "spring break." To me, spending time with her was more important and really more fun than partying it up in Cancun. :)
My grandma was one of the strongest women in the world. My grandparents used to tell the story of going to a wrestling match where one of the opponents was playing dirty. My grandpa said that all of the sudden, he saw a little woman climbing the ring, hitting the dirty opponent with her handbag. When he went to point it out to my grandma, he noticed that she was gone. It was her! My sisters and I LOVED that story.
My grandma survived WWII, living in Germany, hiding in the basement during air raids. She also told us of a time when her mother and grandmother dressed her up as an old woman so when the basement was checked, they wouldn't see a young girl and take her.
Because of our close relationship, I have always wanted to name my daughter, if I were ever fortunate to have one, Giselle, as a tribute to my Grandma "Jay." It makes me smile every time I think of Giselle, knowing that she is named after one of the most awesome people ever. :)
ps - how cute is she?????
Monday, April 23, 2012
It's a.....
GIRL!
Giselle Marie born 4/11 at 4:39 am. We are sooooooo in LOVE! I'll post the birth story below for all my mommy friends. If you do not want to read a birth story - DO NOT CONTINUE. :)
Tuesday afternoon, I had my 37 week appointment and an ultrasound that I requested to check the weight of Kid B. After the labor and ultimate Cesarean delivery of R, I was concerned that I was growing another linebacker baby. I believe the exact words of our pediatrician at R's first appointment were, "Congratulations! You gave birth to a 1 month old!" My FIL brought R to the U/S appointment so he could get a peek at Kid B. A very cute moment happened when R noticed the "hole" in the baby's abdomen - when the technicians were taking detailed pictures of the heart since Kid B was positioned well and one of the technicians was a student. "Papa - Kid B is broken! There is a hole!"
They estimated Kid B to be about 8.2 lbs at 37 weeks. I was watching the measurements on the screen and the percentages that came with those measurements. That's when I saw head circumference - 90%. CRAP! Seriously? R was 95% across the board, including head circumference. At my 36 week appointment, I was 3 cm dilated, so I was just praying that labor would happen sooner rather than later so I had a good shot at VBAC.... even if it were just to help me mentally since I know many women have given birth to larger babies than even R....
My OB was very open to VBAC all along. I asked her if I had the right to change my mind and opt for C/S at any point and she said absolutely! So that helped my confidence again. At my appointment, I was 3.5-4 cm dilated and 90% effaced.
Tuesday evening, I came home and made a yummy dinner of pork tenderloin and something else..... Then at the last minute, I decided to head to Booty Bounce class. Normally I would do both Booty Bounce and PiYo to get a one hour work out, but after my appointment that afternoon, my back was hurting a little and I decided to go home after Booty Bounce. I was thinking planks wouldn't help my back much. :) I got home around 8, helped get R to bed and hopped into the shower to clean up after my work out. As I got out of the shower and dried off, I did notice more water than normal dripping on the floor. I dried off AGAIN and then waited a few seconds to see what happened. Drip, drip, drip. I went to the top of the stairs and called down to EMX -
"Um.... EMX? Call your parents, my water is breaking!"
We called my ILs to come and get R since he had just gone to bed and called the Dr on call. We decided to head right to the hospital instead of waiting around at the house. (Who wants amniotic fluid leaking all over the house?)
We headed to triage, had an IV put in my arm in case I did need a c-section later on and waited to be admitted. Before we were even in our room, we got a text that my two sisters and their guys were in the waiting room. As we walked to our room, we passed the waiting room and gave them a wave. We got our stuff settled and then headed back to the waiting room to chat until my next "check" at midnight.
Throughout those 2 hours, I had consistent contractions 3 minutes apart, but they weren't painful really at all. I could talk through them, and when I was checked at midnight, I hadn't dilated any more at all. The Dr offered pitocin to help get the contractions going and I agreed. I wanted to meet Kid B! She recommended a very low dose. That did the trick. Almost immediately the contractions picked up and started to get painful. I asked for a birthing ball to sit on to help alleviate some of the back labor. It helped quite a bit. Kid B continued to do well through contractions. I continued to breathe through the contractions for way longer than I did with R. (With R, I believe I asked for the epidural after the first contraction, lol.) THANK YOU YOGA! At around 2 am, I was thinking that I still had quite a while before pushing and asked for the epidural. At that point, I was thinking that I was only around 6-7 cm dilated, however, I got the epidural and soon after, the Dr checked me again and I was at 9 cm!
The epidural did begin to work, but only on my left side. I could still feel pretty much EVERYTHING on the right side of my body. The anesthesiologist fiddled around with the epidural placement to see if it was too far in, but that didn't work. I laid on my right side to see if the medication would work itself into the right side but that didn't help either. The only other option was to replace the epidural. At that point, I decided just to let it be since I was getting at least partial pain relief! I also felt that since I was already at 9 cm, I could last the little bit longer. EMX napped for a little bit while I continued to breathe through the contractions. I attempted to lay down and rest a bit, but even the partial pain relief wasn't enough for me to really relax. Around 3:45, I felt like it was getting close to push time and our labor nurse called the OB in to confirm. It was time!
At around 4 am, I began pushing. The OB resident said that Kid B was SUPER low and she thought he/she would be out in 2 pushes. I didn't believe anything that they all said to be quite honest. Having pushed with R for 2.5 hours, I was really not sure at this point that pushing was going to get the baby out. :)
Nonetheless, I began to push. The Drs and nurse kept reassuring me that I was doing a good job and that the baby was moving lower, but again, I didn't believe them! But, after 39 minutes of pushing (and intense pain and pressure), Kid B was born. They announced that it was a GIRL and EMX and I just burst into tears. We couldn't believe that 1, we had a girl and that 2, I actually had a VBAC! They asked if I wanted to hold her right away and I said YES right away! Holding my screaming baby girl kept my mind off of the after labor stuff that was going on and gave me a chance to have the immediate bonding time that I missed with R. (I don't even remember the first time I saw R in the OR.)
At one point, our nurse made a comment about Kid B not being a big girl since we had multiple conversations during labor about the size of R. When she made that comment, it still hadn't hit me that we had a girl and I asked them to confirm that it really WASN'T a boy.
In keeping with making inappropriate comments in the delivery room, EMX busted out with, "Well, I guess I'm going to go and get a gun!"
After I was all cleaned up, my sisters and their boys came in and held our baby girl. We hadn't decided on the name and EMX said that I had to choose before our nurse had to leave for the day. Even though EMX and R really liked the name Nora, I knew in my heart that I just could not NOT give our daughter the name that I've loved ever since I thought about having kids 10 years ago, even before EMX and I were engaged!
Welcome to our family Giselle Marie! We are so excited you are here!
For up to date pictures, go to www.ianober.com. EMX cannot stop taking pictures!
Giselle Marie born 4/11 at 4:39 am. We are sooooooo in LOVE! I'll post the birth story below for all my mommy friends. If you do not want to read a birth story - DO NOT CONTINUE. :)
Tuesday afternoon, I had my 37 week appointment and an ultrasound that I requested to check the weight of Kid B. After the labor and ultimate Cesarean delivery of R, I was concerned that I was growing another linebacker baby. I believe the exact words of our pediatrician at R's first appointment were, "Congratulations! You gave birth to a 1 month old!" My FIL brought R to the U/S appointment so he could get a peek at Kid B. A very cute moment happened when R noticed the "hole" in the baby's abdomen - when the technicians were taking detailed pictures of the heart since Kid B was positioned well and one of the technicians was a student. "Papa - Kid B is broken! There is a hole!"
They estimated Kid B to be about 8.2 lbs at 37 weeks. I was watching the measurements on the screen and the percentages that came with those measurements. That's when I saw head circumference - 90%. CRAP! Seriously? R was 95% across the board, including head circumference. At my 36 week appointment, I was 3 cm dilated, so I was just praying that labor would happen sooner rather than later so I had a good shot at VBAC.... even if it were just to help me mentally since I know many women have given birth to larger babies than even R....
My OB was very open to VBAC all along. I asked her if I had the right to change my mind and opt for C/S at any point and she said absolutely! So that helped my confidence again. At my appointment, I was 3.5-4 cm dilated and 90% effaced.
Tuesday evening, I came home and made a yummy dinner of pork tenderloin and something else..... Then at the last minute, I decided to head to Booty Bounce class. Normally I would do both Booty Bounce and PiYo to get a one hour work out, but after my appointment that afternoon, my back was hurting a little and I decided to go home after Booty Bounce. I was thinking planks wouldn't help my back much. :) I got home around 8, helped get R to bed and hopped into the shower to clean up after my work out. As I got out of the shower and dried off, I did notice more water than normal dripping on the floor. I dried off AGAIN and then waited a few seconds to see what happened. Drip, drip, drip. I went to the top of the stairs and called down to EMX -
"Um.... EMX? Call your parents, my water is breaking!"
We called my ILs to come and get R since he had just gone to bed and called the Dr on call. We decided to head right to the hospital instead of waiting around at the house. (Who wants amniotic fluid leaking all over the house?)
We headed to triage, had an IV put in my arm in case I did need a c-section later on and waited to be admitted. Before we were even in our room, we got a text that my two sisters and their guys were in the waiting room. As we walked to our room, we passed the waiting room and gave them a wave. We got our stuff settled and then headed back to the waiting room to chat until my next "check" at midnight.
Throughout those 2 hours, I had consistent contractions 3 minutes apart, but they weren't painful really at all. I could talk through them, and when I was checked at midnight, I hadn't dilated any more at all. The Dr offered pitocin to help get the contractions going and I agreed. I wanted to meet Kid B! She recommended a very low dose. That did the trick. Almost immediately the contractions picked up and started to get painful. I asked for a birthing ball to sit on to help alleviate some of the back labor. It helped quite a bit. Kid B continued to do well through contractions. I continued to breathe through the contractions for way longer than I did with R. (With R, I believe I asked for the epidural after the first contraction, lol.) THANK YOU YOGA! At around 2 am, I was thinking that I still had quite a while before pushing and asked for the epidural. At that point, I was thinking that I was only around 6-7 cm dilated, however, I got the epidural and soon after, the Dr checked me again and I was at 9 cm!
The epidural did begin to work, but only on my left side. I could still feel pretty much EVERYTHING on the right side of my body. The anesthesiologist fiddled around with the epidural placement to see if it was too far in, but that didn't work. I laid on my right side to see if the medication would work itself into the right side but that didn't help either. The only other option was to replace the epidural. At that point, I decided just to let it be since I was getting at least partial pain relief! I also felt that since I was already at 9 cm, I could last the little bit longer. EMX napped for a little bit while I continued to breathe through the contractions. I attempted to lay down and rest a bit, but even the partial pain relief wasn't enough for me to really relax. Around 3:45, I felt like it was getting close to push time and our labor nurse called the OB in to confirm. It was time!
At around 4 am, I began pushing. The OB resident said that Kid B was SUPER low and she thought he/she would be out in 2 pushes. I didn't believe anything that they all said to be quite honest. Having pushed with R for 2.5 hours, I was really not sure at this point that pushing was going to get the baby out. :)
Nonetheless, I began to push. The Drs and nurse kept reassuring me that I was doing a good job and that the baby was moving lower, but again, I didn't believe them! But, after 39 minutes of pushing (and intense pain and pressure), Kid B was born. They announced that it was a GIRL and EMX and I just burst into tears. We couldn't believe that 1, we had a girl and that 2, I actually had a VBAC! They asked if I wanted to hold her right away and I said YES right away! Holding my screaming baby girl kept my mind off of the after labor stuff that was going on and gave me a chance to have the immediate bonding time that I missed with R. (I don't even remember the first time I saw R in the OR.)
At one point, our nurse made a comment about Kid B not being a big girl since we had multiple conversations during labor about the size of R. When she made that comment, it still hadn't hit me that we had a girl and I asked them to confirm that it really WASN'T a boy.
In keeping with making inappropriate comments in the delivery room, EMX busted out with, "Well, I guess I'm going to go and get a gun!"
After I was all cleaned up, my sisters and their boys came in and held our baby girl. We hadn't decided on the name and EMX said that I had to choose before our nurse had to leave for the day. Even though EMX and R really liked the name Nora, I knew in my heart that I just could not NOT give our daughter the name that I've loved ever since I thought about having kids 10 years ago, even before EMX and I were engaged!
Welcome to our family Giselle Marie! We are so excited you are here!
For up to date pictures, go to www.ianober.com. EMX cannot stop taking pictures!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Another letter to Kid B - Love Mommy
Dear Kid B,
Hi. Remember me? You should. You're growing inside me.
For the last several weeks, I've been freaking out your dad at night when you decide to move or shift in my belly. It's a cool thing to watch with my shirt covering my belly, but lift up the shirt so you can see the actual belly, and Daddy gets super freaked out. I find it to be quite humorous actually. The other day, your big brother R (who is SOOOOO psyched to meet you btw) was sitting on my lap and you kicked him in the back. He didn't mind though. He thought it was pretty cool!
You may remember from this post, that your Auntie Tay likes to write letters. In her letter to you, she talked about our work out sessions together. We worked out together tonight actually. Aunt Jen was there too! Tonight, Auntie Tay and Aunt Jen, along with 2 other women who happened to be near us, had the pleasure of seeing you move around while I was working out! While doing our ab workout, you decided that you needed a little work out as well and started moving all around. Right now, I cannot figure out how you are positioned and I was REALLY trying to figure that out, but you kept moving and shifting. I think you and I freaked out everyone, but again, I thought it was pretty humorous.
I'll get serious now for a moment or two. Daddy, R and I are so excited to meet you! It seems like we just found out about you, but in about a month or so, you will be here! R tells me he is going to be my BIG helper. He assures me that he'll help me change your "stinky" diapers and sing songs to you to help you sleep. We've been practicing some songs every night actually.
Daddy took some pictures of us this past weekend. R and I decided that we should pose with the stuffed turtle that R picked out for you a while back.
In closing, Kid B, I promise, we'll figure out a name for you too. I SWEAR we will not call you Kid B after you are born - at least not for very long. :)
We love you!
Mommy
Hi. Remember me? You should. You're growing inside me.
For the last several weeks, I've been freaking out your dad at night when you decide to move or shift in my belly. It's a cool thing to watch with my shirt covering my belly, but lift up the shirt so you can see the actual belly, and Daddy gets super freaked out. I find it to be quite humorous actually. The other day, your big brother R (who is SOOOOO psyched to meet you btw) was sitting on my lap and you kicked him in the back. He didn't mind though. He thought it was pretty cool!
You may remember from this post, that your Auntie Tay likes to write letters. In her letter to you, she talked about our work out sessions together. We worked out together tonight actually. Aunt Jen was there too! Tonight, Auntie Tay and Aunt Jen, along with 2 other women who happened to be near us, had the pleasure of seeing you move around while I was working out! While doing our ab workout, you decided that you needed a little work out as well and started moving all around. Right now, I cannot figure out how you are positioned and I was REALLY trying to figure that out, but you kept moving and shifting. I think you and I freaked out everyone, but again, I thought it was pretty humorous.
I'll get serious now for a moment or two. Daddy, R and I are so excited to meet you! It seems like we just found out about you, but in about a month or so, you will be here! R tells me he is going to be my BIG helper. He assures me that he'll help me change your "stinky" diapers and sing songs to you to help you sleep. We've been practicing some songs every night actually.
Daddy took some pictures of us this past weekend. R and I decided that we should pose with the stuffed turtle that R picked out for you a while back.
This is proof that R DOES love you. :)
And this is proof that Mommy and R are goofy and your dad makes us crack up. :)
In closing, Kid B, I promise, we'll figure out a name for you too. I SWEAR we will not call you Kid B after you are born - at least not for very long. :)
We love you!
Mommy
Sunday, March 18, 2012
An Open Letter to Kid B - love Auntie Tay....
Prepare yourselves..... If you need to pee, do it now, or else you may pee yourself laughing.
My BFF Tay wrote this letter to Kid B last weekend while I spent time on the couch attempting to feel better. AND she said I could share it with you! Best.friend.ever. Maybe someday I'll share her letter to R as well, if you are lucky.
My BFF Tay wrote this letter to Kid B last weekend while I spent time on the couch attempting to feel better. AND she said I could share it with you! Best.friend.ever. Maybe someday I'll share her letter to R as well, if you are lucky.
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