Owner: Coming to a Nursery Near You URL:http://dawnandjimmy.us/blog Join Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:13:18 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: The emotional journey of a new again mom as she walks through motherhood, with 3 kids clutching at her ankles. Site statistics:Click here
oh . my . god 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ya know, my doctor has said on a few occasions that it's good that I'm having a c-section because he believes I'm carrying a big baby. Of course, I don't think he takes into account the fact that when he's using his tape measure to measure my belly, he's also measuring the remnants of two OTHER babies, but be that as it may. I've considered that if I have a big baby, he's probably thinking it's in the 8-9 lb range, which really IS a big baby for me. My daughter was the bigger of the two, weighing in 4 years ago at 7lbs 7 oz. I could feel the difference when I held her!Imagine, then, what this woman's doctor must have been thinking when she gave birth to this 14-1/2 POUND baby.My daughter weighed 16 lbs AT ONE YEAR!!!
yay 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I finally got a chance to go out to dinner with my friend last night, and asked her if she'd be willing to be come to the hospital in the event that 1) I go into labor before the 20th or 2) because of weather, my mother can't get up here in time for the 20th. She happily agreed, so that set my mind to ease ALOT. She's a sweet woman, and lives about 20 miles from me. She assured me that even if I have to call at 2am, she'll be there :)Yay!
"They don't let you leave if you fail" 1970-01-01 00:59:59 These words keep ringing in my head. They are the words of my OB yesterday when he saw me at my clinic appointment, after having seen me at the hospital earlier in the afternoon when I was there for the non-stress test."They don't let you leave if you fail", he says. Ummm... huh? Ok, well, it makes sense of course - if the baby's heart isn't accellerating during movement or (I would guess) worse, decellerating, then yeah - there's a problem and it needs to be addressed. ANd of course, where better to do so than in the maternity unit of the hospital! Duh, Dawn. I just never even gave it a thought when I take (our only) car, and usually at least 1 and sometimes 2 kids with me, that I'd be leaving hubby with no means to get to me if there WAS a problem. He normally just goes back to work or stays at home with the youngest having his lunch while me & the oldest goes to the hospital for the hour or so that it takes.Soooo, now we've changed that policy and hubby will be going for th
Inspired by her inspiration! :) 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ok, so The Frog Princess was inspired, as was I, by this really cool site that celebrates the The Shape of Motherhood, which takes on ALL shapes & sizes. Big or small, tall or short, fat & skinny, light & dark, we're all represented in this very tasteful site about the changes our bodies go through in order for us to have these children that we have. It isn't always pretty - especially for me the weeks following, when my belly's all bruised (we're talking dark purple and not in a good way, people), the skin is just hanging and I stand there and cry! But looking through this website, I saw that I'm not the only one who goes through it, and that it's OK! I've never been a fashion model, never will be - however, I bear the scars and marks of a mother, and I'm proud of that. So here I am, in my 38 week glory. Because I am woman, bearing life and PROUD! (be kind) :) Read more:Inspired
hard x3 1970-01-01 00:59:59 WHY is this so hard?????No, not the 7 trips to the bathroom a night. No, not the swollen body. No, not the fact that I haven't been able to see my feet in months.I'm talking about picking out a name for this child!!!Before we knew what the sex was, I couldn't even get hubby to discuss names at all. He kept saying "Let's wait till we know what we're dealing with". Grrrrr. Like *I* haven't been thinking of names since June. (I have!)Now, we've known the sex since December 27th. And we still have no name. I've joked here that we'd name this one #3... and seriously, we might have to!With our first, we didn't know the gender, didn't want to. We agreed that I'd picked the first name for a girl, and middle name for a boy. He did the opposite, and it wasn't until I woke up in recovery that I knew what I'd had and it was hours after THAT that I knew what his name was.With our second, we hadn't picked a name and it was 3 days before I was scheduled for my c-section. H
yikes 1970-01-01 00:59:59 oh, and have I mentioned...days to go!!!
wow 1970-01-01 00:59:59 days...left....But the good news is, we may have decided on a name! :)
Updating yet again 1970-01-01 00:59:59 By this time next week, I'll be back in my room and getting to know my Sprout. I can't believe it's nearly time. I've read all these February baby blogs as so many of them have delivered early, I can't help but wonder if I will too! I'm hoping NOT to have that problem here, as tomorrow - Valentine's Day (sniffle), we're forecasted for 12-16 inches of snow!!! Ahhh, gotta love northern NH LOL We probably won't get that much, because our area is in a valley, surrounded by the beautiful White Mountains of NH - so we'll probably only get 2-3 inches (sniffle). I think it'd be a really cool way to spend Valentine's Day, though - snowed in with my family, drinking hot cocoa and watching baby videos from the other two LOLI have a NST & my 39 week appointment today - of course, it was -25 F this morning here (No, that's REALLY -25 real temp), and our car battery died so we're in the process of replacing it. Fun Fun FUN. :)
My 1st Birth Story - a warning. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Before you read this post, there's some things you need to know.First, I am forever grateful that, despite the rocky start, my son's been *knocks wood* as healthy as a horse for the last 10-1/2 years. Second, I may not know the correct terms, so ya know- bare with me.Third, even 10-1/2 years later, the effects of the labor and delivery of my baby boy still haunt me and so I've never written it down. But it's my hope that maybe someone will learn from my mistakes.Fourth, if you're pregnant - please understand that I'm not writing this to scare you, as some people like to do to pregnant people. Remember that I, myself, am 9-1/2 months pregnant! :)So there I was, 10 days past my due date with my first child (gender unknown). I was so far past *READY*, it wasn't funny. My midwife was going to be "off" that weekend. I'd spent the previous 5 months reading everything I could get my hands on about pregnancy and natural child birth. I had a very exacting birth plan that basically Read more:warning
cinquo 1970-01-01 00:59:59 and have *I* got a post for YOU later today!
whoa... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 If you read my other blog, this posting is a repeat. Sorry :)The ma'an (just say ma'am, but with an n) and I have been together since 1995, when we first met on the internet chat Resort. We met online in March, but in real life in July. I was completely and totally sunk when I met him. I moved to be closer to him 5 months later and that was that.Except it wasn't. Although we'd go on to spend the next 11-1/2 years together, we've never married. This has been a great source of pain and disappointment for me. I have always felt "less than" and although we've had dozens of emotional conversations about it, he never gave me any *real* reason as to why he wouldn't get married. I thought it was because I am a less-than-perfect mate. I am a less-than-perfect parent. I'm not Martha Stewart either. I try to be the best I can be in all areas, and I KNOW it's not perfect. But it's me.Still, nothing. Last summer, though, he finally got the fact that I needed SOME sort of com
Someone noted to me yesterday how it must be weird... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Someone noted
to me yesterday how it must be weird for me right now... The excitement of a new baby, but the caution of a major surgery. I said, "well, the excitement is completely secondary... my main focus is getting back HOME". I realized, after I said it, that that sounds awful. But I've never been the type of person who can visualize the baby, get all gushy and gooey about the baby, (NAME THE BABY) before the baby gets here. I don't write it long, emotionally dripping letters while inutero. I don't know why. I suspect it's the whole optimism/pessimism thing I have going, and have always had going. Who knows.For posterity's sake, however, I will say that I cannot wait to get this baby HOME WITH ME. I have the rest of his/her life to be excited about him/her, starting the moment he/she is born and I get to see that face. Hear that cry. Experience those hormonal changes that cement him/her to me *for life*. And they happen immediately with me. So, for the next 2-1/2 days
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..here we go.. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 It's REALLY hard to believe, but tomorrow is D-Day. The uncertainty is over. The waiting is almost over... although I Have to say that the next few hours are gonna drive me buggy.As I mentioned, my wonderffffullest friend angel will update you :) Thanks for your thoughts and good wishes - and continue to send them! :) ~Dawn
The Baby is HERE!!!!!!!!!! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Dawn asked me to fill you all in and let you know that a beautiful baby boy arrived this morning at 9:06 am. He weighed in at 8lbs 3ozs and was 18 inches long. His name is Zachary Alexander. Please join me in congratulating the proud parents!
Yep, finally! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Zachary Alexander8lbs. 3oz.18 inches9:06 amWe're loving the wi-fi, so-far-successful breastfeeding, and the quad layer chocolate cake :) We'll be home in a few days. We're sore as hell, but grateful that everything went well. Thanks for the good wishes!PS Congrats to the Frog Family on their new arrival!
Ok, what's wrong with me?? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Since the birth of my son Zachary, 5 days ago, I've reverted into an infant myself. Now, I KNOW I'm tired - I also know it's going to be a permanent state for a while. Iv'e been there before.But now, here's a new wrinkle. Yes, the tired mom find herself drifting off to sleep. But like right NOW - it's like I've turned into a narcoleptic. At first, it was during breastfeedings, which I attributed to the let-down reflex... but I'm not breastfeeding right now - I'm typing! I'm sitting 2 -1/2 feet from my son, but I'm not feeding him... and yet, my eyes shut on their own and the next thing I know, I'm startling awake, just like an infant. My eyes have rolled back, I'm sleeping sitting up, and I'm getting startled awake, because ... HEY! You! We're NOT IN BED YET DAMMIT!! Talk about confusing. It's happened about 7a dozen times since I started this posting. It happens when I'm breastfeeding and it scared me so badly (because I was afraid I'd drop him) that I went to t
I'm here 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Just busy, tired, etc :) Will post when I can put two thoughts together. :)
Belly Hoppin 2007-03-02 20:31:00 As part of an online baby shower thing for another blogger who is ready to pop, we've been asked to post a picture of ourselves at our most uncomfortable, so here it is.This is me, 20 seconds before we walked out the door to go to the hospital. My back hurt, my front hurt, everything hurt. I was sick of waddling. I was sick of people asking me "Haven't you had that kid yet??" even though I was exactly 1 day past my due date. My daughter was kissing her baby brother bump goodbye.
Family Strangeness 2007-03-01 19:02:00 What do you suppose it says about a person's family when your online friends, most of whom you've never even met, are more excited about the birth of your child than your own sibling & his family?Hell, I have a CLIENT that I've only met with ONCE who wants to drop something off for the baby.. and I have yet to receive a phone call from my oldest brother regarding the birth of his newest nephew. I *did* get an email from my sister in law (a person I've known for 30 years) saying "cool - lotsa hair - congrats". That was the extent of her enthusiasm. I haven't heard from their oldest, my 20 yr old neice, either. Not even an email. I can't help but wonder what I've done in my lifetime that warrants this kind of utter LACK of familial enthusiasm and wonder of a new baby. Is it that I consistently acknowledge each of their & their 3 children's birthdays, their wedding anniversary and ya know, every major holiday by sending cards, gifts and usually both? Is it that I make a Read more:Family
Where does the time go? 2007-03-05 16:08:00 I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks. 2 weeks since my parents came up to keep our kids so that we could get up bright & early on Tuesday, February 20th, 2007... me sneaking into the kids' room to let them know it was their baby Brother's birth Day and that it was time to get up! They both bounded out of bed, all excited. We got everyone dressed and ready - I walked around the house, making sure I'd covered everything in my "in case" letters I'd written to hubby. Those were things like "this is where the money is", "This is where the kids' social security cards & birth certificates are". The just in case I don't come home letters. We all loaded up into the cars - damn, it was cold that morning - it was only 4 degrees when we left! We drove the 10 minutes to the hospital, me trying to not panic, the kids excitedly talking about the new baby. I got checked in and we went to the ob/maternity ward. I was the 2nd c-section scheduled that morning, and so they had some e
This is hard. 2007-03-07 17:34:00 I didn't write this on Monday, when I probably should have, but the emotions were just too raw. The nights when I don't sleep make the days so much harder to deal with. My guilt comes rushing at me from all sides and it's all I can do just to make it through the day without ruining my children completely. This is so hard. Breastfeeding when it hurts so bad that you'd rather take sandpaper and rub your nipples off rather than put them in your baby's mouth one more time - kills you with guilt. I WANT to be able to feed and nourish my baby. I've done it before, with the same results - pain, unbearable at times, pain so deep that you swear you've done permanent damage this time. The pain only lasts for the first 30-45 seconds that he latches on, but it feels like a lifetime. I've been to the lactation consultants - 2 of them, actually. Because my nipples aren't cracked and bleeding, they actually say "Hey, they look good!" Well, it's true, they aren't - but they should be
just to clarify... 2007-03-09 21:40:00 I truly appreciate those people that took the time to comment on my last posting. I really do - because they were thought-out, thought-provoking responses, not just "damn, that sucks" kind of throw-away comments. Just to make sure you realize, I'm not 1 step from blowing my brains out, dumping my kids in the bay or driving all of us off a short bridge. My blog is where I have to dump the stuff that runs through my head - it's my real feelings, but I don't want you thinking that I'm 2 slices short of a whole loaf, Ok? :)We took Zachary for his 2 week (plus 3 day) checkup today, and he's gained (are you ready for this??) 19 ounces (and 3/4 of an inch) in 10 days! He went from 7lb 14oz at his 1 week appt. to 9lb 1 oz. today at his 17 day appt. :) :):) I feel particularly proud of this achievement because it's ALL MY FAULT :D lol I haven't supplemented with formula more than 1 ounce, and yet, apparently, my boobs notwithstanding, it's been more than enough for Mr. Zach to star
Birthday Brownies all around! 2007-03-12 20:02:00 Today is my 40th birthday. When I was in high school, I was best friends with a girl whose parents had had her 'Later in life'. They were in their late 50's to early 60's when I knew her. Her sister was 10 yrs old than her, her brothers even older. It's occurring to me that I"m going to be one of those "later in life" parents. Only now it doesn't feel so "later in life". It's weird how one's perception changes with time, huh? LOLWe've spent the day by baking brownies for mommy's birthday (on the insistance of my daughter, because we didn't have a cake mix), going to the DMV and ya know, just hanging out with the newest duckling. I refer to my kids as ducklings, because whenever we go somewhere, I'm always counting them to make sure we have everyone lol Maybe that's where the term "getting your ducks in a row" comes from?I'm gonna go get a brownie - they just came out of the oven... can you smell them? Yummmmmmmmmy, I can.Oh, and btw - my brother (the errant one) a Read more:Birthday
Checking in 2007-03-15 17:12:00 We're doing ok. We seem to have found a way to get Zachary latched onto my breasts that doesn't make me cry, thanks to the lactation consultant at the hospital. It still hurts, but not nearly as much as it did. So that's helped alot. Hubby's been a HUGE help in keeping up with the household stuff - laundry, cooking, cleaning - so that all I've really had to do is sit around and make milk, change a billion diapers and breastfeed Zachary. Not a bad gig, huh?I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, though, gradually picking up where I left off ... i.e. this week, I folded and put away all the clothes - YAY (rolls eyes at herself), and managed to straighten out the battle zone that is our bedroom.Our newest challenge in the bedroom is figuring out where to put Zachary to sleep where he'll actually SLEEP. The pack N play that I was so excited to get, totally doesn't do it for him. He's awake after 20 minutes. I've tried even putting one of my worn nightgowns over t
In the first month of Zachary's life, we've taken ... 2007-03-19 23:36:00 In the first month of Zachary
's life, we've taken 360 photos of him or ya know, something related to him, which equals nearly 280 Megs of photos - this is more than the first harddrive I ever got from hubby (he likes to buy me technology gifts LOL). Unfortunately, even though we have a pretty nice camera, most of the shots come out blurry because we choose not to blind the child - and using the indoor setting means holding the camera still, something that apparently we're incapable of doing. However, in the interests of keeping this blog somewhat baby related, and not just the "Dawn's Whine convention", here's some random shots of the last month.Truly one of the first shots of Zachary, the redeye was awful but the nursery nurse actually fixed it for me because I hadn't installed photoshop on my laptop lol!While this is definately not a flattering shot of me, I show it to you so that when I show you my "after" shot, you'll say "WOW!" :)The hospital uses such harsh chemicals on t
Finding a happy medium 2007-03-22 14:01:00 I think that's what motherhood is mostly about. Not everything can go your way. Not everything can go the child's way. It's finding that happy medium that makes life easier, manageable.I've always subscribed to the "pick your battles" philosophy of parenting. You simply cannot exert your will over a child 24/7 and expect to have him grow up to be someone you'd want to talk to on the bus. So there's been times when I've looked the other way when one of my kids wanted to do something that, while wasn't dangerous or stupid, may not be what *my* mother would have allowed. Things like bedtimes, which aren't a real strict thing around here mostly because of the homeschooling aspect. Things like having cereal with no milk because right now, she simply doesn't like it that way. It's no big deal. Go for it! Things like baths - my kids simply don't need nightly baths, at least not in the winter. No big deal!I also expect my children to make their own decisions about things.
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