Blessings and growings

Yup.  Blessed.  That's what we are.  Each night I tuck my kiddos into bed and remind myself how lucky I am to have a house to call a home, secure jobs and a family that loves me.  Doesn't get much better than that.  And... here's the pic to prove it!

So, what's new you ask???

Well, I'm a bit behind again.  Don't feel bad.  It's not your fault.  I wasn't ignoring the blog.  I'm pretty much ignoring everything.

Callie is a whopping 3.5 months.  She's growing too fast.  I just want to bottle her up and keep her as a happy baby for just a little longer.  She's just the sweetest dang thing I ever laid my eyes on.  Could be because she smiles at me almost every time I look at her.  Plus she's a good sleeper, which means I get to be a good sleeper.  Basically, that makes us all happy.  She's almost rolling over, so by the next time I post, she'll probably be crawling.  Yikes!  OK, maybe I'll post sooner just to make myself feel like I am slowing down her rapid growing.

And then there's my Lilly.  My sweet Lilly.  She too is growing.  Not really, she's still a peanut, but at least intellectually she is growing!  Colors are the new thing.  She's really trying to get them down and asks A LOT about colors.  Also, when Callie cries in the car, Lilly sings her ABCs to calm her down.  Lilly started dance class last week and proudly marched herself right in the studio.  No need for Mama to hold her hand anymore.  She was too "big" for that.  I only got a wave every once in a while.  Independent little miss, just like her mommy.

As for me, I'm back to work.  Blah, blah, blah.  Feels like I never left.  Its tough to find a good balance of work and home.  I for sure, for sure, wouldn't want to be a stay at home mom, but a little more time with the girlies would be nice.  I'd like to suggest a 6 hour work day.  I think that would be fantastic.  Pretty sure that those decision makers wouldn't agree.  I digress.

Jereme's gearing up for hunting season.  Pretty sure I might not see him at all until Christmas.  He's got plans for South Dakota deer hunting.  Goose/duck and pheasant in MN.  Plus he's getting a membership to a game farm.  Oh boy, oh boy!  I better brush up on my wild game cooking.  Wait, maybe he needs to brush up on his.  Yes, I think that is the correct frame of mind :)

Until next time folks!

Since Having a Baby

I've been reminded of and learned a few things:

1. Babies have nasty poop.  It comes in all shades and colors.  Also, baby has a tendancy to stick her little feet in it when changing diapers.  Ah poop.
2. Sleep.  It is not overrated. Surprisingly, I've been getting some.  Our newest little bugger is a good eater and a pretty good sleeper.
3. My husband kicks butt.  He's 50/50 with me on all feedings, diaper changes, baths, etc.
4. I no longer have to pee every 15 minutes and it is glorious.
5. I cannot sneeze properly.  No stomach muscles is odd.  Situps are in my future.  On the bright side, when I do manage a sneeze, I don't pee my pants.
6. Maternity leave is not boring.  Visitors have been plentiful and when I don't have visitors, I've had a 'to do' list a mile long to take care of.  It's already going too fast.
7. Babies smell good.
8. The clothes that I wore pre-pregnancy fit again, however; I dislike all of them.  Time to do some power shopping.
9. Having two kids is wonderful.  Lilly loves her little sister and I love her even more for it.
10. I missed wine.  I missed it alot.  Happy to be reunited.

So, all that being said, we are adjusting to two kids pretty good.  Callie is such a good baby; I couldn't be more blessed.  Lilly is still her playful self and doesn't want to give the baby away, so that's a good sign.  Jereme and I are happy, proud parents :)

Who wouldn't love these two beauties!

The Last Supper and Baby

Hi Everyone!

As most of you know, we've been blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Callie Christine.  I thought I'd share her story, but it's long and probably has too much info.  So if you're not into the whole getting all the details, you may want to skip some parts :)
May 27th was Jereme and my 6 year wedding anniversary.  On a whim, I'd asked Grammy (Jereme's step-mom) to babysit Lilly so we could go out to dinner.  As we were making plans, I'd joked with her that this would probably be our Last Supper.  Little did I know...

The day started out completely normal. Since it was the weekend, my plan was to run errands and enjoy the weather.  It was about 90 degrees out.  In the morning, I scrubbed the floors, which I NEVER do anymore because we hired a housekeeper.  For some reason, I felt that they needed to be done (This is the same thing that put me into labor with Lilly).  I also ran and got flowers for out in front of the house and picked up a few groceries.  While Lilly napped, I planted flowers and got her pool out for a little play time.  That afternoon, Lilly played outside and I started to feel tiny little contractions.  Nothing that had me thinking it was 'time', but more like the, 'I over did it this morning' kind.  I really didn't think much of it and started to get ready to go.

Just before we left, I had Jereme snap this picture, since I remembered that I owed a belly shot on the blog.  Good thing he did, cause this was the last night that I would be pregnant!  Holy crap, I am HUGE!

Off we went to dinner at the St. Paul Grill.  If you haven't been there before, GO!  It's pricey, but the food is amazing.  At dinner, the waitress had asked us when we were going to have our baby and Jereme completely jokingly said, "tonight."  Only after she'd walked away did I tell him about the contractions, which freaked him out ever so slightly.  They weren't too strong, so we did get to enjoy our meal.

By the time we were on our way home, they were picking up intensity.  I didn't say anything to Grammy about them and sent her on her way home.  I just didn't think that this was really 'it'.  Plus, with Lilly I had labored for two days, so I figured if it was time, then I was in for a LONG night.  Around 8:30, I tucked Lilly in and told Jereme I was headed to bed so that I could catch some sleep while the pain was still bearable.  By 9:30, the contractions were coming pretty regularly.  By 11:00, I told him that him that it was time to call his Dad to come watch Lilly.  We were at the hospital shortly after midnight.

I thought for sure that they were going to send us home from the hospital.  I was two weeks away from my due date.  It just felt too fast for me, but when I was checked, I had already dilated to 7.  And so, we were admitted.  The nurse kindly asked if I would like anything for the pain, to which I replied, YES PLEASE.  Giving birth to Lilly without an epidural was not pleasant.  I had wanted this one to be a bit easier.  Unfortunately, the nurses were worried that I was already too far along.  I pleaded and they lied and told the anesthesiologist that I wasn't as far along as I was.  I'll take getting poked in the spine any day.  For those women that think that they need to prove something to themselves by having a drug-free birth... you're fricken nuts.  Epidurals are the best damn thing ever invented in the world of child birth.  By 2 am I was feeling no pain.

The downside of getting an epidural is that it stopped my progress.  Well, maybe this was a blessing?  Had I not has it, I probably would have delivered in the middle of the night.  Since it had slowed everything, we were able to catch a few hours of sleep.  Now, having a kid arrive quicker is great, but when you aren't in pain, why the heck not sleep for a while, right?  I could wait a few more hours.  And that we did.

Around 10 am it was time to start pushing.  Once again, the nursing staff at Regions was amazing.  They told me exactly what to do and when to do it.  It was very, very clear to me that this delivery was going to be much better than Lilly's.  At one point the nurse thought I was I actually going to laugh the kid out of me because we were picking on Jereme, who was sitting in the corner trying to ignore everything happening. He was by far more uncomfortable than I was.  I reminded him that I was the one who was supposed to be miserable.   At 11:17 am, Callie arrived.

Callie wasn't our only girl name.  We had several others picked out.  The name just felt right to us.  I was later told that in the Hebrew alphabet, the double L (LL) is the tallest letter in the alphabet and means both teacher and learner.  It's also the dead center  Both of our girls have the double L.  Sort of interesting.  Anyways, her middle name, Christine is after my paternal Grandma.  She's one of the strongest and most influenial women in my life.  I couldn't be prouder to have Callie share her name.

So, that's Callie's story so far.  Jereme and I are completely in love with her and Lilly is a VERY proud big sister.  More to come in the near future.

~Sara

Pampering

These last couple of weeks of pregnancy are rough.  I forgot how exhaused one's body can be.  I try not to, but I do waddle by the end of the day.  I can't help it.  It's just more comfortable to walk that way.  Jereme thinks it is hilarious... makes me want to kick him. Instead, I've decided to pamper myself and start getting pedicures weekly since I can't reach my own toes. See.  Nice and pretty.

The pedicure lady tells me that I'm having a boy.  However, my mid-wife keeps referring to the baby as a she.  Always makes me wonder if she is spilling the beans because she knows or if she is just saying that because that what comes out.

Don't they say that rubbing the ankles can put you into labor?  The pedicure lady gave me a nice 15 minute rub down.  I think she just felt bad that my feet were swollen.  Plus, if I go into labor and look like crap, at least my toes will be pretty.  Maybe they'll be my focus point.  Ha!  Who am I kidding?  I won't be focusing on anything but getting this kiddo outta me!

So, weekly checks started yesterday.  Tomorrow will be 37 weeks which means I am officially term.  Can I get a HELLS YES!  That means its around the corner. I am one centimeter dialated and 50% effaced.  I got at least another week in me, I hope.  We're pretty ready at home.  I have to pack bags and get the carseats ready, but other than that... I feel like I am organized enough to bring a kid home.  At least we can walk into the baby's room without having to kick things out of the way.

So, what's a girl to do when you are about to bring another baby into the picture?  Well, all I want for the next few weeks is to enjoy having just one child.  I fully intend on snuggling, kissing and all around spoiling Lilly until the baby is born.  I just want to get as much of her as I can while she is the only one who needs my attention.  Love that little girl sooooo much!

Until next week.  Oh and I promise to have a belly pic.  One more just to have the evidence that I carried this child.

Adios!

To boob or not to boob

That is the question.

All the recent hype about the Times Magazine cover got me thinking more and more about breastfeeding.  For those that haven't seen it, its a picture of a young mom breastfeeding her toddler (probably 4ish).  The toddler is actually standing on a stool to reach her boobie. 

My reaction was, SERIOUSLY?  That kid should be feeding himself with a fork and spoon.  I have absolutely nothing against breastfeeding.  It is completely natural.  However, it is not natural to continue to feed long after the child no longer needs your nutrition.

Then I thought about it a little more.  Maybe this mom is just doing what she feels is best for her child???  Maybe this works for them?  Who am I to judge.  Well secretly, I do judge, I think it's uncalled for, but hey, to each their own.  I wouldn't do it and I sure as hell wouldn't pose for a picture if I did.

I'm almost certain that I was judged when I stopped feeding Lilly after a few weeks.  I can about guarantee that I will stop after a few weeks of this one. Yes, I probably could have tried harder, but I didn't want to.  Lilly was tiny, I wasn't producing and I needed that reassurance that she was getting what she needed to grow.  Moving her over to formula was one of the best decisions that we ever made.  All of our lives were much happier.

Stupid society and their judgements.  And, stupid ass Times Magazine for using such a personal topic to make sales.  They should be ashamed.

In the end, I'm comfortable with the way I've raised Lilly and I'm sure I'll be comfortable with however feeding works out with the next one.  I guess I just wish people would keep their mouths shut for a change.  New moms have enough to deal with. It's just too personal for others to be putting in their unwanted 2 cents.

Or, if you're like me, start a blog and bitch about it and then tell everyone that their opinion doesn't matter and that's it your blog.  Shut up if you disagree.

I'm so happy

I am happy is my theme for the week :)  Actually, my theme for the past two weeks because I missed last week.

I am happy to announce that this is my last month of pregnancy.  Due date is one month from today.  Whew. 

I am happy that I will no longer have swollen feet and fingers.  I am happy that I will no longer have to pee every second of everyday.  And most of all, I am happy that will have a baby to hold.

I'm so happy all started because of my Lilly.  It's her newest saying.  And really, she does have a lot to be happy about.  In the past couple of weeks, she's had some good times.  She went to her first Twins game of the season, went on a trip to the big lake (aka North Shore),  went swimming, went to a birthday party, went bowling... and so much more.  That kid has the good life.  At least she's appreciative.

As you can see, we're busy.  In between all of our fun outtings, we've been interviewing new daycares.  Lilly's is closing this summer, so we need to find a new place for both Lilly and the baby.  All sort of tramatic for me.  I hate leaving a place that we know and love, but I totally get her reasoning for closing up shop.  I'm sure we'll find a perfect spot for both our pumpkins.

Really, that's all that new with us.  Just living the dream, trying to rest and getting excited.

Adios!

Nesting or just crazy

Perhaps I have begun the nesting phase, but really I think I am just crazy.  Ever have those months where you just have too much crap on your plate.  Yup, that's me.  By the end of each and every day I am completely exhausted and have used all energy that I have to give.  My brain and body ache.

Most of the stuff for us involves somthing around the house, which is why I call it nesting.  None of it, however, NEEDS to be complete right this very moment.  Ok, well, I do need to maybe get some stuff done for the baby.  But wiping the walls down in the basement... that could wait.

Here's just a taste of the accomplishments for the past weekend:
Shopped and bought furniture for the upstairs, the old stuff will be moved to the basement
Taped out the bar... we needed to see how much room we had to work with
Wiped the walls of the basement
Puttied the trim in the basement
Cleaned the bathroom in the basement
Bought fixtures and towels for the bathroom in the basement
Washed and folded at least 6 loads of laundry - including baby clothes.  Gosh they are so small and cute.
Laid mulch around the trees in the yard
Menards and more Menards - bought a patio set
Went to a concert

And this is what I can remember off the top of my head.  Pretty much think I am crazy.  This week/weekend won't be any better.  Nor will the following.  Well, at least it makes the time fly by!

34 weeks and counting.  Ignore my messy bathroom :)  It's to the point now where if I think about peeing, I have to pee.  I'm ready to have this baby.