Friday, December 29, 2006

eeeeeeewwwwwwwww

OK, yuk...that's what I have to say. I really don't want to elaborate too much but let me put it this way -- I have VERY FEW clothes that actually fit me! It's not like I'm trying to fit into way small clothes, either. I just wanted something comfy to wear around the house and guess what? EVEN THE CLOTHES WITH AN ELASTIC WAIST AND STRETCHY FABRIC LOOK PRETTY GROSS RIGHT NOW. I guess I shouldn't really care...I'm pretty sure Elijah doesn't mind if I look like a cow. And I know the cats don't care. But I do...*sigh*

On a different note, I think I'm going to take down our Christmas tree and decorations today. There is no snow on the ground and it doesn't feel very holiday-like or festive anymore. Besides, my parents surprised Adam and I by having two bookshelves put together in our apartment for us when we got home from Iowa. Thanks again, Dad and Mom! So I need to make some room in the living area for them so I can get the books on them...right now, the cats seem to think the shelves are sleeping areas for them! Come to think of it, anything new we bring in here becomes a "cat nap area" for a short time! Crazy felines...

I think maybe I'm going to take a nap first...Elijah finally decided to start to fall asleep at about 3:15am last night/early this morning. Yeah, he got that from me I think...I can go to bed at any given time and it takes me about 45 minutes to actually fall asleep. Since Adam had to be at work at 7am this morning (means he leaves at about 6am), I kept Elijah out of the bedroom until I was sure he wasn't going to scream (the ONE downfall to having him sleep in our room I guess...but it makes feeding him easier and I think he likes being closer to us!). So once his little eyes stayed closed for about 10 minutes, I started to move into our bedroom. He woke up, of course, but he was sooooooo tired! I wonder what makes humans fight sleep sometimes? Ok, so anyway, we went through the whole ritual of him spitting out his pacifier about 30 times...and I had to keep turning the vibrating thing of his pack-and-play's bassinet back on for the next half hour or so...and he needs his back rubbed before he can sleep...and then he started snoring (seriously!)...but then he turned his head over and it was quiet. TOO QUIET...I'd start to fall asleep and then I start thinking "Why can't I hear him breathing?". So I'd sit up and put my hand on his back...yup, still breathing! I usually do this about 2-3 times and then exhaustion kicks in. So, he probably fell asleep shortly after 4am...I think I looked at the clock at 5am for the last time.
I am truly a spaz!

SO ANYWAY, that's why I think I'm going to nap quick. Elijah is snoozing in his swing and it is yucky outside (sun hasn't been out at all today) so it's a perfect time to just sleep for an hour maybe. Then it'll be feeding time and almost time for Adam to be coming home from work. Tonight needs to be a bath night for Elijah, too. Adam and I think he may be starting that 6-week old growth spurt because he's been eating more frequently again. However, he seems to be pooping everything out...I don't know where he puts all of it INSIDE because it hardly fits in his diapers when he poops it out! Wow...that may have been too much info for everyone!


Any day now...

We were doing so well...granted, I'm a little bit apprehensive about letting Elijah sleep on his tummy but he has been sleeping SO well. He sleeps between 2.5 and 3 hours at a time with minimal fussing prior to passing out. And he wakes up in a good mood each time, eats happily, burps quite loudly and then goes back to sleep (after he gets his back rubbed for a few minutes!) It has been a good few days here...

It is now 2:06am...my child is wide awake and has been since his dad got home from work. He has dozed off a few times but only for about 5 minutes. I'm getting sleepy and he is wide awake, staring at me from his swing. I'm am so very tempted to leave him swinging and just lay on the couch but I've got this issue with even thinking about being sleepy myself when he is awake. I just wish he would get tired already ...

Let's see if I can find some good pics to put up to keep myself busy for a few minute...eli-1
Oh how I LOVE this picture! He was so happy after our drive back to Wisconsin.

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This, however, was the look I gave Adam when he tried to take my picture after our drive back to Wisconsin! (EDITOR'S NOTE: anyone else notice that my chin resembles a butt?)

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I stole this picture from Caitlin...he looks so small!

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This is my fat boy, Dizzy...it's pretty tough to get good pictures of him because he's camera shy . But he's getting "up there" in ferret years so I want to be sure to get a few pics of him posted, too...

OK folks...that's all for now...sigh...sleep would be so nice right now! Guess we'll be sleeping in tomorrow

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Yeah, I know...posts and pictures are scarce right now. But in my defense, my child didn't go to sleep last night until NOON TODAY! Yeah, we put him to bed, he slept for about 20 minutes, woke up screaming and was not really in the mood for anything. In fact, I FELL ASLEEP nursing him once and he woke me up to let me know it was time to switch sides! That was about 5am. I thought once or twice that he was finished but no...when I attempted to move at all he protested quite loudly. Finally, about 7am, I couldn't even think any more...he'd eaten again, been changed and rocked and sung to and had his back rubbed and we did his "leg presses" (ya know, to get the gas out!)...there was nothing else. I laid him in his crib and went to try to sleep...20 minutes and "Lungs" was at it again. I let him cry, thinking he was just "consoling himself to sleep"...I have read that some babies need to cry to fall asleep...no, he wasn't going to sleep for ANYTHING! Adam left for work and I remained strong for about a half hour and gave up. What moron decided that it's OK for moms to let their babies cry? Am I going to get any sleep with him screaming in the next room, or when he's in the room with me? DUH...so anyhow, he and I went through the above ritual until noon today; that's when "Lungs" decided it was time to sleep. Bless him...I actually slept for almost three hours after that ordeal.

So, my apologies if my presence here is not as frequent as it used to be. I try because I know it's tough for those of you who are far away! So I'll post a bunch now and hopefully that will tie Caitlin over for the next few days!

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This is one of my favorite recent pics of him...this is how he practices getting his mouth open REALLY wide for those early morning "lung strengthening marathons"!

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You might not be able to tell but that is a sticker from a banana that says "Stick this to your forehead and smile"...Dad thought it would be funny to stick it on Elijah's head...and on the cats who protested quite a bit!

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...and one more that I'm sure you'll love...
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You can go ahead and say it...he looks like his dad . I'm not sure what he got from me yet...maybe just a warm place to live for 40 weeks!

Monday, December 4, 2006

bath time!


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Bath time! He actually seemed to enjoy this quite a bit! It made me happy to see him so content...
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Such modesty...he crossed his legs right when we took the picture...
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Dad wanted to take a picture of him all soaped up...and that crazy duck almost swam away before we got the picture taken.
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He wasn't too happy when we took him out of the bathtub...and Dad was making fun of him (I don't think that helped the situation but it did make for a good picture!)
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All warm and toasty in his reindeer blanky...he slept for about 2 hours like this...guess we tired him out!

That's all for now...

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

first check up and pics

Elijah had his first checkup today...here's his current stats (and old ones for comparison):

11/17/06 (His birthday!) : 7 lbs, 10.4 ozs and 18.5 inches long

11/21/06 (we came home) : 7 lbs even and 18.5 inches long

11/29/06 (today) : 7 lbs, 6 ozs and 19.5 inches long

As his Dad so nicely pointed out, at this rate he'll be taller than his Mom in no time! We have to go back for a weigh-in next Friday since he's not back to his birth weight just yet. Of course, this makes me a little worried. I know this child is eating FREQUENTLY enough...I think he'd allow himself a permanent hook-up if I'd let him! But I just hope the QUANTITY is enough. I need to know that I'm providing him with enough! I think an inadequate milk supply might be too much for my crazy hormonal state....

Let's see...what else? Dr. Milonas (that's Elijah's doc!) sort of laughed at us when we told him that Elijah hates his crib. He said that's just because Adam and I are too nice. Maybe...but the other night, we reluctantly decided to try to let him cry himself to sleep. I laid awake for the hour and a half it took him to stop crying...and I felt like the worst mother on the face of the planet. Ugh...I wonder who this will be harder on? But I do know that he can't sleep in bed with us forever; and I know that I need to spend more nights in my bed than on the couch! Plus, I think Adam will feel so much better once he knows I'm getting some decent sleep.

Pretty much, Dr. Milonas said he's healthy and doing well. I have to say I'm pleased with our pediatrician. He's very easy to talk to and I have felt comfortable with him since the beginning. And Elijah seems to like him (at least until the shots start coming, I'm sure!). PLUS, he milked our son today. Yes, you read that right! He was explaining to us how Elijah is getting all of my hormones right now and babies go through this sort of "newborn puberty" and we shouldn't be alarmed by some of the effects...like we may see baby acne or we may see a drop or two of milk on his nipples -- then he squeezed one of them and sure enough, there was milk! I was stunned and slightly amused...Adam wasn't looking at the time and he said he's glad he didn't see it because that's crazy!


Anyway, here are some pictures!

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This is Elijah trying to escape his changing table prior to his first bath at home...he hates so much to be naked!
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This was afterwards...in his hooded frog towel. He looks a little happier, hey?
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Elijah and Dad, all dressed after his bath. This is one of Dad's favorite outfits (it says "All Star" on the front).
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This one is especially for Grandma and Grandpa Guenther...you got us these socks for my baby shower and this may be one of the last times he wears them! Either his feet are getting longer or those bird toes are!
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And this one is especially for Grandma Bright...sorry about my finger on the left (I am a terrible photographer!). We got this outfit from you for my baby shower and I've been telling Adam ever since then that I couldn't wait for him to be big enough to wear it. It's still quite big (notice those HUGE cuffs on the sleeves!) but that's OK because he'll be able to wear if for awhile.
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One of the quieter moments...he's a good snuggler!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

quick update

This is just a quickie for everyone...

Thank you all for your prayers over the past week...it's been, well, just crazy. I guess I've never dealt well with things deviating from my "careful planning". I learned the hard way that all the careful planning in the world means nothing when God has a different plan in mind. I can safely say that since last Thursday morning, not ONE thing went according to my plan! All in all, it's OK because everything turned out OK. But quite honestly, I think my mood is a little down, partially due to all of this.

However, all moodiness aside, I am very happy to be home and continuing to recover. I have to remind myself to take it slow...I sometimes expect myself to just jump back in and feel "normal" but I'm finding that doesn't happen right away. Thank God for Adam...not only is he great with Elijah but he reminds me to slow down and relax.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

bed rest sucks

I am bored...so bored...

I have actually started feeling contractions now...nothing serious however. Nothing but random contractions...but at least they are there and I know what they are. These aren't those "painless tightening feelings" that people talk about...I don't even think I felt those, although the fetal monitor said I was having them! No, these are real. I just wish they'd get closer together, and stronger. Sometimes I think I'm crazy because I'll be laying down or watching TV and I start to wait for them and look forward to them...and then when it happens, I almost WISH it would hurt! I'm not a masochist...I'm just really looking forward to some productive contractions now! But I am so thankful that at least there is some progress...

I just realized that I write with way too much of this: " blah blah blah...blah blah blah...and something something something..." I am just a big run on sentence sometimes and I think I excuse it by saying "BUT THE THREE LITTLE DOTS, YOU KNOW!"

**The above paragraph can be chalked up like a comercial: "This is your already crazy pregnant brain on bedrest...any questions??"

I have decided as well that I am glad I am due in November and not anytime between May and September. For the most part, even in Wisconsin, the weather is much too nice and I think if I had been stuck inside during that time, I might be more cranky than I already am. At least now, it's cold and cloudy. The weather men are calling for rain/snow mix late tonight and into early tomorrow. So at least I can snuggle up with the cats under some blankets and shut out early winter.

So that is my random update for now...wish I had something exciting to share but at this time, all I can say is something random with some "..." at the end!

Monday, November 13, 2006

bed rest - day 2

I am doing my best to keep a positive outlook and remain sane during this time...

I will admit it was nice to know that I didn't have to leave at 7:30am to go to work for 10 hours today...it's about 35 degrees outside! It's just very difficult to try to sit still! I'm behaving, though. It's given me a chance to have a heart-to-heart discussion with Elijah, too...it's time for him to at least START something here! If I go to my appointment on Monday and the doctor tells me again that I'm not dilated at all, I'm going to be pretty frustrated . While I was hooked up to the fetal monitor for the non-stress test, the tech and Adam both asked if I felt any contractions. Nope...and obviously if I'm having them, they're not very productive! So I told this little child of ours that it's time for him to make a decision to start working his way down. I haven't even dropped yet! Come on, Elijah! At least do that for me! I'm thinking that's what is making this whole "bed rest" thing a little trying for me...I still feel like I've got SO much time because nothing has happened so far. It's actually kinda freaky...I keep thinking I'll end up being one of those crazy talk show people who tells her story of how she didn't even know she was in labor until she was delivering her baby in the shower, on the toilet, in the car, in her sleep...no thanks! We need to leave that for the professionals! I don't think the cats would be very good nurses, either...they shed too much.

When I see my doctor on Monday, I'm telling him that it's his fault...he left town on the 4th and his first day back is Monday. I told him NOT to leave! Ok, I know it's not his fault but right now that doesn't matter to me.

I just spilled Kool-Aid on my shirt...red Tropical Punch on my white t-shirt...oh wait, it's Adam's white t-shirt! Good job, Sandy. I sure do miss having that washer and dryer in our last apartment! Oh well...maybe I'll just let the stain set in and keep it as a reminder of my journey through bed rest!

OK, I ate some lunch and now the baby's moving more. I feel better now...and a little sleepy. This is the ONE positive thing I have found about my "no work" order...I have been getting so tired about noon or 1pm every day for the past month. When I'm at work, I can't very well take a nap! So I think I will take a nap now...and everyone can wait in anticipation for my next entry. I have a little extra time on my hands so I'll keep you all updated on my progress...if not PHYSICAL progress, I can at least tell you about my progress toward the crazy lady ward of the hospital!

update from dr

OK, doctor's appointment was today at 9:30am...another non-stress test at 10:15am. I have some good news and some not-so-good news.

9:30am : nurse takes my blood pressure and it is 120 over 70. *big sigh of relief* I guess the whole bedrest thing paid off... It's been hard to stay so inactive but I was thankful that it helped. Then the doctor came in and said I am now 1 cm dilated...yay! Finally we have some progress . He did another ultrasound and said Elijah is fine but he's still face forward. That just means the potential for painful back labor...let's hope this little guy decides to flip around!

10:15am : so I make my way over to the lab for the NST. I'm all comfy in their recliner chair, drinking my water and listening to Elijah's heartbeat...and the nurse mentions how swollen my right leg looks. I looked down and said "Oh that's nothing...you should have seen it on Friday!" Seriously...my leg was about the same size from my ankle to my knee...it was creepy! So she takes my first blood pressure reading...are you ready for this one? 140 over 100! . I just kind of sat there stupified...the nurse says "Just relax here for a bit and we'll take two more before you go". So yeah, we poke Elijah a little and wake him up so we can watch his heart rate increase...he's doing JUST fine. He just likes to sleep! (Gets that from his dad!) 2nd blood pressure reading: 135 over 90...hmmm...not too much better. Is it really possible it jumped that much just from walking from the doctor's office to the lab? Sheesh...well anyway, the third one was 130 over 80. I was not very happy about all this...I felt so good after my appointment and then this...so the nurse tells me to just stay put while she takes the results of the NST to my doctor. It isn't more than about 2 minutes when I hear Dr. Pae's voice coming into the lab with the nurse. He says "I don't really like those numbers, Sandy" ... duh...I should hope not! So here's where it gets "not so good" in my mind. I have to go back for another NST on Thursday...if my blood pressure is above 130 over 80, I'm getting induced on Friday morning. I know, I know...I have to think clearly and do what's best for Elijah and for me but still...this isn't how I hoped and planned. Dr. Pae said he really doesn't want to induce with Elijah face forward either because his experience with that is failed inductions and then a C-section. *huge sigh of disappointment*

**OH AND GET THIS! If they induce me on Friday, it's set up for 5:30am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just falling asleep at that time most of the time!**

So here I sit...I'm on bedrest, I can't do anything really except sit here and think...think that maybe I'll have to be induced. And if that doesn't work, I'll have to have a C-section. I just talked to my older sister who said her 2nd was born face up...and he was fine except for a little bruise on his head! So I feel a little better. But you know...well...it's just a little disappointing to think that things won't go the way you hope they will. I keep telling myself that it doesn't matter how he's born as long as he's healthy...and it doesn't, but it does. I don't care, but I do. Does that make sense? I'm trying to be optimistic but sometimes it seems that the more optimistic I am about ANYTHING, the worse it gets. Oh my...now I sound like someone else I know...the world is out to get me! Not really...I'm just being difficult. Deep down, I know it won't matter in the long run, but right now, it does matter. So I am going to sit down and relax awhile and try not to think about this. Best case scenario: everything progresses on its own and I can just stop pouting! Worst case scenario: things don't go according to my plan. I guess that's OK as long as all lives at stake are taken care of. It's not really in my hands, after all...

Friday, November 10, 2006

bed rest...

Now, deep down I know that I have to do what's best for the baby and for myself, but I think it all just sunk in...

I just got off the phone with my boss and one of my managers...they're just finalizing everything for the next week since I got pulled off of work early. And it's real...it means I'm not supposed to work until after the baby is born. And for me, this is TWO distinct feelings: it's almost unreal that I am being ORDERED not to work AND it's a little disappointing. I'm not disappointed that I won't have to make tacos anymore...I'm more disappointed that I was so sure I was going to make it until the end and my "end" wound up being 8 days sooner than I had planned. I guess I shouldn't be so hard on myself...I made it 38 weeks and 6 days working 10 hour days and 50 hour weeks. And I guess this is now my time to just relax a little before everything goes crazy for awhile...but I'm feeling a little strange about it.

Ah...cope and deal, hey? I guess that's something I'll work on while I'm spending all this quality time resting .

**PS: It's 7:41pm now...I got home from the doctor at just after noon today. I am bored...oh-so-bored. I am trying to be optimistic; really, I am! But part of me is really just pouting I think...**

Friday, November 3, 2006

stuffed!

**SEE UPDATE AT BOTTOM**

I just ate WAY too many Lucky Charms...it was just a bowl full but it feels like I ate the whole box. I am too full now...

I have to really get some pictures taken soon...if I wait too much longer, there will be no pictures of me in my last few weeks. I'll make Adam play photographer when he gets home from work. Since we rearranged the living room/dining room on Wednesday, we can put up pictures of that, too! We had to get the 2nd kitty tree out of the baby's room...didn't want the cats to surprise him with a jump from the 3rd shelf of the tree into the crib some night! So now our spoiled cats have TWO kitty trees in the living room! But our apartment looks SO much bigger now.

We really need to get those baby clothes organized, too! Why is it that I keep waiting for them to fold and organize themselves? *sigh* I feel so lazy this week it's unbelievable. I woke up this morning and decided to just lay in bed and look at the ceiling for about 45 minutes because I just didn't feel like hauling my butt out of bed. I don't like feeling so lazy...and I really don't like the fact that it is already getting dark outside and it's only 4:40pm! I don't care too much for the winter months...I like the sun!

Well, Finnegan has finished drinking the remainder of my cereal milk so I must wash the bowl out now. And I think I will watch last night's Grey's Anatomy and FOLD some clothes! I'm gonna do it...I am going to get those baby clothes done TONIGHT! I now have a mission and purpose to my night off...everyone keep your fingers crossed that I accomplish this.

**UPDATE**
I DID IT! I actually got the clothes separated by size and type, into their appropriate bins and then put the "These clothes are way too big" and the "These clothes should be hung up" on hangers and into the closet. I feel so much better now. I think I'm rewarding myself with a bath, a nice cold Diet Coke and then pizza when Adam gets home. It was a good night!

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

update

SO, I had a doctor's appointment today...an early one at that. 9:15am is much too early when you don't get home from work until about 3:30am. And to add insult to injury, I actually got the the office early and had to wait 45 minutes. I thought doctor's offices were usually on time or ahead of schedule in the morning? Oh well...it gave me some time to almost fall back asleep and people watch. Doctor waiting rooms are the best for people watching...

Oh, so I guess the point of this post...nothing has really changed except that I continue to get fatter...and so does the baby! Doctor asked if I've had any Braxton Hicks contractions yet...I said I thought perhaps I had felt one or two yesterday but not any besides that. The exam would reveal that I am "not at all dilated and not really effaced at all"...that's encouraging, Doc...I guess Elijah is quite comfy in his womb right now! Sorry, Ki...you'll have to wait a little while before your cousin is ready to come out and play!

Well, that is my update for everyone...not too exciting. I still have stuffed sausage leg, but I'm starting to just accept it. It's not like I'm doing any runway modeling right now anyway! And if I decide I want to do that, I'm sure SOMEONE out there would pay me to photograph my sausage leg! Look out, America...the stuffed sausage billboards are coming to neighborhoods everywhere!

Friday, October 20, 2006

deal or no deal

(***EDITED AT THE BOTTOM BECAUSE OF A VERY FUNNY SITUATION!!!***)

I am completely addicted to this game show...I am truly pathetic

Know what else? I really LOATHE being short...especially while I am pregnant. I can't reach ANYTHING in my house. Do you know that I just had this major chocolate craving and wanted the Swiss Cake Rolls out of the cabinet above the stove. Well when I opened the cabinet I realized that they were much too high for me to get. I had several options. #1: Forget the chocolate and eat something better for me (sheah...right!). #2: Get a chair from the kitchen table and climb...not recommended for someone who is front heavy! #3: Silently be very upset that Adam put them too far back in the cabinet and is now at work until 10pm. OR #4: Use my new improved method for grabbing things out of the cabinet...kitchen tongs! I chose #3...hahahahaha Nope it was indeed #4. The funny thing is that I teased Adam for MONTHS about those kitchen tongs that he bought in 3 sizes and uses for everything when he's cooking...I'm embarrassed now!

OK, I'm over it.

One of the cats just stepped on the remote and the next station up has some crazy show on called "Trading Spouses"...HA! I wouldn't trade Adam...not even for a day! And if he ever tried to "trade me out", he'd find out just how dangerous kitchen tongs can be! I'm only joking. Sometimes it's really crazy...I'll be driving or at work or walking through a store and all of the sudden I stop dead in my tracks and think "Holy Cats...I'm married!" It's not strange or anything...just WAY COOL .

I have been awake since about 4:10am this morning...why am I so awake? I thought for sure when I dragged myself out of bed this morning that I would be passed out and comatose by this time tonight. Second wind? Third maybe? I don't know. I made a decision that if I am tired, I'm just going to sleep...no matter what time it is. I am so seriously awake enough right now that I think I'm going to take a shower and find a huge beach towel to use afterward (thanks for that idea, Caitlin!). Yup...but I still have about 28 minutes until Deal or No Deal is over...

***EDIT STARTS HERE: Sooooo I took that shower and when I was done, I wrapped myself up in my BIG, fuzzy warm yellow beach towel...I was enjoying being enveloped and decided to dry my hair with the EXCESS towel (first time in ages!) and then I dried my face. It was WAAAYYY too late when I realized that the cats have been sleeping on that beach towel in the bedroom closet for, oh, probably 5 or 6 months. My face was covered in black, white and orange fur and nothing I did would get it off. Slightly fearful, I pulled the rest of the towel off and realized I resembled our cats because my entire body was just covered in fur...I couldn't laugh or cry or be mad or anything. It was just too unbelievable. I had to take another shower in very cool water because I had used all the hot water the FIRST time to get all the fur off...sheesh. I'm amused by the whole situation now because when I came out of the bathroom, all four cats went running in different directions when they saw me coming...they must have known! I think my cats conspired against me!***





Teagan Riley Clark