One Month Old...

So, last week our little bundle of joy turned one month old and then two days later he passed the 30 day mark. (The 30 day mark was a big deal for Brian, because beyond that date he would no longer need a spinal tap for every fever that takes him the ED). We had a doctor appointment and learned that our "little" boy is not so little. He weighed in at 11 pounds 1 ounce! Wow! I am telling you this little boy will be the best for toning my arms and building some muscle. He did very well in the doctor office and was so calm. I hope that his two month appointment will be the same, but I know it won't since that is when he will be getting all his immunizations. Ugh! I may need to bring someone with me to that appointment incase I don't hold it together when my poor baby cries in pain. 

Then on Friday I had my post-op appointment and it went rather well. I am only 3 lbs. above my pre-pregnancy weight so my goal of being back to weight by the time Brian comes home should be no problem. Now I just need to tone up my pouch, but I think I want to give that a little more time so that I know I am fully healed. I go back to the doctor the 11th for my birth control and I'm thrilled we can get it done and underway before Brian is home! 

Now, I am just waiting for Brian's parents to arrive (should be here in about an hour) and looking forward to a week with them. Everyone is sleeping so soundly right now it really is sweet. I guess I should get done whatever I need to do still while the house is quiet. 

Single Parent...

So, today was my second day as a single parent (not to say I don't have support from my husband, but meaning I am taking care of Jude alone). It has been a slight adjustment, but luckily for me I tried to take on most of the work of caring for Jude while my mom was still here. I feel like I am being torn in a million different directions and that I have fully changed into a mom. 

I am trying to spread love on the girls as well as Jude, keep the house looking decent, feed myself, and trying to do tummy time with Jude and doing everything I can to help him continue to grow and learn. I have turned into a mom in the aspect that I go to bed (or at least upstairs) at 9 or 10pm and I eat dinner at 5 or 6pm. Oh how our lives have changed since this sweet little one has joined our family. I cannot believe that in two days Jude will be 3 weeks old! HOLY COW! Time is really starting to fly with Jude around and I am hoping that before I know it Brian will be home and our little family will be complete. 

Loving my life, loving the warm weather, and loving that I can get stuff done while my little one snoozes! I just hope all this snoozing today doesn't mean a rough night ahead... 

"WE MARCH AT DAWN!"

And then there were 5!

Sorry I have been MIA for so long, but I was busy having my sweet little baby boy Jude! :D 

On Wednesday, February 19th at 1810 Jude was born! It was a planned c-section that was delayed from 0730 to about 1730. So, it left me with a full day at the hospital just waiting for my baby boy to be born. This made for some stress, because I was trying to keep Brian up to date so that I could talk to him before and after the c-section. The actual procedure went rather well with little complications. Our little boy entered the world with a loud shrieking scream and was measured, weighed, given shots, and cleaned all before I was out of surgery myself. I was finally introduced to Jude and quickly called Brian to share the news and introduce him to our sweet baby! That night I was transferred into the Mother Baby Unit and was up walking around by 0300 that night.

The recovery process in the hospital went well though I wish I wouldn't have relied so much on the hospital bed my last day at the hospital, because when I got home I received a rude awakening when trying to move in & out of my bed. We were released by 1515 on Friday, February 21st and headed home to start our new lives. 

Through the days up until now it has been a great journey and we are doing exceptionally well. I have been extremely thankful to my mom who has been with me and I will be beyond sad to see her go on Sunday. 

Some other milestones we have had include my staple removal a week after being discharged (it really wasn't as bad as I anticipated). The scar looks good according to everyone and now I am just left with some lingering tape residue that is slowly dissipating. Also, yesterday was Jude's 2 week check-up. Everything went well and he grew and gained his weight back from birth. He is a healthy, alert, strong, and wiggly little boy and the doctor couldn't be happier. We will have another appointment in two weeks to check on his continued growing and then not another appointment until 2 months where he will get... GULP... shots! 

More news... as I say good-bye to my mom tomorrow (BOO!) I will begin getting ready for more visitors as Brian's parents are scheduled to visit in about 2 weeks! I am loving the visitors and loving even more that I am able to get ready for them with little to no pain! Now if my demanding little man will just let me do the chores without wanting cuddles! :) 

Oh, I also forgot that the pup-dogs LOVE their baby brother so very much! 

Freezer Pro

So, through the few months getting ready for baby to be here and to be on my own for about 2 months I have taken up fixing freezer meals. My mom helped a lot with putting the bags together and I have successfully filled my inside freezer with lots of yummy meals. These meals include dinners/lunches, breakfast foods, and desserts. I got the recipes from various different sites and made a few that I already had.... if you have any questions ask!!

Blogs/Recipes:
Oatmeal Pumpkin Cake/Bread
Veggie Salmon Chowder
Cilantro Lime Chicken
10 Freezer Meals in 2 Hrs.  - I made from this: Enchiladas with my own twist
Super Fast Chicken Freezer Meals  - I made from this: Teriyaki Chicken & Sweet BBQ Chicken
A Month of Freezer Meals  - I made from this: Lasagna (with my own twist) & Chili (again my own)
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken 
Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes 
Breakfast Burrito
Banana Bread  - I also made a second batch and added chocolate chips! :D 

In addition to all this I made: Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins, Some Different Breads, Pancakes, French Toast, and Cupcakes (which freeze & thaw great!) ...

Here are some photos of my packed freezer: 

May Be the Last Week...

So, it looks like this will be my last full week of being without a baby. As of this upcoming Saturday I will be 39 weeks and we will be having my c-section before I am 40 weeks. I am really nervous about the whole idea of surgery, a new baby, being without my husband, and trying to be a good mom. 

I am happy that this pregnancy for the most part has gone really well. I have never felt really bad, I've never wanted the pregnancy to just be over, and overall I was pretty healthy (except when I went home for Thanksgiving). All things considered of the information we were given in the beginning of this pregnancy I am thrilled that it all has gone so well. My migraines haven't been that bad, I did not get MMR even though I am not immune, I did become more anemic but that was quickly fixed by iron pills, and my asthma has not acted up except for when I was sick & couldn't breath due to stuffiness. 

According to the ultrasound I had last week to check the position & space of the baby Jude is still breech and has little to no room to move. He is squished up near my ribs and has his little feet on my left hip area most of the time. Also, I guess he has a wonderful looking liver and is doing great practicing breathing. I always love when the people doing the ultrasound comment on how wonderful our son's organs look. 

This week also happens to be Valentine's Day... a very sad day since my hubby is not here to be with me, but I know that he will be happy with his care package of Valentine's Day goodies and I will be happy with my Valentine's letter. I plan to take the day to enjoy a little pampering to include a hair cut (just a trim so  I can still pull back my hair still) and a pedicure. Super excited about it! 

Now I just need to live up my last week and avoid going into labor before the c-section! :) 

No-Show... BLAH!!

So, today was supposed to be a somewhat important doctor's appointment, but there seemed to be some miscommunication between Winn and myself. I was told by the person who made my appointment as well as the automated person who called me yesterday that my appointment was at 1440. Alas when I went to question about why I had been waiting so long past my appointment I was informed that my appointment was at 1340. I assured them they were wrong, but are they going to believe me? HA! No! To my surprise my next two appointments (my last two as well) were also off by an hour. Yet, of course this is all my mistake correct? BULL! Anyways, so now I have been marked as a No-Show to my appointment (which is like getting a warning at school, except hubby gets it not me...)! 

So, now they want me to call tomorrow  morning at 0830 to see if there are any cancellations so I can be squeezed in for my missed appointment. Ugh... so early! If that doesn't happen then I guess I am waiting until next week (not always the best choice when you are almost 38 weeks). Some may be wondering what was so important about this appointment... well we were supposed to do a quick ultrasound to confirm that our baby is still breech. Luckily we already scheduled a c-section last week, but we were just going to double check this week. So, if I don't get in until next week one of two things will happen... 
1. We'll do the ultrasound and from there we will continue with the c-section or not
2. We will just go ahead with the c-section as scheduled

Part of me is kind of leaning toward option two for the simple fact that I am already mentally prepared for the c-section, for everything to go according to a plan, and for everyone to know when to be here/by a computer. I guess I just have to wait and see what happens that this point. 

End Rant for the Day... 

35 week appointment

So, yesterday I had my 35 week appointment and now I get to enjoy the joys of going every week... yay (insert eye roll here). So, the appointment was relatively quick, heartbeat was good, measurement was good, did my Group B Strep test (EWWW), and then came the discussion. Are we going to try turning the baby or are we going to schedule the c-section? My answer... I don't know, because I don't feel that I am fully aware of the risks. I know the benefits of both, but lets face it I'm married to an EM doctor and we are worse case scenario people. So, we discussed the risks, I got some information, and I sent a FaceBook message to Brian and told him we needed to talk. 

Within about 15-20 minutes Brian happened to be by a computer and saw my message and was able to FaceTime me. We discussed the risks associated with turning the baby, doing the c-section, and being in the situation of an emergency c-section. Ultimately we have decided to go with scheduling the c-section for 39 weeks and if Jude decides to turn between now and then well then it won't matter now will it... lol! 

So, with the idea of a c-section there are different complications that I must take into account and prepare for. There is the knowledge though that baby Jude will be here in just less then a month. I'm terrified, nervous, and mostly I just cannot believe it is already here! Just two months after that my husband will be home! It is slowly all coming to an end and I am amazed at how easy the 9 months of pregnancy have been and how difficult the 4.5 months without Brian has been! 

Next week is the 36 week appointment and we will schedule the c-section so we will have a date in one week from today! Get excited!! :)