My Babywised Babies sleep great!

(I didn't have much time to proof read and so please excuse the run on sentences, fragments and HORRIBLE punctuation!)

We follow the babywise book.  It's not a new method, but really sleep hasn't changed over the years.  The basic premise is eat, play, sleep; instead of eat to go to sleep, play and then eat again.  Basically, you are teaching your child to go to sleep on their own instead of needing to be rocked, held, or milk to go to sleep.  I have done this with Owen and now again with Jesse and I swear by this method because my babies sleep great!  Owen is almost 3 and still takes an afternoon nap that ranges from 2-3.5 hours!  Jesse is 12 weeks and has sleep through the night 7 times!! His bedtime is 6pm, I nurse again (dreamfeed) before I go to bed around 10-11pm) and he has slept till 6am and 7:30am!!!  Mommy loves her sleep so I am THRILLED!

We started at about 3 weeks old with both boys.  Before that we just nursed and held our babies as we all know those first few weeks are just survival.  Then at 3 weeks we moved our babies from the bassinet in our room to the crib in their own room.  When the baby is only a newborn sometimes the "play" was only a diaper change or a burp to wake them.  Here is what our newborn routine looked like during the day:

Baby is allowed to sleep as long as they would in the night and early mornings, when baby waked we would change his diaper and then nurse one side, burp, nurse the other side and burp.  Sometimes it would take up to 10 minutes to get that 2nd burp, but it is key to know there isn't any belly gas that would be uncomfortable for sleep.  Then we would enjoy a little awake time (keeping the lights bright and not muting sounds of Owen playing or tv etc.). When we saw the first sign of sleepiness it was off to the crib he went.  Some signs of sleepiness are rubbing eyes, droopy eyes, a yawn, redness around the eyes, and fussiness.  Jesse is great at rubbing his hands into his eyes while nuzzling his head into my shoulder when he is ready to sleep.  It is really important to put them to sleep when they are sleepy and before they are over tired.  I usually say the same thing when I put him into the crib:  "night night sweet boy.  Mommy loves you! Its time to go night night" and pat his belly.  I laid my babies on their back in a swaddle they can't get their arms out of.  We used some velcro ones early on and receiving blankets, but once they can get a hand out we would put them in the Woombie brand swaddle.  Yes, they are pricey, but worth every penny!  You can get them on the half off baby websites sometimes.

During the day, I closely watch the clock and if he is sleeping and it hits the 3 hour mark from the beginning of the last feeding I wake him up and we start the cycle over again.  Now, at nighttime I do NOT do this; I let them sleep as long as they can.  With Owen the nurses said I should wake him for the first month every 3 hours.  I think that he got trained to be on this schedule and it took longer for him to fully sleep through the night whereas I knew better with Jesse and we were able to establish his nighttime at night earlier on!

I just looked back and Owen's 4 month schedule was this and it is pretty close to Jesse's schedule now too except he is still about about 2.5 hours during the day and getting up earlier:
8am-Eat, play time (this is a special time of day, he is so sweet!!) then a 1 1/2 hour nap
11am-Eat, play time (usually some tummy time or in his swing) then a 1 hour nap
2pm-Eat, play time (run errands) then a 1 hour nap
5-6pm Eat, play a little then a 1 1/2 nap
8-9pm Eat, play about 30 minutes and ready for bed!
10:30 dream feed and back to bed

Ok, here is the hardest part.  Crying it out.  I think the earlier you do this the easier it is for the baby and parents.  There are different ways to do CIO (crying it out).  We found that at 3 weeks CIO only lasted 30 minutes top.  Our boys would scream crying for the first 10 minutes then it there would be a pause then some more intense crying before tapering off or just conking out asleep.  It is HARD.  I would hold Chris's hand and we would encourage each other to be strong because we knew it was better for them in the long run.  Thankfully, it usually takes only a couple of days/nights to get to shorter crying periods.  Now, Jesse is only 5 minutes tops.  There are exceptions.  Sometimes I know Jesse is over tired from holiday or visits from family and those times I will swaddle him, give him his paci and hold and pat him to sleep and usually I can easily transfer him to his bed.  There are different ways to go about crying it out and you should decide as a family what works for you.  We said 30 minutes top crying before comforting and calming him down and trying again.  You have to check for poopy diapers, burps and sometimes a growth spurt will throw it all off.

One other thing you have to know about and it is the 45 minute intruder.  This is how long a young babies sleep cycle is.  After 45 minutes it starts over and sometimes or even most times the baby will wake up crying.  I usually look at the clock and use my judgement to see if it is close to the 2 hour mark I will get him up and start the cycle over, if it isn't close to it then I wait it out.  Usually, after 5 minutes he is back asleep or quiet in his crib.

I really can't stress enough that you should just read the babywise book.  She describes in detail the reasons behind it all.  It is all about the parent making the decisions with the information you have and not about the baby's crying dictating their schedule.

Last thought because WOW this is getting LONG!  If you are nursing you really need to make sure the baby is nursing enough and getting the hind milk.  If you can feel yourself let down then you know baby is getting the nice creamy think calorie milk.  If you only nurse for a few minutes on each side then baby only gets the foremilk which is more watery and wont sustain baby till the next feeding.  Babies who only get the foremilk have to eat more frequently and thus turns into a cycle of snacking instead of eating full meals.  The other reason to move baby out of your room if you are nursing is that baby can smell you...wouldn't you want to wake up earlier if you could smell your wonderful food cooking all night?!  Jesse slept an extra hour longer at 3 weeks when we moved him to his own room at night.  4 hour cycles are amazing during the night with a newborn!

Please, ask any questions!

The 7 nicknames for Jesse

Seven dwarves 

Doc

Grumpy

Happy

Sleepy

Bashful

Sneezy

Dopey

Jesse's seven nicknames

Grunty

Chubs

Squeaky

Snorts

Smily

Piggy

Baby

Santa 2013

We visited our favorite Santa last week!  This Santa is one of Owens friends grandpas!  His wife feeds him info into an ear piece and he carries on the sweetest conversations with the kids.  Owen still wants a fire truck! I hope he loves what Santa is bringing him!!

Here we are showing Santa MeMe's face! 

Jesse: 2 months

So Jesse is 7 weeks tomorrow as I start this post so hopefully I can document all the amazing moments and things he is doing.  

Last night he slept from 7:30pm till 3 am that is 7.5 hours!! It was great then up at 7:30am to nurse before taking Owen to school.  Please make this a new pattern!! 

He is getting better at burping and letting me know when he needs to so that he feels better.  Most nights we are getting a good 4 hour stretch of sleep which has made mommy feel so much better!  He cluster feeds in the evenings before bed and nursing is averaging 15 minutes on both sides.  

He needs the paci during the day, the gumdrop one; but at night when he is swaddled in his woombie/MeMe he goes to sleep pretty quick.  I have found that the big "cry it out" then leads to the big sleep of the night. So I am working on moving it from 7pm to 9pm.  Which also hopefully would mean getting up at 7:30 am most days instead of 6:30am which then means mommy is up for the day. Owen and daddy don't get up till 7:30-7:45 so this would be nice having everyone up at the same hour!

His cheeks are getting fuller and he has a double chin!! Everyone is saying that Jesse looks less like daddy and more like Owen.  Even daddy the other night mistook a picture of Jesse for Owen!! Had to do a double take! 

Switching to cloth diapers several weeks ago was the best move.  Jesse has slept better and even has had less diaper rashes.  In fact he hasn't had any till I put a disposable diaper on him while the cloth ones were drying!  I was so unhappy to see that bright red rash where the poop had been touching his bottom.  Plus longer sleeping stretches because he isnt leaking and cold covered in pee is always a big PLUS!!

Yesterday Jesse had his 2 month old doctor visit.  Dr. B said he is perfect which we knew.  Jesse weighed in at 12lbs 14oz; almost 13 pounds!! My chunker!! He is 75th percentile for weight, 65% for heights and 35th for head!  He got 3 shots and on oral vaccination. This morning he had a temp of 100.5 and we gave him some Tylenol, then he had a big poop and big brother helped give him a bottle while mommy got her hair colored and cut.  

I have to admit it is nice to be at the salon alone, but I do feel guilty leaving my boys. I also miss that I am not at home when all four of us could be together having family time.  

Jesse is sleeping better and better slowly he is moving to waking at 4-5am most nights, even tho last night he woke at 3am and then again at 5:30! Ouch that was rough on mommy.  

Ok onto the pictures!

Owen conversations: vol 2

As I got out of the shower and was getting ready, I hear:

"That's my mommy"

Chris:" yeah, buddy that's your mommy"

Owen looked out several of the windows and then said:

"Daddy help me find Mr. Moon"

They then went outside and sadly the moon was behind the clouds, but they saw lots of starts...too many to count!

Tonight, after Owen was put to bed, but not asleep.  I sneezed and then I hear:

"Bless you mommy!"  MELT my heart,

Jesse: 4 weeks

Jesse is doing great in his crib.  Mommy is getting a little more sleep with him in there!  He is still getting up about 3 times a night, but last night was twice if you call it an early morning at 6:30am.  Ouch, but really it wasn't horrible.  I got two three hour stretches of sleep, instead of three two hour stretches.  We have been getting more and more 3-4 hour stretches.  Last night would have been even more amazing as he slept great, but mommy got a stomach bug and Owen leaked out of his diaper and we had to get new pjs and sheets.

Jesse is nursing and finally it isn't hurting mommy as much. I think this is just typical for me.  

Just had his one month dr visit.  He is 10 pounds and 15 oz!  Almost 11 pounds, jumping from 30% to 70%!  Dr B said my milk must be very nutritious and keep it up.  The cluster feedings before bed are doing the trick and Jesse is sleeping great getting me up 1-2 times a night. The 3 times a night is what makes me exhausted the next day.  

Jesse is out of newborn clothes and some of the 0-3 month are getting tight too!  His nursery still isn't finished, but we will get to it eventually!!

Jesse: 3 weeks old

I wish I had more time to document every moment with Jesse, but 2 kids is way more work.  This is just plain honesty!

Jesse is thriving! He is a great baby and reminds me a lot of Owen and yet he is his own little person too! The first couple of weeks were just survival between feedings and sleep. Jesse really wants a paci. We didn't do one with Owen and really enjoyed seeing his little face, but he could cry it out and not bother anyone but the parents who were heart broken for him.  This time Jesse's cries wake up Owen if he isnt asleep in the evenings.  

Jesse: birth to 2 week weigh ins!

10-1: 8 pounds

10-2: 7 pounds 14 oz (midnight in hospital)

10-3: 7 lbs 5 oz (follow up at Peds office)

10-7: 7 lbs 10 oz

10-9: 7 lbs 13 oz 

10-14: 8 lbs 3 oz 

Next apt is one month!!

Jesse is giving us a couple 4 hour stretches, but they seem to hit during the day.  I just finished skimming the baby wise book again and will be waking him up during the day to eat.  I, also, moved him to his crib a couple nights ago.  These has seemed to help him stretch to a full 3 hours between starts of feedings instead of 2.5 hours...that extra 30 minutes makes a HUGE difference in the middle of the night!! 

Nursing is different and yet similar with Owen.  We used the nipple shield for several weeks and I stopped using it when his sucking was starting to hurt again.  Owen and Jesse have these tiny mouths and don't want to do a deep latch.  The shield allowed me to force it into their mouths so they got used to it deeper in there.  Then when we drop the shield they allow me to help them do a correct latch.  Well, Jesse has this really hard suckle at the beginning. It HURTS for about 3-5 seconds till my milk lets down and he can relax more.  The other thing that has been harder is finding time to pump.  With 2 kids needing me I can't seem to find a good time and in the evenings Jesse cluster feeds before bed and I don't want to deplete my milk supply or create an over supply.  

Big brother has been soooooo great with little brother.  Our first grocery shopping experience with both boys went pretty good!  Owen at one point held Jesse's hand to calm him down.  MELT MY HEART!!

It worked and Jesse was happy the rest of the shopping trip.  Owen was a little disappointed that he didn't get to ride in the car cart as there would have been no room for groceries and the baby car seat.  I might have to use the ergo next time so he can drive the cart as it makes him so happy! 

We broke out the double stroller and it was great at the outlets!! Both boys were great too!! Especially, since Owen was skipping a nap!  He sat in the front and ate his lunch the whole time, plus it helped that Aunt Sara was with us!! 

This is the ready 2 grow graco stroller that my family gave us!! I love it so far! Very easy to push and turn for a large heavy stroller. Plus the box has created hours of fun for a certain little boy!

We did some naked tummy time: yup of course there was a big poop and pee!!  

Jesse has no butt and skinny long legs!!  Still adorable to me!! Daddy gave mommy the best compliment the other night!  Said Jesses cheeks were filling out!  Means Mommy's milk is doing its job! 

Owen conversations:

Convo 1:

Owen: can I get my trains out? I cleaned up!

Mommy: sure, Owen!

Owen: ughhhh, my trains heavy. Owen strong like Jesus! 

Convo 2:

Putting Owen to bed and he gets into trouble for throwing MeMe out of the bed again.  I had to get stirn and pop his leg. When I was snuggling him and telling him I love him before putting him back to bed he says:

If Jesse throws his MeMe down, Jesse trouble too?

Mommy: yes, Owen Jesse will get in trouble 

Owen: mommy pop jesses leg too?

Mommy (trying not to laugh): yes, mommy will pop jesses leg too.

School photos! 

And one of Jesse too:

Big Brother Little Brother Moments

I am so proud of my first born.  He has been so sweet with Jesse.  Here are a few moments from the first 11 days of Jesse's life that I just can't forget.  Sadly, we can't seem to catch any on video or pictures.

• Big brother worries about little brother when he cries during a diaper change. Owen several nights now yells out from his bed "it's alright Jesse or it's ok, Jesse". Then I hear "jesse's hungry MeMe, he wants milk". Tonight daddy took J in there to O and O kissed and hugged him, then as daddy closed the door O said "I love you too, daddy, I love you too, Jesse!"
• Daddy was holding Jesse this morning and asked Owen to come give him a good morning kiss, which he did and then Owen gave Jesse a high five.  Later after some toddler play time he went up to Jesse's bare foot and did 5 little piggies "this piggy when to market, this piggy weee weee wee" and tickled Jesse.
• Since, Jesse was born Owen has been so sweet to shower him with kisses and his type of hug where you place your face next to someone's and make a squeezey hug grunt sound!  He like to tickle him and make pretend giggles for Jesse! 

Jesse's Birth Part 2

After getting stitched up and Chris held him for a while, before we attempted nursing.  I pretty much remembered the correct holds and latches and I also remembered Owen's bad latch and YUP baby boy Jesse has the same little mouth.  I was kicking myself in the butt for not bringing the nipple shield or top hat as we called it that I used with Owen for 3 weeks.

Once we got settled in our new room, I asked the nurse.  "When can we go home?"  She looked at me surprised.  I guess others must want to stay in the hospital, but not me.  I hate the bed, I hate being woken up from precious little sleep to get checked, or Jesse to be weighed/hearing test/blood sugar's ran/ etc.  The list goes on and on.

It was amazing how quickly I was able to get up and moving. I am not going to lie, I was in PAIN.  But it was different pain and much less than a c/s.  The c/s I was stuck in bed for over 12 hours.  The VBAC I was up in a few and ready to move around a little so my back, legs and butt didn't get as soar.  The bed was comfy at first compared to the Labor and Delivery bed, but by the time I left it felt like concrete.

daddy buckling him up

ready to go home

Owen took a ride with Mommy

same outfit that Owen wore and it was WAY too big this time again!

Jesse's Birth Part 1

38 weeks pregnant

At 3:30 we had an u/s and OB appointment scheduled on Monday the day before our 38 week mark.  The u/s ran late, but we found out that Jesse's fluid was good, he was approximately 7 pounds and 12 oz and had hair!  Then we had to wait forever to see my OB.  It was almost 5PM at this point.  My OB checked me and I was dilated to a 2 still, but 50% effaced.  I was discouraged, because I had been having contractions on and off all day every day...it seemed.  So, we had a good talk and came up with the plan that we would set a c/s date around the 40 week mark and if he came before that we were going forward with the VBAC.  Off to the scheduler's office we went and to my dismay she had already left for the day.  I knew it was only a matter of calling in the morning, but I really wanted to have that end date on the calendar so we could start planning and preparing.

Chris and I hop in the car and I had a mini break down.  I was just so disappointed and felt like Chris and my OB were pushing me to wait to do the VBAC when I knew this boy was big and I was so scared it would end in a c/s after laboring.

We decided to run to a couple of stores and look at mirrors for our master bath.  We really want to get that last part finished.  I walked around this huge warehouse decor store for a good while and then one other store before we realized we needed to pick up Owen and get him home for bed time.

By 8:30 my feet were up and I was watching TV on the couch with Chris.  At 9:30pm I decided I needed a snack and was having some regular contractions.  I chose something spicey because "hey, it could only help bring on the labor!"  By 10:30 we were seriously timing them and they were regularly coming at 5-7 minutes apart.  I didn't want to get my hopes up that this baby boy might be making his way into the world, so I tried not to get excited.  By 11:30 we decided to call the after hours nurse line because we hadn't even discussed with my OB when we should go into Labor and Delivery.  The nurse was sweet and said when they got to 3-5 minutes apart or my water broke to call back and then head in.  I did the usual lay on my left side and drink water and it didn't seem to help.  So, at midnight we call Chris's parents to come stay with Owen that we were headed to the hospital.  I was so worried that it was a false alarm and that I was putting everyone out of sleep and we would be back home the next morning with this baby still in my belly.

12:45 we left our house for the hospital.  They hooked me up to a machine and monitored my contractions that were 2-5 minutes apart on average.  It seemed like forever before a nurse came in to check me and she said my cervix was funneled, but that I was a 3 on the outside and a 4 on the inside.  During the check she must have stirred stuff up and the blood show started.  She could tell I was uncomfortable and didn't want to send me home and said that she would call it a 4 and the blood show meant we were admitted to L&D.  This was 2:30am at this point.  I was still in denial that this baby boy was on his way OUT!

All my girlfriends said if you are getting an Epidural don't be a hero and just get it ASAP!  So when the nurse asked about pain meds I said send the epi guy in!  Things seem to be either in slow motion in the hospital or super hyper speed!  By 3:30 the epidural was in! They checked me and Jesse was still head down.  Things were moving.

I tried to sleep for the next bit, but it was so surreal to think it was finally happening I was having another baby.  My little family was growing and this was it the day we had prayed for for so long.

At 6:30am the on call OB came in to see us.  Ironically, this whole pregnancy I have see my Dr. L in the office and the on call OB was always Dr. M when we had our SCH scare and the preterm labor!  Dr. M came in and checked me.  She was surprised I was admitted at a 3cm, but realized that I was a 4cm with the funneling.  We decided to break my water with a slow leak because they didn't want me as a VBAC to progress too quickly.  We all thought that Jesse wouldn't come on Dr. M's shift and Dr. L was the next OB on call at 1pm.

I tried to sleep again and was able to doze on and off a little.  But at 7:30am I got the whim whams or low blood sugar.  In my family, we call it the whim whams when we get shakey hungry.  They checked my blood sugar and seeing as it was a 75 I was able to eat some jello and some cranberry juice.  It really helped!

At 8:30am they checked me again and I was finally getting moving at a 5cm!!  We started me on the lowest pitocin drip.  Things really picked up.  9:30am I was a 6 cm, 100% effaced and Jesse had dropped to a 0 station! I was told to call when I felt the pressure.  At 10am I couldn't wait any longer and called even though it had only been 30 minutes.  Chris was looking at me like I was crazy and I even told my nurse. I swear I felt the pressure for 3 contractions before calling.  To ALL our shock I was dilated to 9.5 cm and Jesse is coming faster than we thought.  Chris was so funny when she said 9.5cm.  He sat up so quick, rubbed his face and said I guess I should put my shoes on and pee!  LOL!  We were both a bit overwhelmed that this was happening!

I did a couple practice pushes because Jesse was still up high and thankfully when I pushed it he did move down and the OB, Dr. M, was on her way.   After 17 minutes of pushing this little guy entered the world.  I am amazed my body was able to do this and I didn't watch, but Chris did.  He was amazed and cried when he was born!

Chris is the most amazing husband. We had fun years as a young married couple before the loss of the twins.  When we lost those babies the strength in him amazed me.  I don't think I can think about giving birth to any of my babies without thinking about all 3 of my very different experiences.  The day Owen was born Chris became a father to a living boy and the gentleness and patience he has is amazing.  The day Jesse was born Chris was my strength again.  When I was pushing and feeling like my insides were coming out with Jesse he would look at me with amazement and kept saying:
jeanna you are doing it!
keep it up!
this is it!

I think it would have taken me way longer to push Jesse out if I didn't have my husband as my cheerleader.  So, a very long to me, short to the staff 17 minutes later I had a squealing baby boy in my arms!!!  They put him on my chest and all the gook that I thought was gross, didn't smell, didn't feel weird, but was so amazing because MY NEW BABY was under there! I wanted to stare at this new person that was now in my life.  Jesse was amazing. He looked so much like Owen, but so different.  I love that they will look like brothers, but still be individuals!

I spent the next 40 minutes getting stitched up and holding Jesse.  I told Chris that I was sorry he couldn't hold him till I was stitched up.  I had a 2nd degree tear and my insides were pretty much torn apart.  Jesse was my distraction, he was my prize!  He is my miracle IVF baby and is so wonderful.







Big brother came to visit!

Jesse: 38 week apt

Our apt was at 3:30, we had a bunch of errands to run and got them done with time to spare!  At 3:15 we arrived at the OBs office, sadly they were running behind and we didn't got back for the u/s  till 3:50.  Jesse looked great, head down apx weight 7 pounds 12 oz; great fluid. Finally we saw my OB she checked me and I was at a 2cm and 50% effaced.  Basically, some of the contractions were doing stuff but not much progress in my book.

We decided to put a c/s on the calendar, but since it was 5:15  pm at that point the lady who schedules them had left for the day.  To say I was disappointed was an understatement.  

We decided to run to a couple of stores and look for a mirror for the master bath. We bought one at garden ridge even tho it was a smidge too long.  

Kinda excited

Tomorrow we have another OB appointment and then an ultrasound and then we meet with the OB. Depending upon baby boy's size depends upon when we give him an eviction date. If he is big we are not going to try for a VBAC. If he is normal sized the c/s gets pushed back...I have to admit the VBAC. Is starting to scare the crap out of me and the c/s happening sooner than later is sounding so good.  The planning and scheduling of his birth seems so appealing! 

Big update tomorrow! 

Off to bed even tho I am not tired bc of an awesome nap!

difference of 12 pounds

I am currently 12 pounds less with Jesse than I was with Owen.  

Jesse is on the left and Owen on the right.  

Gestation diabetes diet works, not fun, but helps maintain a good weight.

Jesse: 37 weeks

Wow.  We are here buddy!  FULL TERM!


How far along: 37 weeks, COME ON BABY!
Total weight gain/loss: I was up 42 lbs with Owen and I am proud to say we are only up 30.8 pounds!
Maternity clothes: Loving that the weather is a little cooler and I am comfy in my yoga pants that I enjoyed  at the end with Owen!
Sleep: Looking back at Owen's 37 week post it seems the leg falling asleep thing isn't new.  I had forgotten that happened with him.  My main complaint is shoulders get so soar.  
Best moments this week:  the progress on the bathroom!  I am so ready to have our master bath functioning again.    
Belly button in or out?: officially out, guess that means he is COOKED!
Craving: ready to eat normal again!
What I am looking forward to: meeting this little guy in a few weeks hopefully.

Stretch marks: my belly is still red and splotchy I am using the same Berts Bees Wax, Mama Belly Butter that I had left over from Owen's pregnancy.  I finally figured out to scrape it out with the top of my finger nail and rub it on.  It is so greasy, but does keep me from feeling dry!  I think Owen's stretch marks have gotten red and the other stretch mark I thought I had disappeared! I will take it!

This week has been difficult.  One evening I had contractions on and off all night long.  They ranged from 6-10 minutes apart and were definitely uncomfortable.  They woke me up at night along with the urge to pee and because I was drinking extra water it made the night very long.  It kinda messed with my head a little too because I was a little hopeful that it meant possibly a baby on the way, but I am pretty sure this guy is going to wait till he is cut out! haha!  After all the preterm labor scares he is going to be stubborn at the end!

We still have a few little things that need I would like to be finished before Jesse's arrival:

• hanging vinyl wall art in Jesse's room
• wash sheets and changing table cover
• clean his room one last time
• few more freezer meals including: shepherds pie and turkey chili (working on that last shopping list next)
• clean up around the house...its just cluttered
• hang a few things that were in guest room now nursery around the house

The BIG Master Bath Renovation still needs:  (wrote this on Saturday and since then the crossed out stuff has been finished!)

• crown molding: hang, prime and paint
• base board: install, prime and paint
• can lights: install trim (still waiting for it to come into supply house)
• 2nd coat of paint on walls
• hang mirror (using my Grandfathers Mother's antique Mirror)
• hang light fixture over mirror
• finish electrical switches and receptacles and some other electrical stuff to do with the breakers
• install thermostat for heated floor
• install towel bars
• install shower door: the guy is coming hopefully middle of this week
• Plumbing: set toilet (needs a good cleaning first), install faucets and fixtures in shower; plumber is set to come Monday morning hopefully before I post this on Tuesday! Haha!  He did!!
• cleaning: the whole thing will need a good cleaning before I will feel like it is "ours" and then of course we need to move our stuff in
• towels
• toiletries
• extra shampoos and stuff!  This is the exciting part as it means we are DONE!

Really only the cleaning and the moving of stuff is my part.  Poor Chris has A LOT to do!  I have started gathering stuff in the hall bath to move to the other bathroom!  I need to remove that stuff and then it will be easier to make room for Jesse's stuff in the hall bath too!

Roughest night yet

Saturday was about like any other day. I walked around, but I don't think I over did it. We took Owen to the park with his Pa-Paw and then out to eat and home for a nap.  I baked a roast in the oven and made a huge pot of Santa Fe soup and froze it.  Well, of course, the contractions start as we head to bed. 11:04 was the first one we started timing. They came about every 5 minutes for several hours till I was finally able to sleep through them and they stopped.  I was up to pee about 6 times and had one or 2 each time but I knew they weren't active labor. That would be too easy at this point.  We are 35.5 weeks and still a little early, but OB said she wouldnt stop labor.  But we want him to be full term. As I type that I also am so ready for him to be here. I feel huge, I am so uncomfortable, those contractions were no joke and I want him out. I worry about the cord around his neck, I worry about a very late loss.  I was talking to my sister and I feel that we are all so happy right now that I don't want someone to pop my happy bubble.

As I type this at 8am, Owen is in his big boy bed talking.  One two three....blast off!!! Silly little chatter from the bed! I love it. 

Jesse, I want you to come when you will be healthy and ready, but heads up mommy's body is getting tired.  

  

Jesse: 36 weeks

Ok, buddy. You can come anytime!  I am so ready for you.  Yes, there is more "to dos" on my list like freezer meals, hanging more wall art in your room but really those things don't matter.

Total weight gain/loss: 29 pounds (lost a pound this week, must be water!)

Maternity clothes: Yes 

Stretch marks: found some new ones on the left side and the belly bump is getting a bit red and splotchy.

Sleep:  A couple of nights have been pretty good, though my belly is so hard to get comfortable on pillow.

Best moments this week:  Threw a good friend her baby shower/sprinkle!  Its been so fun to be pg together!  Love and hate all the double looks I have been getting I must be huge!  Haha!

Belly button in or out?: ugh. so far out a so visiable through ALL my clothes.

Craving: not much, just if I don't eat all my snacks I do get hungry and it is hard to get full again. Maybe a brownie! 

What I am looking forward to: Possibly 3 weeks and I get to kiss his face.

I did get a few things done that I am kind of embarrassed to admit.  I am so over prepared.  Today Owen and I went to the car wash.  Everything, I mean everything came out of the van including a toddler's car seat.  That was so gross!  Then during naptime, I installed the baby car seat, mirror and put our suitcase, breast feeding pillow and blanket for Chris in the van!  Yes, I will be driving around with all our junk in the back for weeks, but it was cluttering up the floor in Jesse's room and driving me crazy.  Now all we have to do is grab the last minute items (the very detailed list is on the fridge) and put them in the duffel bag and go!  Last night Chris hung a bunch of "art" on the walls!!! 

Haha!  Here we are:

This morning as I took Owen to school I asked him if he noticed Jesse's car seat? He said "uh-huh, when Jesse outside I buckle him, ok mommy?"

Ok buddy! You can buckle him.  Chris and I got a great laugh because it isn't about helping mommy it is ALL about the buckling 

Time for Freezer meals again!

We had been trying to eat out the freezer before I had to thaw it out last week.  I am so thrilled at how organized and clean it is again!!!

Its pretty organized right now, but once the food freezes solid I will move stuff around to be more like my plan below:
Top Shelf will be meats and meals
Second Shelf will be breast milk (eventually) and Owen's food
Third shelf is frozen veggies
Big Forth shelf is ice packs and other bigger stuff
Bottom Shelf is frozen chicken breasts, pizzas and packaged stuff

But onto the reason for this blog post!  My plan for freezer meals this time.  I am one month away from our due date so usually I shop one day and do a recipe or 2 a day.  It works best if I plan for us to eat it for dinner that night too; so, I am not cooking dinner AND freezer meals.  I always get exhausted doing this even when not pregnant because it is a lot of work, but it really is so worth it for after baby.

Week 1:  Chicken and Pork

• bags of cooked shredded chicken breasts
• chicken pot pies
• Mediterranean Rosemary Chicken Thighs
• Boneless Pork Chops
• Marinated Pork Chops

Week 2: Beef and Ground Beef

• Shepherds Pie (I really want a new recipe b/c we are not in love with the one from Owen's freezer meals, its decent so I will use it if I cant find a better one)
• Santa Fe Soup: seriously this is the EASIEST to make!!
• Beef Stew or Zesty Beef and Veggie Stew

Week 3:  Ground Turkey

• Mild Turkey Chili
• Ground Turkey Cheesy Casserole

Most of the recipes are in my old posts so check them out!  

here are the dollar store pans and they have a reflective side that I put towards the food and a white side that I write directions for later on!

My white erase board is getting full!

Jesse: 35 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 30 pounds (9 less than OWEN)

Maternity clothes: Yes 

Stretch marks: about the same, but belly is getting itchier!

Sleep:  I am miserable and will probably get more sleep once he is here! Still up about every hour and the couch is getting more comfy than the bed or at least hopping between the 2 is good.

Best moments this week:  Meeting with the OB and putting a "plan" on the calendar

Belly button in or out?: ugh. so far out

Craving: not much, just if I don't eat all my snacks I do get hungry and it is hard to get full again. 

What I am looking forward to: OB apts every week and hopefully getting closer to having this boy outside in my life and arms!

My 35 week appointment was pretty good and though we did have a slight hiccup.  My weight gain is right on track, my blood pressure, urine and belly measurement were "perfect".  Then she did the strep B test and checked my cervix.  Well, my cervix didn't really agree with that exam and I started gushing blood.  My OB said it was more than she liked to see, but I really wasn't stressed and it stopped before I left the office.  Thankfully.  

Chris is working on the master bath again.  We are hoping and praying the tile guy comes this week.  This baby is going to be here before we know it!!  We spent 2+ hours this morning figuring out the marble top size (normally this would be templated by the installer, but we are saving money templating and installing it ourselves....YIKES if we measured wrong!!). 

Almost ready for you Jesse!

Well, I am just soooo ready to say the nursery is 100% finished and it's not.  I didn't meet my August goal.  It is so close that I am not beating myself up over it.  Tonight, however, I did start on my September goal....freezer meals. UGH! I am so not looking forward to it!

Step one was defrosting the freezer.  I now am praying it defrosts quickly as i have 2 coolers full of food that i don't want to go bad! It was so full of ice on the shelves and some food had spilled on the ice and only way to clean was a complete defrost; that is happing as i type!  Step 2 was gathering my recipes together and making a grocery list and putting dates on the calendar to cook.  Most of the meals I plan to make extra for our meals too so I am trying to look at it as not that much extra cooking.  One good thing about emptying the freezer is getting rid of the hash browns from Owen's freezer meal cooking (3 years ago!!! Gag!) and some of his baby food I made!  LOL!! 

I am excited about clean stocked and organized freezers!  I plan to keep a list of the meals on the white erase board again and hopefully a tally of the frozen veggies too (will help with shopping and not over buying).  

Sadly, the master bathroom is at a stand still.  I was really hoping the tile guy would come today and he couldn't and it probably means he has jobs early next week too. Ughhhhh! Guess Chris is going to have to hang stuff for me this weekend on the walls so I can still have a feeling of accomplishment!!! Fingers crossed that it all gets done!  

Ok, so I talked to Chris about hanging stuff and apparently he has a bunch he can do in there...I knew that he was going to need to sand and sheet rock mud some more, but it sounds like he is wanting to finish the electrical in there too!! Can lights and fan!! 

Freezer is almost thawed!  I just spent 10 minutes breaking ice and dumping water!!  Hope to get the food back in there tonight! Got to love how long it takes to write a post these days!  I started writing at 3pm and it's 8:45 now.  

Wish I had taken a before pic of the freezer it was BAD!  

big boy and little baby updates

First, my big boy had his first day of play school yesterday!  I am SO VERY PROUD of him! Truly, he has the best personality! On the way to school we talked all about leaving MeMe in the carseat and coming back to him after school ends.  We talked about how some of the kids might cry, but Owen was a big boy and would be ok and didn't need to cry.  We talked about how he was going to have snack and play on the play ground and how he needed to listen to his 2 teachers. I told him he would have a good fun day at school with his buddy Colin.

We got to school, took the first day picture in front of some of the brick of the church and walked into his class.  OH MY!  Most of the class was crying. Owen seemed fine so we washed his hands, found his friend Colin, they started playing in the kitchen together, he gave Mommy a kiss and that was it!   He was happily playing when I left!

When I picked him up he looked tired!  We had a cute little chat that went something like this:
Hi, Owen!!
"Mommy you came back to me!"
Owen what did you do at school?
"Play with trains" "Play outside"
Did you have a snack?
"yes, COOKIES!!!!"
What did you have to drink?
"water! I threw my cup away!"
Did you play with Colin?
"uh ah"
Did you play with the other kids?
"NO, they crying!"

BAHHAAHAHAHAAHAHHA!!  I LOVE THIS KID!!!

In Jesse news!  I think he flipped, which in this case isn't a great thing!  He has been head down every u/s and OB appointment.  The way I know this is that his hiccups have been very low in my pelvic the past month or so.  Well, yesterday I felt this weird rolling, a movement that hasn't happened this pregnancy.  Then he has been kicking in a total different location and last night the hiccups were in my left rib cage area.  :/  Dude, are you just doing everything to ensure we have a repeat c/s?  His size being big, me having gestational diabetes and now him being in the wrong direction.  My belly went from a basketball look to more of 2 melons when I look down!  Haha, thankfully I don't think it looks weird to others!  Hopefully, he will flip back!

Hospital bag list:

Here is what we are bringing:

Jeanna: 

2 pairs of underwear 

2 pairs of socks

Black Yoga pants and a nursing top that I plan to wear home that is a little nicer than just a t-shirt!

Nursing bra

Nursing black tank top
Black Robe
flip flops

Night gown that I can nurse in, but feel covered if we have visitors 

Toiletry kit 

Eye mask, glasses, extra contacts 

Blanket 

2 pillows 

sound machine
snicker bite size bars to share with the nurses
Sunkist individually wrapped prunes for me to eat to help move the #2!

Chris: 

Sweat pants 

T-Shirt 

Shorts

Flip flops

Jeans

Nicer t-shirt to go home in for pictures

Socks and underwear

Laptop

Magazine
Pillow and a twin sized quilt

Jesse: (in the diaper bag)

2 cute onsies (that we put Owen in at the hospital)
Going home outfit
several cute hats (the hospital supplies them, but they are ugly!)
blanket in case it is cool for going home
car seat
nursing cover
Hand Breast pump and bottle (don't want to pay for these again, even tho the hospital does have them)
Cloth Breast Pads
Medela Soft Shell Breast Covers (these rock, they keep fabric off your soar nipples)
Breast Friend (breast feeding pillow)

Last Minute Items to grab:
My purse-throwing in Ipad, chargers for Iphones and Ipad, my wallet and make up bag
Pillows/blankets, 1 rolling small suitcase, one duffle bag and the diaper bag
Car seat and Breast feeding pillow
Hair Dryer and flat iron
Owen big brother present (we are thinking a kids toy digital camera that he can take pictures of Jesse with)

Jesse: 34 weeks

Please beware this post may come across as whiny, but really I am just plain miserable pregnant right now and in all honesty here it is.

So, lets start in the mornings.  I wake up sleeping on my back because my shoulders hurt from switching side to side.  If I sleep on my left my left shoulder KILLS me, if I sleep on my right my right leg falls asleep.  So then when I wake, I stress that I have somehow hurt Jesse because I am once again sleeping on my back and can't help it!  I then poke my belly or worry till I feel him move.  There isn't a lot of time to just relax and lazily get out of bed because my toddler is usually calling my name.  Our mornings are the best.  I am the most relaxed, Jesse seems to sleep usually and gives me gentle movements of reassurance and light kicks.  By lunch time I am getting soooo sleepy, but I have to get Owen fed and myself.  If we ran errands my body is so ready for some chill time.  After Owen gets into bed it is my only time with any energy to get anything done, but sometimes I am so tired.  If I am motivated I end up doing way too much (like today).  If I am tired and I can I will take a nap.  These naps are AMAZING!  I will end up sleeping for hours and not moving an inch, but then that leads to a night of tossing and turning.  Then again I toss and turn if I don't nap.

After Owen is up it is time to cook dinner, clean the kitchen and general more running around the house.  This leads to my belly getting so hard and heavy.  Finally, Owen is down for the night and I usually let myself relax.  Recently, this hasn't been the case.  I sit down and immediately Jesse decides it is "dance party".  He kicks, he rolls he basically is killing me!  I love feeling him move, but I don't remember it HURTING like this.  Sometimes, he is so low I am afraid he is going to fall out or kick his way out.  Some evenings the contractions start.  They come about every 10-20 minutes starting at my belly getting tight, then it feels like it moves up my chest and into my head this weird pressure.  Sometimes this will last till it is time for bed and even when I am laying down and trying to sleep they still come.  This is when I really get worried.  Though now that we are 34 weeks I am ok with him coming anytime.  Even though I really just want to get the BATHROOM DONE!

As I am typing this, Chris is working hard at 8:45 in the bathroom.  He is muding and sanding the ceiling and some of the walls.  The plumber is due back tomorrow to HOPEFULLY finish the rough in plumbing.  I am so ready to have this baby and so ready to have our bathroom back.  I don't want to bring Jesse home to a construction zone, but it is most likely going to be the case.

Total weight gain/loss: 

Maternity clothes: Yes and some of my favorites this summer are no longer fitting :(  I am down to t-shirts and sweats just about! 

Stretch marks: I think there is a new one on the underside of my right belly.  Thankfully, I can't see it most of the time!

Sleep:  I am miserable and will probably get more sleep once he is here! 

Best moments this week:  My mommy friend threw us a "sprinkle" it felt more like a baby shower and I am all stocked up!

Belly button in or out?: OUT and people are commenting!

Craving: not much, just if I don't eat all my snacks I do get hungry and it is hard to get full again. 

What I am looking forward to: having a baby this month or NEXT month!  FINALLY SOOOO CLOSE!

Per Bab.y cen.ter:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (about the size of a cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

34 weeks bare belly