Another New Ride

I think I might be to blame for this one.  We have a double stroller which I LOVE.  Recently, I’ve been taking the kids to the park near our house.  I take the stroller from the parking to the playground basically to keep Tommy contained (the boy is a runner…).  Well, I often just ease the stroller up and over the plastic edging instead of going around to the opening.  The issue is that I let is take a rough drop down when we leave and I think the repeated jolting from that is what broke it.  The mechanism that pulls the pins and allows that stroller to collapse is broken and would be too much time and effort to try and fix.  Sad.   So, we started perusing craigslist for a replacement…and we came across this little gem!  Even better is that it has a little bench for Maddy!  She can either sit or stand as we ride along.  It doesn’t handle quite as nice as the old one, but I’m okay with that.  We took it for a maiden voyage after dinner tonight and the kids loved it!  We are thinking of taking the kids to Disney this fall, so this will be even better as it can accommodate all three! 

Well Visits for Two

Aaron had his 4 month well visit on Friday--which was also his 4 month birthday!  He weighed in at a whopping 18 pounds, 9 ounces (95th percentile) and was 26.5 inches long (94th percentile).  He is a BIG boy!  Tommy's baby book is still in a box, but I'm fairly certain that he was not quite this big at the same age.  Maddy also had her 3 year well visit...I delayed hers a bit so I could get two appointments on the same day (fortunately, Lance was home to hang out with Tommy).  At 3 years and one month, she is 29 pounds and 3 feet and half an inch tall :).  She is on the petite side of things, which is just fine with us!  Aaron had 4 vaccinations (3 shots--owie!--and one oral), and Maddy got her first flu mist.  She didn't fuss or anything, but wasn't quite sure what to make of stuff being sprayed up her nose.  It was pretty funny--she just kind of went stiff and wouldn't sniff to make sure she got it all in.  I'm still a bit skeptical about how much of it actually got up there, but the doctor assured me that she was old enough for it and would handle it okay.  Maddy was just happy she didn't have to get a shot as well.  Tommy, however, won't be so lucky as he is too young--he will still have to get a shot for the flu.  I'll probably try and get him in next week. 

Aaron's Birth Story

Well, this is definitely a bit over due (no pun intended)!  Despite my deepest hopes that Aaron would arrive early on his own, I found myself quickly approaching my due date.  I had really hoped that he would arrive sooner than later for a ton of reasons: my body was aching, I had graduated at the end of April and just felt like this next thing needed to happen, I didn't mind having to stop work that much sooner, more time before Lance had to start residency, and biggest was our timeline for moving to Gainesville.  At my 37 week appointment, my doctor threw out the option of inducing labor.  He made this suggestion for 2 reasons--1) he knew we were pushing up against our moving deadline and I REALLY wanted him to deliver the baby and 2) Aaron was starting to look pretty big on ultrasound.  As you might recall from some of my last few posts before he came, I was VERY anxious about the decision of whether or not to move forward with an induction.  Most of that anxiety came from fear of reading that inductions are often linked with an increased frequency of c-section.  I had little reason, really, to worry about that given that both Maddy and Tommy were relatively typical vaginal births, but it still kind of put me on edge.  However, when it came down to it, I just wanted to have this little guy with MY doctors in a hospital with which I was familiar.  Oh--and in case I need to refresh anyone on timeline, Aaron was due on May 27th...the day on which we began our move out of Tallahassee and down to Gainesville.  So, yeah, not the most ideal scenario.  So at 38 weeks, I called my doctor and agreed to schedule the induction for Monday, May 23rd; two days after Lance's graduation and four days before we were scheduled to move.  {I don't recommend this sequence of events if you can avoid it.} I was 39 weeks and 3 days, so there was no worry that he wouldn't be good to go...and already an estimated 9 lbs.

Monday morning we arrived at the hospital around 6am.  We had to check in via the ER since it was still so early.  They couldn't find a wheelchair, which was fine since I wasn't contracting and could waddle just fine on my own.  It was an odd feeling going up to Labor and Delivery knowing that we would be seeing him soon.  It was much different than the first two kiddos--but it is kind of neat that I've had three different experiences with each (my water broke with Maddy which necessitated the trip to the hospital, and I labored at home overnight with Tommy and arrived at the hospital at 8cm with Tommy).  I arrived and the nurses came in and began the process of getting me all set to go.  It wasn't until maybe 8 that one of my OBs (there are two in the practice--this was Dr. Hall) arrived.  He checked me and we discovered that all on my own I was already 5 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced.  I probably would have gone pretty soon if I was walking around at 5 already!!!  Prior to this news we didn't think it would take long, but now we were pretty certain that things would move quickly.  He broke my water and we began the wait.  Well, after about 3 hours of some very minor and inconsistent contractions, I decided we should probably let the nurse know that not much was happening.  Well, almost nothing happening...I kept having to go pee due to seemingly massive amounts of IV fluids I was already receiving.  At any rate, she called the office and got the go-ahead to start pitocin.  I was worried about this--I knew that pitocin could get some angry contractions going.  Oh--I should probably take a side bar here and talk about my desires and expectations for this delivery.

So, with both kiddos prior, I elected for an epidural.  Maddy's was done before I knew the anesthesiologist had begun.  It was quick, easy and painless.  Tommy's however...not so much.  The doctor had a tough time finding the epidural space and kept sending jolts down down my left leg.  It was a horrible and painful experience.  Also, I guess I responded uber well to the anesthesia because I could not feel ANYTHING.  Makes pushing next to impossible.  After the latter experience, I decided I didn't want to run the risk of getting evil zaps down my back and/or legs ever again.  Even if it meant evil contractions...and pushing a baby out...and feeling every painful moment of it all.  I figured I had labored at home until 8 cm with Tommy, so it was doable...I mean, I knew I could do that much!  That said, I had made sure to talk with both my doctors at my last couple of appointments about my ooky experience with Tommy's epidural and how I didn't want a repeat performance.  I told them that I wanted to go it without the meds and needed them behind me on my decision.  -And this is just one reason I loved them so much...both were 100% behind me.  Dr. Morales even added in that his wife had a similar run with their 3 kids and said that her last, and only pain-med free birth was by far her most positive and memorable birth experience.  {If we have another, I so bummed that it won't be under their care.}  So, I guess that's how I ended up with a "birth plan" of sorts.  It wasn't written down or dictated to nursing staff, but just what I decided I wanted to shoot for...and I had Lance, my doctors, and my family there to support me.

Ok...back to the story...so they were ready to start the pitocin.  I'd had pitocin with Maddy due to my labor stalling out after my water had broken, BUT it was with an epidural, so I hadn't really felt the effects.  However, being a once avid watcher of all of TLC's and Discovery Health's baby shows, I knew that pitocin often brings about pretty intense contractions.  This scared me.  I let the nurse know that I wasn't going to elect for the epidural unless it got REALLY bad and I was nervous about the medical induction (no mechanical/dilating agent needed because I was already so dilated) for contractions.  She assured me that they would start at the lowest possible dose and off we went.  That was around 11am.  It did not take long at all.  By noon, I was in a very regular pattern of decent contractions.  They weren't evil, but definitely required focus and breathing to manage.  I had Lance and Kathe, Lance's mom, there helping me breathe and focus.  Around 1:00, Lance stepped away to eat some lunch his dad and sister had brought.  Kathe let me squeeze the poo out of her hand during that time (thanks for that! :)).  Not long after that, I must have entered the transition phase of labor-I can't remember if they checked me to see how much progress I'd made-and the contractions were BRUTAL.  I continued focusing and breathing through...but man did it hurt.  However, it still wasn't bad enough for me to ask for an epidural.  My doctor offered stadol (single dose narcotic via shot) to help take the edge off and I said YES.  It was the weirdest sensation.  First, I kept blinking and got all woozy.  It was so hard to keep my eyes open...I was all dopey feeling.  I could still very much feel the contractions, and they still required focus and breathing, but it was like doing so through a thin lens of sorts.  Again, just a very strange combination of sensations.  This got me through to the end of contractions until it was time to push.  And then I REALLY wished they could give me more.  Things took a dramatic change for me here.  Throughout all the laboring, I was pretty calm and confident.  I'd done this much before sans meds and knew I could do so again.  Pushing unmedicated, however?  New can of worms.  Mentally, emotionally, physically, I went into an all out panic.  It was HARD.  It HURT.  I turned into a big sobbing and hollering mess of "It hurts! I can't do it!"  Yeah...just like those crazy women on birthing shows.  I'm embarrassed...lol.  I had to ask Lance how long it took to push because that part is an absolute haze to me.  He said it was four contractions of three pushes each and I had Aaron out (3:54 pm).  Now, I'd heard that once you birth a baby out naturally, many people experience this euphoria and adrenaline that leave them feeling so calm, great, and all happy go lucky with the baby...um, yeah, not here.  I was still reeling from the whole Ring of Fire deal (OUCH). I think the whole afterbirth experience was also pretty horrific, too...didn't really realize how much went on down there until I was feeling it all.  I was so spent, in pain, and just...traumatized that I could barely find it in me to hold him. :o(  I vaguely remember holding him for a quick minute, taking a picture or two with him and my doctor (somehow we managed the WHOLE hospital stay without a picture of me, Aaron and Lance...VERY bummed about this), and Lance going with him to the nursery.  Oh, and before he left, I remember a nurse saying something about 9 pounds which ended up getting posted with the first pictures on Facebook.  Yeah, turns out that was their GUESS.  As most of you probably know by now, his actual birth weight was 9 lbs 13 oz (and 21.5 inches long).  Lots bigger than I ever imagined he would be.  I can't believe I got him out.  Seriously.


Despite all my perceived trauma and pain, I actually only needed one itty bitty stitch.  Funny because I had lots of stitches with each of the first two.  I definitely got to feeling better much quicker than previous births, too.  I was up and walking later that day, which is significant because I'm a weenie when it comes to pain (see above comment about crazy sobbing hollering mess).  We ended up staying only one night.  Now this was a decision I regret and will NOT make again if the opportunity arises (i.e. we have another baby).  I mean, I was okay to go home, but I was not quite ready to re-assume the duties of mother to two on top of new baby and getting ready to move.  Yeah, should have stayed the additional night that would have otherwise been typically recommended.  My OB and the pediatrician were fine with us going upon our request, however, so off we went.

So, in sum, it was the hardest and the easiest delivery I've experienced thus far.  We're not sure if another will follow, but we'll see where life takes us. :)  Aaron has been such a wonderful baby and although not planned, we couldn't imagine our world without him. 

Here are a handful of pictures from the first couple of days. :)

Getting all wiped down

I'm glad there is a picture, because this is during the big blur after he came out :(  I'm almost surprised I didn't pass out from the pain.

My amazing OBGYN, Dr. Morales.  Gonna miss him!

Our big boy

So sweet...and secure with his baby alarm on his leg :)

Proud daddy with his newest little man

Maddy meeting her newest little brother

My little brood :)

Afternoon Delight

These are just a few pictures I took recently while the kids were playing outside.  

I think this is one of my most favorite pictures ever. :)  I need to get it printed and framed.  The kids were investigating some barking coming from the neighbor's yard.

I just like the sunlight in this one.

Me and my not-so-little guy

Chubby feet!

Picture Post!

I just thought I'd post some pictures since my last couple of posts have been more on the wordy side of things.  Some of these I may have posted to Facebook as well.

The kids and I were getting the mail one evening when we were surprised to see Lance drive past us and into the driveway.  I barely had the mail out of the box and the kids were already back to the driveway to meet daddy with a big hug.  Fortunately, I had my phone on me to snap a picture. :)

We were headed to the library, I think, this day.  I just had to snap a picture because they were looking super cute.  I told them to say cheese and got the cutest faces!  This was also the day I cut Tommy's hair.

Maddy was making silly faces and Tommy was trying to do the same. :)

Same day.  By the time we got home, he was OUT.  Fortunately, this 10 minute car ride nap did not negate nap time.

Aaron taking an afternoon snooze with mommy.

He is becoming so talkative and expressive!  On Saturday, I ran a slew of errands with just Aaron.  It was so easy running around with just one kiddo!  Ahhh, perspective! ;o)  I also took time to grab lunch.  We spent time "chatting" while I enjoyed a yummy salad at Panera.

Aaron is starting to roll around!  Here, he ran into the couch and was stuck.  Its funny, though, because one day he'll be rolling across rooms and then the next (like today), he can't remember how to get from his stomach back onto his back.  He's a pro at rolling from back to stomach, though!

Bath time is easier for mommy now that he can hold himself up better!  He enjoys the water :)

I posted this on FB a couple of days ago.  What cracks me up is that half the people who saw it somehow missed the fact that Aaron is laying on the floor in the picture...lol.  Another instance of him getting stuck due to furniture being in the way. :)

An Almost-Swing Set

The grandparents have made the kids’ day with a new swing set for our back yard.  Well, sort of.  After HOURS of painstaking work to assemble this beast by Grandpa Tegen, his friend Mr. Mike, and Lance, we found that there were parts missing for the swings.  Fortunately, Lance called the manufacturer and they will be sending those parts in the mail later this week!  In the meantime, however, the slide has provided just as much fun. 

(Oh, and in reference to my previous post—all of these pictures were taken with my phone!  I think they are pretty decent.  I should have taken one or two with the camera for comparison.  I’ll have to do that soon and post the results—run a little poll or something ;o) ).

The Blessing and Curse of the Smartphone

Where would I be without my smart phone???  I am so glad that we got them when we changed up our provider and phone numbers.  Being that my last laptop had become a desktop and having any type of a computer laying around is impossible with the "big" kids, it allowed to stay connected to the outside world during Aaron's early weeks of night feedings and such.  It is definitely handy dandy for taking quick pictures of the kids--especially while out and about.  I read something in Reader's Digest that stated most Americans have their cell phone within 3 yards of them at all times...so true.  I often struggle now on trying to make sure I take pictures with the actual camera, too.  I get some really great ones-surprisingly good ones-on the phone, but typically get overall better quality on the camera.  Other blogging moms and friends--how do you manage this balance?  What do you prefer?



See--phone right within reach! :)

(Maddy had to jump in a quick shower w/ me before church one morning and I forgot to grab her a towel, so she had to toss on mommy's robe while I ran to get one.)

Trying Something New

I’ve had a few folks tell me about a new blogging tool—Windows Live Writer-and so I’m giving it a quick try.  Actual posts coming soon!

Tommy Gets a Trim

Last month, Maddy and Tommy both got their first hair cuts.  Well, turns out Tommy is just like Lance--his hair grows ridiculously fast.  Additionally, his first cut wasn't the best ever (from the lady at Great Clips) and the patches of uneven lengths of hair were becoming more obvious as his hair grew.  Over the past week, I've been deliberating on whether or not I should try and cut it myself.  I mean, we do have a trimmer/clipper.  I was unsure if Tommy would tolerate it (the initial haircut was just with scissors) and also wasn't sure if I could do a decent job.  I tried to cut Lance's hair once upon a time.  He had to go somewhere to get it fixed...but all I had to do for Tommy was buzz it, so I figured I couldn't mess it up that much. :)  So, on a quick whim I decided to just go for it today.  Tommy was great and just sat nicely as I lopped it all off!  He's so cute! :)

His sweet strawberry blond locks.  No, I didn't save any...

The finished product.

I can't decide if I think he looks older or younger with his hair buzzed.  What do you think?

Gymnastics

In an attempt to give the kids some extra fun during the week, I decided to enroll them in some activities at the local YMCA.  This was their second week of the "Rolling Rascals" gymnastics class.  Its geared for kids 18 months to 3 years, so I was able to get them both in a class together.  Maddy could probably do the next group up, but I only have so many hands and too many kids...lol.  Aaron comes along too.  Fortunately he's napped in the stroller both times.  The class is supposed to be more of a parent-child interaction, too, so having both kids makes it challenging.  However, we are the only ones who have come to the Thursday morning class (all the other enrollees do the Tuesday morning one), so I can kind of bounce between the two kids or just let Tommy play on whatever if Maddy wants more attention.  (Tuesdays we try to make playdates with the resident spouse group.)The drawback to it being just us is that they aren't getting some of the formal/group turn-taking and social stuff I was hoping it might reinforce.  That's okay, though.  I think this set up is good for us as we are now.

When we arrive, the kids go through the same routine.  First, a CD with different tunes to which you either, run, hop, tip toe, etc around the red square.  Initially, you are told what to do, then the second time you have to remember what activity goes with each tune...and the music kind of sounds like what you do (a xylophone to tip toe, cowboy music for the gallop, and so on).  Then we do some stretching with really cute child-friendly directions (make a "butterfly" with your feet together in front of you and then make it "fly" as you stretch).  Next is a water break as the teacher sets up the stations around the room.  We try and do 3 circuits.  At the end, the kids get some play time in the ball pit and on some other play equipment.  Last, they get a sticker or two.  Maddy LOVES it.  Tommy is happy to run around pretty much anywhere.

Because there was just us again today and Maddy is old enough, the teacher, Ms. Cassie, tried some more advanced stuff with her that they typically introduce in the next class up.  Its nothing super fancy, but I was proud of Maddy!  Maddy has no problems with somersaults, so we tried to do some back rolls/flips down a wedge. She isn't quite there, but did a really great job!  The other really neat thing was the monkey bar (I don't know what it's really called...its like a single bar from the uneven bars).  She taught Maddy how to do what she called "monkey toes."  Basically, Maddy was hanging from the bar and then brought her feet up on either side of her hands and was hanging by her hands and toes and swung a bit!!! I was so proud of her for trying it and then doing so well her very first time!    Ms. Cassie suggested I move Maddy to the other class, but I can't do that with all 3 in tow.  This YMCA has childcare but you have to be a member and they only take babies 6 months and up.  If this class is a overall success, I might consider joining in the Spring.  That way they can do separate classes.  I can put the other 2 in the childcare and really have some good one-on-one time with whoever has class.  Additionally, I can put all THREE in and start getting some exercise and me time...woo hoo to that possibility of that!  The Y is about a 7 minute drive, too, so that is more incentive to take advantage of it.  Again, we'll see.  This session goes until October 22.  I'm hoping that we can make it work in the Spring!

And, of course, given that I am monitoring one child and chasing after the other two, snapping pictures is kind of tough.  I did snap 2 last week, but none while there today.  Here's what I've got:

Maddy during the free play at the end.  This is the preschool gymnastics room. That red wedge is what she does her somersaults and back flips down.  The red and blue slide in the back is currently. Tommy's favorite station. Against the back mirrored wall is a balance beam that Maddy walks across while doing toe kicks; she really likes that one, too.



I think Tommy would just hang out in the ball pit the entire 45 minutes if we let him. :)

This is from this morning as we were getting ready to leave (boo for the blurriness).

Maddy was very excited about this special "gymnastics outfit."  She still fits in these 24 month leggings...lol.  T-shirt is a 3-T that we finally pulled out of the "for later/too big" drawer.  (Thanks Grandma Rapacz!)



I'm Baaaaaack!

Just a random picture of everyone lovin' on Aaron :)

Well, I don't know what was up, but thanks to the new blogger interface my javascript error seems to be a thing of the past.  My computer knowledge was just enough to discern where/what the issue was, but not quite enough to figure out the remedy--despite lots of searching online and making some repair attempts.  Oh well...the good news is that I'm able to post again!  I suppose I could have been preparing posts in Word and saving them to post, but I just didn't want to do that (well, that and I haven't installed Office on our new laptop).  Its kinda like how I never liked writing rough drafts for essays or papers in school.  There's just something about the flow of typing it right out and editing as I go.  But I digress...  Anyways...be watching for a slew of new posts in the coming days and weeks!!!

One Less Excuse

*7/28/11 Oh, the irony of this post...singing the joys of no longer having Vista, but wondering if Windows 7 is at fault for my technical issues...ugh.

*As I tried to post this on Monday, I come to find that blogger is down with some technical issues...figures.

I blame the type-A personality in me for the blogging drought. I feel like I shouldn't blog out of chronological order...but if I wait to catch up, you may never hear from me again. My other excuse (aside from moving, a new baby, and the start of Lance's new job...you know, those little things) is that my laptop has been more of a desktop for the past year or so. It HAD to be plugged in to work, which limited where and when I could get to the computer. It has a host of other annoying issues as well, but that was the biggest as far as blogging went. Well, thanks to that along with a hospital access issue for Lance (it runs Vista which is arguably incompatible with everything), we ended up getting a new computer. I'm hoping for far fewer issues with this one!
So, now I have one less excuse to throw up some posts. And I think I'm just going to have to get over the whole posting-in-order-of-events deal. And with that long and perhaps unnecessary preface, I will resume updating our tiny little corner of the web. I'm still hoping to get stuff up from May and June, but we'll see...