Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Racing to catch up


I already know that I wish I had kept up on updating about Maggie. I love looking back and seeing where Robby was any given week, but gosh darn it, I'm busy. 


Robby's now a trying 3.5 year old, Maggie's 4 months, I'm working full time, with almost 2 hours of commuting a day, studying for a certification exam, Chris is working crazy hours, and I'm just out of physical therapy for my tailbone (though still in pain). Quite frankly, I just try and keep up with breathing!


Maggie continues to be much calmer than Robby. And more focused. She was sleeping through the night from 9-6 from about month one, though has been waking up 1-3 times a night recently because she doesn't eat as much during the day. I don't really mind, as I see her as little as 15 minutes a couple days a week. She started daycare a couple weeks ago, after being home with my mom for a month. She did well, but only slept half an hour the first day. I'm a little horrified that there are seventeen babies in her room. Ah well


Robby's done well with her, and loves her to pieces...literally. Litte rough. But ok. His behavior is starting to improve again after being bad initially. 


Generally things are good, but they are moving too fast to process. 

Maggie/Me

Maggie 4 month stats:
14.2 lbs - 50th %
24.5" - 55th %
Head is 100th %. Eek!  Got my big head

Rolls front to back, but gets stuck on her shoulder back to front. 
Can almost sit. She can if you hold her hand. 
LOVES music and watching her brother. 
Some 6 month clothes, some 9 month. Her torso is really long, but her legs are short. 
Goes to bed between 7:30/8, wakes up at 6:30. Recently she's been waking up at the minimum:11, 3:30
She is starting food TODAY. 
Favorite toys: Lambie Wubanub, crinkly book, floor gym, jumper
Me: I have 2 lbs left to lose, but obviously need to work on tone since I haven't been moving. Sitting and breastfeeding is exceedingly painful, but still doing it (and pumping at work.)  I am a little bitter that I can't enjoy the bonding time, as I'm minimally tense, and, at the worst, trying not to cry from the pain. Letting her sleep in my arms is torture. Really, really upsetting. 

Robby/Maggie

So there is my very fast, poorly written post, just so I can remember. 

Monday, November 17, 2014

Wait, I had a baby?

Oh, I know.  I'm terrible.  What's new.  Turns out that I had a baby 3 weeks ago.  We've been a little bit busy, though.  So, announcing:

MARGARET ANNE (Maggie)
8 lbs, 7 oz, 21"
12:01 pm, 10/26/2014


Maggie ended up being 3 days late, so I was getting a little frustrated, but she came exactly when I had predicted she would all along.  I'm good at that, right?  I called Robby, too.  I had always said that I would go into labor on October 25 during the Penn State/Ohio State game, just because it would annoy Chris.  And wouldn't you know?  I had been having contractions on and off for a couple weeks, but they hadn't really gone anywhere.  All they had done was scare us enough that I had started working from home a couple weeks ahead.  That went surprisingly well, though there was frustration with trying to train people remotely.  But that's a story I won't go into here.

 Overdue

So, I had been due on Thursday, and by Saturday, I was annoyed.  I had thrown up that morning, which was a sign with Robby, so I called up my mom, and we walked the 3 mile loop next to my house.  Nothing.  I tried to drink more fluids, since that was a problem last time, and chill out.  The game didn't start until 8, and by around half time, I was getting some pretty consistent contractions, but they weren't strong or painful enough.  And I had already gone through 3 minute apart contractions for hours the week before that I had even called the doctor about...that didn't turn into anything.  So, I took a shower, went back to watching the game.  Things seemed pretty uneventful, and after SUCH a crazy game that should have sent ANYONE into labor...I went to bed around midnight.  At 1:45 am, I woke up to my water breaking.  Poor Chris.  Two babies in a row he gets woken up at 2 am.


We called my mom to come over and watch Robby.  She, being similarly sleep deprived from watching the end of the game, had some trouble waking up, but made it over.  The contractions still were nothing, but we had to go in because I was GBS positive.  We arrived around 2:45, maybe?  I was still only at 1 and figured we were in for the long haul.  Around 7:30, the doctor arrived, and I was still at a 3, but he was going in for a couple c-sections, and said anyone on the hall that wanted epidurals could have them.  I was in.  And seemingly, I was a curse.  With Robby, the hospital had blown up and been insanely busy, and it happened again this time, too, even though we were at a different hospital.


There I was, not feeling a thing, the contractions had never really been bad, but figuring it would be awhile.  (Remember, Robby had been 32 hours of labor.)  They didn't really even check me much, because I assured them it would take forever.  At 11, they checked, and amazingly, I was at an 8.  The nurse said that she bet I would deliver before noon.  I thought she was crazy, but she turned out to be very close to right.  I was complete, and after FOUR MINUTES and only 2 contractions worth of pushing, delivered Miss Mags at 12:01 pm.  Easiest delivery ever.

Robby vs. Maggie

Maggie came out screaming, pink, and perfect.  9/9 apgar.  Everything proceeded so well that we were released the next day.  Then things got crazy.  Pretty much every human and animal in our house had major health issues (highlights: my gallbladder, Maggie's hand).  Maybe I'll discuss more later.  Our furnace had to be replaced.  Our well was off and had to be tested.  We sold a vehicle.  Etc, etc, etc.  The past 3 weeks have been crazy.  Thank goodness she has been a good kid so far.  Robby on the other hand...  Well, he loves his sister.  But, there's another post, as well.    



Monday, September 15, 2014

Pregnancy Update


In the never-ending saga of completely ignoring the blog, here is my first post in months.  Under the guise of actually doing a few different posts, I will limit this to a pregnancy update.  

Right now, I am 34.5 weeks.  That means that I could go into labor and they wouldn’t stop me.  Woo hoo!  Not that that would be preferable (except for my immediate comfort), but it’s a nice thing to note.  I will continue to admit that this has been a very easy pregnancy, but for the past 5 weeks or so it’s been pretty painful .  Not in any sort of problematic way, but lil girl has dropped, and it’s just getting toward the end.  

I’m starting to have more heartburn issues, as well, which has led to the same thing that happened with Robby…weight loss!  I’m hanging in there at around a 29 pound weight gain, so that makes me pretty happy.  We’ll see if I stay under 30 or not, which was my goal.  Even if I don’t, it shouldn’t be too dramatically different at this point.  

I really haven’t swollen this pregnancy, almost at all.  Just enough that I wear my rings on a chain, but generally I’m pretty good.  My feet have held pretty steady, too, and I’m in the same shoes as pre-preg.  I haven’t really been able to wear pants extensively in some time due to how low she is, so the maternity clothes are a bit different, but again, not dramatically.

This past weekend I had two horrible discoveries: my first stretch mark ever and my first grey hair.  I’ll call them related.  I suppose at 33 and my 2nd pregnancy, that’s not all that bad.  I just would like them to stop there.  That’s realistic, right?  

We’re in pretty good shape, in terms of preparation.  I’ve gotten most of the supplies, washed the clothes, decorated the nursery, all of that.  I have not packed a hospital bag, but I didn’t really until I was in labor last time, either.  

I’m still working full time, and terrifying my co-workers, as I have a 45 minute commute, and am over an hour from the hospital.  I intend to work until I go into labor, so that will be interesting.  I have promised to HIGHLY encourage going into labor the weekend before I am due, so if you see me out running...ha!  I have not really exercised in some time.

So, there ya go.  Quick-ish rundown.  Hopefully I’ll at least update when there’s a baby, right?

And...now I'm 35.5. Just going to post without lots of pics. 

Monday, July 14, 2014

On the Road Again


Since I'm on a train, here is your post. 

Robby is 3. In every sense of the word. He can be funny, smart, goofy, sweet...and an unholy terror. This morning, I had to leave at 5am and he got up to say goodbye, move to our bed to sleep with daddy, and then threw a gigantic tantrum when Chris tried to drop him at school later. It's the way it goes. 


NH trip
Fireworks
Cousin love
Lots of fairs
3rd bday


My pregnancy

That's the 24 week pic, but I'll be 25 weeks tomorrow. Generally, it's been a fantastic pregnancy. I'm still feeling really good. I was much less nauseous this round, so I've gained more weight, but still only at 19 lbs. It's ok. 


Going to the gym most days. 


And...we're having a girl!  No name yet. 

2nd pg where a basement flooded, we had to put in French drains, and remodel. At lest we're almost done. Chris has done a TON of work. 

Guess that's a quick rundown of 6 months. Ha!  Maybe I'll do better next time. 

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Mother's Day +1

Because I have a moment, and who knows when that will next happen, I guess I should mention that we're expecting another little whirlwind October 23. 


That puts me at about 16.5 weeks. I have had a comparatively easy pregnancy this round and am doing well. I was sooooo sick with Robby and figured I was cursed, but was only mildly this time. Which contributed to...I have gained entirely too much weight. I've got to slow down or will really regret it. 


My cravings are very different. Biggest one is tomatoes. They were even an aversion last time!  I have to start slowing there, though, because my good friend heartburn is already back. 

Really the only struggle has been I threw my back out about a month ago and that was pretty awful for awhile. After many chiropractor visits, I'm doing well now, though. 

So, I'm pretty happy this Mother's Day, with my 1.5, and grateful as always for my wonderful mom, who is hanging out with her other grand-kid in progress. :)

Sunday, December 29, 2013

The Monster at 31 Months

Since I have not done so well with the text recently, I am going to try and get a bit more down.


Robby has become such a joy to talk with.  He is insightful, creative, and SUCH an instigator.  He is very careful with his speech.  He carefully considers each word before it comes out of his mouth, but his vocabulary is astounding.  Frequently I wonder where something comes from, whether he's yelling, "We be jammin'" in the grocery store, or talking about gardening, or just is asking for the definition of absolutely everything.  He IS making up tons of stories right now.  Last week, I took him to the doctor and had to start with, "Well, he's 2 and 1/2.  He SAYS that his neck, ear, and belly hurt, and he's dizzy.  I only believe the ear."  Also, if you say no, or tell him something he doesn't like, it's "Don't say "nope".  Don't tell me that.  I watch show.  Daddy said I watch show."  Someone else always has supposedly promised him something.  I get in a little trouble, too, when he reprimands his father.  For instance, "Christopher, you not listening.  My tell Christopher to stop."  That doesn't thrill Chris so much at the moment.  He still says "my" for "I" about 90% of the time and skips some smaller words, but he does REALLY well.  We get comments all the time on how smart and verbal he is.
  

 He continues to look more and more like Jim.  At Thanksgiving, my mom was saying, "It's so weird, he acts like Katy, but he looks like Jim."  Certainly, he has more of Chris's build and face shape, but he looks a lot like my brother.


Music continues to be one of his primary loves.  In particular, marching band music.  He will lead everyone around the house playing different instruments, and insists that it is what we listen to in the car.  He also still loves trucks and trains.  He will tell you that daddy is an engineer, and that means that he draws the pictures to tell the construction workers what to do at the construction site.  He also points out every retention basin and says, "Daddy built that!"  



The animals continue to surprise us.  They are so fantastically tolerant of him.  He loves playing with them, but is still a bit rough.  OK, a lot rough.  But they have never been anything but angelic.  He will tell you that Monster is my cat, Harper is his dog, and that Daddy has a duck (?).  He also claims to see panda bears any time he is out with my mom.





Napping has become more of a battle.  He isn't a big fan.  He still will take 2-3 hour naps at daycare, but fights them at home.  Though as we speak he's on his 2nd hour.  Miracle!  (and I'm cursing myself)  At night, we finally broke the needing to come sleep in our bed, and then had a couple weeks of needing to sleep with the light on, but everything has settled down again.  He sleeps pretty well from around 8/8:30pm until 6am.  He has to have about 5 MILLION stuffed animals, and they have to be arranged properly, but that's ok.  He comes up with a lot of excuses why he can't go to sleep, including that he's peed, though...spoiler...he's still in diapers.  We need to switch to a twin bed, but he's still in a crib without a side for the moment.




Robby was SOOOO excited for Christmas.  And I will try and do a Christmas post soon.  He really understood, too.  He was thrilled to see Santa and did twice.  Once (above) he told him primarily about the motorcycle on his shirt, and the second time he announced, "My throw up on Mommy Daddy's bed."  Nice, kid, nice.  We did a paper chain to count down the days until Christmas, which was very effective from about 10 days out.  He insisted he wanted a train most of the time, but also would tell you guns or a pink castle, just because we had flinched when he said it at some point, and he loved the reactions.  


Cooking is still a big hit, and Chris is a little horrified that I let him do so much on his own.  He measures, dumps, turns the mixer on, etc...  We joke that he could probably keep the animals alive on his own.  For example, he measures 2 cups of food into Harper's dish every meal, then puts 2 1/2 tsp of enzyme on it, adds water, and mixes.  He's got it down.  



Oh snow.  He LOVES the stuff.  He won't stay out forever, because he does get cold, but he REALLY REALLY REALLY loves it.  There is much shrieking if it starts to snow.  We started sledding at the park by our house this year, which has been a big hit.  We haven't had good snow for making snowmen, though, so that hasn't happened yet.




Robby is incredibly helpful, but in his own way.  The above picture was impressive and terrifying.  I went to use the bathroom, and Robby decided to unload the dishwasher.  He carefully put all the silverware into the drawer, except, knowing he wasn't supposed to play with them, he brought all the knives UPSTAIRS to me.  Well, he kind of has the idea.   



Other cute sayings:

- Memaw and Pop Pop live in "Apple Seed" (this is not correct)
- Right now I'm being told "I not want you finish it.  You come down when you finish this?"  Ok, I'll stop.  :)

Friday, December 6, 2013

The Lion at 2.5


Can you believe it!?!?  2.5!  It has gone so fast. And you know what else you won't believe?  I'm on a train. Ok, that was entirely predictable.  I will try to remember to write text later. Almost to my stop.