Birthdays!

Lila has had several birthday parties to go to this summer.  It has just been crazy.  This weekend she had THREE!

Earlier this summer she went to her best bud, Ky'Lynn's party.  It was so cute seeing them get to play together again.  They hadn't seen each other in over a months since their daycare closed in May.  Broke my heart because she had so many friends there.

She attended Jamisen's Art Party on Saturday and her cousin Graham's 2nd birthday Saturday night.  Erin had a fantastic party for Jamisen's 5th birthday.  The kids got to paint their own canvas, make stamp bookmarks, and make beaded bracelets.  The cake was adorable and the treats were so creative.  Everything looked as if it came from a painter's artbox.  Needless to say, Lila had a blast.

Today we are going to her friend Felix's 5th birthday.  He's having a swim party!  Who doesn't have fun at a swim party??  I'm pretty sure the Ninja Turtles are going to be there too. :)

Now it's just about time to start to think about Lila's birthday.  She started out wanting a basketball birthday.  Now she has changed her mind to a ballet birthday.  I'm going to give it until the beginning of September before we start purchasing things for the party.  Who knows how many times it will change between now and then.  :)

Friday we went Burdette Park with Ash and Samuel and Callie and Felix.  Viv got to stay at home with her Great Aunt Lisa and her cousin Halle.  I'm sure she had a blast.  As for Lila and me, we had a ton of fun.  I even got to go down the slides with Felix since 1. Lila isn't tall enough and 2. even if she was, she's too chicken.  :/  Hopefully one day she'll love the slides.  :)

From One to Two

I've been wanting to post something on this for weeks now, but am just now getting around to it.  Many people have asked me about the adjustment from one kid to two.  I can honestly say, it really depends on the day.  Some days are super easy.  Everyone is in a great mood.  Things just go very smooth.  Then there are days where Vivian wants to be held all day and Lila wants me just as much.

We have been very blessed with the time we've had since V was born.  Neil was just finishing up school and still working part time so he was able to be home and help me out a lot.  He has also gotten to enjoy this newborn stage a little more this time.  After L was born, he took a week off with me and then headed back to work, working lots of overtime hours for a little bit of extra cash.  Of course, she was my only responsibility so we could do whatever we wanted.  I could nap with her, play with her, watch TV if I didn't want to take a nap...you name it, I could do whatever.  I could fix supper with no problem at all.  Now, if V is sleeping, L is more than likely not (she has tried to cut out her own naps) and then she wants to play.  We have to work on inside voices and quiet activities.  In case you don't know this already, that's absolutely zero fun for a two and a half year old.

There are many days when she watches too much TV and eats too much junk.  I just keep telling myself that this time will pass and we will be ok again.  Neil usually tackles bedtime with Lila while I nurse and get Vivi down.  We go pretty used to this routine and it was working quite nicely.  Then a *GOOD* wrench was thrown to us.

My husband passed his boards!  He had just completed the RN program at the end of May and was waiting for the opportunity to take the NCLEX.  He did amazing, as usual.  So now, he has started working full time as an RN (here's the wrench) 7p-7a.  That makes for a long night for me when V doesn't get to sleep sometimes until 11:00 and L is a maniac and won't go to sleep at a reasonable hour.  Most of the night I'm home alone with them consist of L watching Cinderella or playing on the iPad until I get V to bed.  Then by the time I get in there, L is asleep too.  I know it will get better, but I feel like I'm depriving her of all mommy attention.  It's sad when I think about it.  I don't want her to resent me or her sister.  I know she's just 2, but I worry about these things.  I keep telling myself that I was almost 4 when my sister was born and I don't remember feeling left out or being upset with my mom.  I just try to spend as much time with her as I can.  It's getting easier.

We have never been the kind of people that are content sitting at home and relaxing.  When V was 2 days old we went to one of my brother's track meets.  Getting out and doing things helps.  My family is close by and they are really helpful with taking Lila and entertaining her (which she LOVES) while I get to spend some alone time with Vivi, something that is also important to me.  I cant thank them enough for the help and support they've given me!

Vivian is now 9 weeks old and becoming her own person.  She is more content sitting and watching and taking everything in now.  I can usually put her down and get some stuff done.  She is happy to just kinda hang around and talk to the lights and fans or look at the trees out the window.  Overall, she has been a completely different baby than Lila.  She was very trying for her first month, but developing more and more every day and really becoming a good baby.

Placenta Encapsulation

Yes, I did this.  Some of you may know what this is, some of you may not.  For those of you who don't, it's basically exactly what it sounds like.  You take your placenta and encapsulate it.  Well, not me directly.  I had someone do it for me.  Here's my story.

When I had Lila, I was so excited and determined to breastfeed.  I thought it was going to be pretty easy...and it was, physically.  Psychologically, not so much.  I very soon fell into that category of women who thought I wasn't making enough milk for my baby.  This was mainly caused by a doctor that we saw when she was 4 days old and still down from her birth weight.  A COMPLETELY normal situation.  My milk hadn't really come in yet, but I was actually not even concerned at all until we went to the doctor for a check up.  As soon as we left, I started freaking out.  "If she hasn't gained by next week, we may need to start supplementing."  WHAT???  Already?  This was the furthest thing from my mind.  I couldn't believe it.  I went home with those words in the back of my head.

Now any first time mom would tell you that they were uncertain about things.  The next day, I got my pump out and started pumping.  (Keep in mind that Lila was only 5 days old at this time.)  I was only pumping like 2 oz, which is totally normal for a 5 day old belly.  But there it went.  It was a numbers game from there.  I ran off to Walmart later that afternoon and got a can of formula.  Of course she sucked it down when I gave it to her, but THAT, my friends was the beginning of the end of my supply with Lila.  5 days into it.  I continued to pump for 12 weeks supplementing a bottle or two a day until I called it quits completely.  At that point, I was so stressed about it and not pumping as many times a day as I now know I should've been, that I was making almost no milk at all.  I was mentally drained with the breast milk situation.  Lila went to straight formula after that.

I want to note that there is absolutely nothing wrong with formula, it's simply a mother's preference on which one they choose to give to their baby.  It has been scientifically stated, that breast milk is the perfect food for babies, that's why God gave mother's the ability to produce it.  Anyway, this is only the first part of my story.

Part two begins when I'm about 4 months pregnant with my second baby.  I had read of placenta encapsulation when Lila was a baby, but never before that so it wasn't an option in my mind with her.  A girl I went to grade school with, Emily Stockdale, posted a piece on Facebook that she was going to do this.  I immediately remembered that she also had problems with her first baby and milk supply.  I read what she wrote and thought, "boy, I would really like to do that too".  When she had her second baby, I asked her about the process and her experience with it.  She was ecstatic about it all.  She was making milk and actually storing some extra.  So, I really wanted to do it then.  She lives on the west coast and I wasn't sure how popular this process was in the Midwest, let alone small town Southern Illinois.  Well low and behold, Emily found a woman in Carbondale who did it.  I emailed her and we ended up talking extensively about it.  I was sold.  Now...selling it to Neil, that's another thing.

It was easier than I thought.  He knew the struggles I had, both physically and emotionally with breastfeeding Lila and totally sided with me on this.  After all, for $250, you can have someone take your placenta and turn it into pills that will not only help your milk come in faster, but can also assist in postpartum healing, physically and emotionally, as well as help your energy level.  Thinking about that number by a dollar sign may seem a little steep, but when you calculate the cost of formula over the course of a year (or even 6 months) it definitely outweighs the $250.

Carolyn was so helpful in educating me on the placenta during pregnancy, during birth, after birth...there are a million things I didn't know.  Humans and a few species sea creatures are the only mammals on the planet who do not consume their placenta in some way.  I like to say that that's because humans are the only ones smart enough to know that it's kinda weird (hee hee), but seriously, there is a reason all mammals do it. Why not try it out?  What could it hurt?

Fast forward to April 27 and Neil has taken the placenta into custody.  LOL  He had to bring it home for her.  Carolyn came to our house and did the whole process.  It took about 24 hours.  She was done and gone before I even got home from the hospital.  AND my kitchen was cleaner than it had been since we moved into the house.  HAHA

I got started on the pills, which pretty much just looked like multivitamins in capsule form, as soon as I walked through the door.  My milk came in on the next morning.  I was in shock!  Last time I never felt it come in and even when it was here, it didn't seem like what everyone said would happen, was happening.  This time it was like magic.  I honestly could not believe it.  By the next day, I even had to cut back on the pills because they were doing their job so well!  I can say that this time has been just amazing.  I can't say that I still didn't freak out and wonder if she was gaining weight, but I trusted my instincts a little better this time.  I didn't let a doctor (from who we have since switched) freak me out into giving formula and essentially tanking my supply within days of birth.  I had great resources and great support from my husband.  All in all, I'd say that breastfeeding this time has been a huge success! I'm getting ready to go back to work and will be starting my pumping routine, but I have hopes that this is all going to work out fine!

If anyone in the Southern Illinois area would like the name and number of the woman who did my placenta encapsulation, feel free to email me!  I'll happy to pass this information on, I just didn't know if she would want me to publish her information here publicly.

Vivian Ruth

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post on baby sister's birth, BUT it's harder to find the time with two.  :)  I have lots of stuff that I am wanting to post so sit tight and watch for multiple posts today and tomorrow!

The day was April 26, 2013.  I had had about enough of work for the week and the day before had decided that I needed a day off.  I took a personal day on April 26.  I had a hair appointment and was going to take a few hours anyway, so why not the whole day?

I got up early and took Lila to daycare (this was a personal day after all) and came home and enjoyed my coffee.  I took a look around the house and thought, "what baby would want to come home to this house?".  It was filthy.  It was a mess.  So I headed of to the wonderful world of Walmart and stocked up on some cleaning supplies.  It was amazing.  I came home and did some laundry, cleaned the bathroom, the kitchen, the bedrooms, the floors, dusted, cleaned the fans.  You name it, I did it.  It still wasn't perfect though.

I headed off to my hair appointment and thought, maybe this sweet baby is just looking out for me.  She doesn't want to come when my hair isn't ready...there would be pictures of course and what girl wants to look back and think, "my mom's hair was awful when I was born".  LOL  It was also a relaxing afternoon.

I got home in time to clean up a little more and then went to pick Lila up.  We both decided that I wasn't going to be cooking supper that night (remember the personal day??) and Neil was working since it was a Friday.  When I asked Lila where she wanted to eat, she of course chose Mackie's.  Off to Mackie's we go.

Well, we no more walked through the door at Mackie's and my water broke at 6:00 PM.  REALLY????  Not only was I starving from all the work I'd done all day, but Lila wasn't the only one craving Mackie's.  Damn....

We ordered anyway because I wasn't 100% sure that my water broke.  (Who am I kidding?  Of course I was sure...I just couldn't believe it.)  I let Lila play some games while I convinced myself that, yes this was all happening.  I texted Neil and told him, knowing that he probably wouldn't answer a call since he was working.  I called my mom, who mind you had been stalking me for the past week asking me if I was in labor, and she didn't answer.  I called my dad...WHO DIDN'T ANSWER!  Are we seeing a trend here??  Don't leave me hanging people!  Finally got a hold of Deanna (who was with dad) and told them to get home because I had to bring Lila over.

You may be thinking, why on earth are you freaking out?  This is your second and you know how long these things take.  That's the thing.  My labor with Lila was on the short side and everyone, EVERYONE, had told me that this one would go faster and not to waste any time getting to the hospital.

I finally got Neil by calling the ER.  We got our crap together and to Carbondale we drove.  The contractions were not as noticeable this time around.  Got to Carbondale in a reasonable amount of time and got in the "holding cell" as I like to call it.  I honestly don't know what it's really called, but it's the dreadful place where they put you where you have to sit and answer questions and get your labs done and make sure you're really in labor.  It's a fun little place...not.  It is quite entertaining seeing who is in labor with you and hearing them answer questions.  LOL  There are some dandies out there.  I was dilated to a 4 when I got there, which was decent progress since I was dilated to a 3 at my appointment two day prior.

We finally made the move to the delivery room where I could relax and just, well labor.  I knew a little more this time than I did last time so I walked the halls.  I walked and walked and walked and folks, it truly helped the pain.  I never did this with Lila.  The nurse made me come back in every 45 min or so to check the contractions and fetal heart tones.  It was dreadful in the room.  By about 10:00, I'm thinking, we should be getting pretty close.  I labored about 6-7 hours with Lila and this was supposed to be faster, right?  I was STILL at a 6.  I was making no progress, hour by hour.  The minutes and hours just kept ticking.  I was stuck...stuck at a 6 and not going anywhere.  She was really low, but my body wasn't cooperating.  Finally about 2:00, yes you read that right, 2:00 AM, Dr. Mulch came in and checked me again.  She said she felt a pocket of fluid that had kinda wedged it's way to the side.  She was going to pop it.  And boy did she ever!  Up to this point, I was doing great on IV pain meds and so far had not needed the epidural.  She popped that pocket and I swear to you it sent me in a pain level I've never experienced.  (I must've gotten the epi before that point with Lila).  As you can imagine, the anesthesiologist was ordered and arrived very quickly.  I got the epi and rested for about an hour before she was basically coming out on her own.

Dr. Mulch came in and two pushes later, baby sister was here.  4:03 AM 6 lbs 7.3 oz and 19 1/2 in long.  She had a head full of dark brown hair and was just beautiful.  She was bright eyed and ready to go.  She was all smashed from being so low for so long and snorting a lot.  Sweet little smashed piggy. We loved her already!  Then they asked for a name...uhhhh Neil?  What do you think?  Vivian? Sure.  I mean, unless you have something else? No?  Ok...Vivian Ruth it is!  LOL  That's pretty much how it happened.  :)

Later that day my dad brought Lila over to meet her new sister and she was just thrilled.  I almost cried. It wasn't just my little Lila anymore.  I couldn't spend all my time with her.  Now I was going to have to manage to spend time with both of them.  Tear...tear...tear...we'll cross that bridge later.  Fast forward several weeks and Lila still loves her baby sister.

Keep on truckin'...

Today I'm 37 weeks which many obstetricians consider "full term".  Basically all this means is that if I went into labor now, they wouldn't try to stop me.  If I had a baby now, she would more than likely be fine.  However, the longer she stays in the better it is for her lungs and the more chance she had to pack on some fat.

I'm still running, but my dear friend Alecia has taken over my spin class.  It was getting a little hard to lean forward on the handle bars and perform the sprints.  My classes were consisting mostly of hills at this point.  Hee hee!  Since it's been nicer outside, I've been getting to play, do yard work, and run.  I've also been taking Lila on walks...which sometimes she loves and sometimes she hates.

Speaking of the big sister, she's about as ready as I am to have this baby.  She asks all the time about Baby Sister and tells me what she's going to do to help.  I'm hoping that her being here will still bring out the same feelings that Lila has for her now.  :)  She really is going to be a great big sister, I think.

So now...if anyone who is reading my blog has ANY tips on handling the first days/weeks of a newborn and toddler, please comment!  I'd love to hear what worked or didn't work for you.  We are so excited about the newest addition and very anxious for her arrival!  Also, I guess at this point, you may as well put any name suggestions in the hat too!  LOL  Nothing too trendy or too weird.  I like old-fashioned, classical names.

Have a wonderful day!

Baby Sister Stuff

Finally starting to get things done in Baby Sister's room.  Hopefully she will be here soon, but not TOO soon.    Just some updates.

• I'll be 36 weeks tomorrow.  
• We have still not picked out a name.  
• Lila is ready for her to be here.  This pregnancy has been more uncomfortable than my first, but still not too bad.  My only complaint is that I've had a stomach bug twice this time.  Not fun at all.  
• Neil is up to his ears in PINK!  He knows now that even if we do try again and we get a boy, he's out-numbered.
• I've been much happier since the weather has gotten a little warmer and I can get outside and play with Lila or go for runs.
• I can still wear my wedding rings (which is a HUGE deal for me at this point).

Love these new outfits that she got.  They are so cute!

Lila has a matching one!  Awwww....

33 weeks

I am 33 weeks along this week with Baby Sister or GoGo as Lila calls her.  We are just about ready.  The nursery could use a little more TLC, but I really need to come up with some wall decor.  It's a little bare right now.  :(  I did get some quality time with my sewing machine last week to make some baby things for my sister-in-law's baby shower.  She's due a week ahead of me and is also having a girl.  There's going to be a lot of baby stuff this summer.  On top of that, lots of PINK!

Speaking of pink,  I've been purchasing a few items for the baby in the clothing department.  Since Lila was born in September, the seasons are off just enough to where this baby won't get to use quite as much as we were hoping.  I think once the fall and winter are here, we may be able to use some stuff, but this poor child is entitled to her share of "new" stuff too, right?  :)  Some of the cutest things I've found have NOT been pink and I'm thrilled!  Seems like all things little girl are pink.  I was even able to find matching (sorta, which is good because I'm not big on "matchy matchy" outfits) for Lila and baby.

Not really much else to talk about as of right now.  Things have sorta died down a little around our house since basketball is over and Capel's basketball team brought home the STATE CHAMP trophy!!  WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  In case you can't tell, we're all pretty happy (and a little proud) of these boys!  Great kids!

Here's the pics for those of you asking.  I feel like I always look a lot more tired in every pic during this pregnanct.  LOL  I wonder why!!

So this is me pregnant with baby now at 33 weeks

And this is 32 weeks with Lila