Monday, April 30, 2012

Weekend Happenings

We had another busy weekend around here! We got to see lots of family and the weather was beautiful-we had  a great time!
Saturday morning was the Jenks Herb Festival. Ryan and Kari, and Shawn's sister, Michelle, met us there. She brought my sweet little nephew, Noah. 






We loved all the succulents. I want to DIY a neat concrete planter full of the cute little plants.                      

 Saturday evening Shawn and I became hooked on 
Downton Abbey. So good!
Downton Abbey and baby feet:)   
Sunday was lunch with Shawn's parents, Grandma and Grandpa. I forgot to take pictures:(
Then we had a little nap time- with no naps. Henry is a stubborn little guy.
Sunday evening was a going away party for my sweet little cousin, Allison. She's moving to California to date movie stars:)
We followed up the party with more Downton Abbey.  It was a lovely weekend. I can't wait for Friday!

Happy Monday!!!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Packing your Hospital Bag- Must Haves

This was another topic I Googled like crazy when I was near the end of my pregnancy. It seriously stressed me out that I might forget something at home and not have them come hospital time. So here are some of the things I consider must haves.

For Delivery Room
  • Soft stretchy headband and hair ties
  • Slip-on slippers, socks
  • Chapstick
  • Baby book if you want the nurse to stamp baby's footprints
  • Camera
  • Ipod or something for music
  • Comfy nursing bra
  • Glasses if you wear contacts
  • Robe if you get chilly
  • Snacks for hubby or change for vending machine 
For Recovery
  • Your own pillow with non-white pillow case
  • All your normal toiletries-soap, toothpaste, razor, lotion, etc... (the first shower is the best shower of your life!)
  • I stayed in a hospital gown for the first evening- you're bleeding so heavily and don't want to ruin your own clothes. But the next day I was comfy in yoga pants, a nursing tank, and hoodie or sweater. Practical and appropriate for visitors.
  • Sleep mask- they keep the rooms bright at night for the nurses
  • Going home outfit for you- you will still look about 6-7 months pregnant, btw!
  • Extra bag for any gifts and freebies you're given at the hospital     
  • PJ's
  • Lanolin
For Baby
  • Going home outfit. bring a couple of sizes just in case. 
  • The nursery will keep the baby swaddled  but it's fun to bring a few extra outfits, your own blankets, hats/mittens, etc...
  • Car seat
What I didn't need
  • Cute gown for delivery- it will most likely be ruined
  • Extra underwear- the mesh ones they give you are comfy and you get to throw them away:)
  • Pads- the hospital will give you plenty and send some home. 
  • Magazines, movies, etc... you won't have time or will be too tired
  • Boppy
  • Nursing pads- my milk didn't come in until I was home 
  • Breast pump
Make sure you have at home
  • Extra pads- I hadn't used them in ages and did a little research. Always Infinity are the best!
  • Colace
  • Nursing pads
  • Lanolin
  • Gripe water or gas drops, baby tylenol, saline drops/spray for baby
Well that was long! Hope this helps someone!! I know posts are boring without pictures- I promise to overdo it with my next post :)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Embrace the Camera

How is it already Thursday again- Life with a newborn is such a blur! Time to Embrace the Camera!!
I just love these shots of Henry and I cuddling one morning while he napped on me. Love this boy:)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

My Pregnancy Must Haves

Because I miss being pregnant. For reals. I frequently said I wanted to keep Henry in my belly forever.
My mama bear instinct kicked in immediately after I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to keep him safe and tucked away from the world so he'd never leave me. That's probably one of the reasons he hasn't had a bottle yet, yes I have issues... :)
Anyway, I seriously loved and appreciated my entire pregnancy. It took us a while to become pregnant and I am so grateful I was able to. Thankfully it was smooth sailing until the last month because of my blood pressure. Of course I had some nausea (but never puked!), aches, and pains- and these things were lifesavers at times!

1. Pellegrino- The bubbles helped settle my tummy aches. I looove the carbonation and it kind of makes you think you're drinking a cocktail!  Also, I have sweet memories of drinking it everyday on our honeymoon in Rome:)
2. Face Wipes- Pregnancy made me EXHAUSTED!  These are great when you've spent all your energy going to the bathroom for the 20th time and don't want to take off your makeup.
3. Ice- Sonic's is awesome. I craved Ice- I heard that can mean an iron deficiency? But I was fine... Anyway, never thought I could crave ice, but it's true. I just remembered my hospital has the best ice in the world. One more reason I'm excited for my sister-in law to deliver:)
4. Pedicures- I lived for getting my nails done! Honestly, I would have been happy just sitting with my feet in the warm water and getting my legs massaged. Probably would have been cheaper. 
5. BabyCenter.com- I loved getting weekly updates to see how our little bean was growing. The message boards are my favorite part. It was really neat to read updates from moms due at the same time. I loved everyone's posts announcing their babies were here!
6. My IPhone- So I could read babycenter.com at 3 AM when I couldn't sleep.
7. Body Pillow- Plus about 5 other pillows. Bed became reeeeally uncomfortable towards the end. I used pillows to prop up everything I could!
8. Leggings- I loved mine from Old Navy. I was able to avoid buying a lot of maternity clothes with these. My too-short-because-of-my-huge-belly dresses were wearable with these underneath. And they're so comfy! I love to wear anything that feels like PJ's. 
9. Sushi and Mexican Food- Don't freak out, no raw fish. But I could eat it everyday while pregnant! And Mexican food, my goodness do I love it! 
Now I'm hungry:)


Monday, April 23, 2012

Weekend Happenings

What a nice little weekend we had around here! I reeeaalllyyy appreciate my weekends so much more now that Henry is here- we have Daddy home to help and let momma take naps:)

 Saturday morning we met my brother and sister-in-law, Ryan and Kari, at the Farmer's Market. It was such a beautiful day!



We then headed to Sand Springs Herb Fest. It's a cute little festival we go to every year. It's full of gorgeous herbs, flowers, and all kinds of vendors.
We introduced Henry to the yummy baked goods from the Amish:)
Clearly he's thrilled. He must not share his mother's love of carbs yet.
See Kari's cute bump? My sweet niece is due any day now! 
Check out her fabulous nursery on Kari's blog.

That evening Shawn did bath time with Henry so I could go get a mani/pedi- my first in 7 weeks!
 Yep, just posted a pic of my feet. Sorry. (Gilly, anyone?)

Sunday, Henry and I went to our friend Gia's first birthday party!
Babies galore!

It was a great weekend filled with family and friends!

And one more random pic from our walk this morning
Lots of new baby ducks at our neighborhood pond- so cute. I love spring!
Happy Monday!



Saturday, April 21, 2012

Meet Henry! (My Birth Story)

  Our sweet little man came into this world on March 2nd, 2012.  We never could have guessed how much a 7 pound, 11 ounce little peanut could completely change our lives. I think the past seven weeks have been more exciting and eventful than the almost 6 years we've been married. We are completely smitten.

  While incredibly personal and intimate, I wanted to share the basics of my birth story. For myself to remember the special day, and for other mommas-to-be. I searched for hours and read what seemed like hundreds of birth stories before having Henry- they're all so different but I wanted to soak up all the info I could get! Also, women just looove to share their birth horror stories. I finally got to the point during my pregnancy where I'd have to just cut women off when they started in with their scary details. My experience was just wonderful so hopefully it encourages someone.

  During my third trimester my blood pressure was getting higher and higher at every doctor's appointment. My fabulous doctor, Dr. Coleman, decided 38 weeks was enough and wanted to induce me before I could develop Preeclampsia.  So I was sent to the hospital to be monitored overnight and  induced the next morning.
  We finally had a room around 9 PM. They hooked me up to all the monitors and the nurse said I should try to sleep. Sleep was not happening. The blood pressure cuff was constantly going off, I had two tight bands wrapped around my belly to monitor the baby's heart rate, and I had to use the bathroom every 30 minutes. I know those aren't real problems compared to what some pregnant women go through, but I was completely miserable and so ready to meet our little guy!
  Around 3AM they started the Pitocin. They would increase the dosage every hour, but I didn't start contracting or feel any cramping for a few hours.
  My doctor came in around 9 AM to check me. I was only dilated 3 or 4 cm and 70% effaced.  I was 2-3 cm at my appointment a few days earlier. (I was at 2 cm and 50% effaced by 35 weeks and never progressed).
  So we decided it would be best to break my water. About an hour later I started to really feel the contractions. They were coming really frequently and lasting longer and longer.
  My awesome nurse, Olivia, checked me around noon- she told me 3 to 4 cm still. I knew I wouldn't be able to last much longer, Pitocin is no joke! Olivia told me she thought it was the perfect time to get the epidural, that my body needed to relax so I could progress. So I asked for my epidural, knowing it would take about an hour for the anesthesiologist to arrive.
  The anesthesiologist arrived around 1PM. At this point I was pretty much in tears. My contractions were over a minute long and less than a minute apart!!  All I could do was stand next to my bed and sway, while my nurse and husband knew not to touch or talk to me:)  I was definitely more afraid of the epidural than I should have been. Hardly any pain. The worst part was having to be completely still during four contractions while there was a needle in my back!  But it worked perfectly and almost instantly. Olivia tucked me in bed and I was finally able to sleep! I took a nap and she came back to check me an hour later. I was at a 9!!! God bless good nurses, and anesthesiologists:)
  I spent the next couple of hours totally relaxed and taking little naps while watching Friends on TV. I was fully dilated and effaced around 4pm. It was time to push!
 Dr. Coleman was delivering another baby at the same time so I pushed a couple of times with Olivia to make sure I was ready. The baby was right there and she told us about all the hair he had. We just  had to wait a few more minutes for Dr. Coleman to come back.
  I loved how peaceful and stress free the room was. We were just chatting and joking around while my blissfully numb legs were up in the air (with a huge spotlight on my lady parts). So awkward but I could care less at that point!
  Finally, my doctor was ready to catch my baby! Shawn counted while I gave 3 big pushes, and Henry was here!  Shawn cut the cord and they laid him right on my chest, such an incredible feeling. He gave us a few big cries then just stared at me. I couldn't believe how alert he was. Seven pounds, eleven ounces, 20.5 inches long. Just perfect. I felt like I had known him forever.
   My husband and I wiped our tears and realized Friends had been on in the background the whole time LOL. Shawn made a mental note of what episode was on-Maybe we'll try to watch it every year on his birthday! Way better than a recording of the delivery:)





Thursday, April 19, 2012

Embracing the Camera

So I've been following Emily's blog for a long time! Every Thursday she encourages everyone to embrace the camera- don't worry about what you're wearing, how your hair looks, lack of makeup... just get in the picture!  Years from now you'll be so glad you and your family have pictures of all the memories you're making today:)
So here I am with Henry his new K'tan carrier. We LOVE it! Henry's not a very good napper but after one minute of being in this thing he was out! And I was able to eat lunch and fold laundry-amazing!
So don't worry if you haven't washed your hair in 2 days-Embrace the Camera :)

Friday, April 13, 2012

My First Post!

Well, hello! My name is Kate, and  I'm so excited to be starting this little blog. I feel like time is just flashing right before my eyes and I desperately want to remember the details. I plan to write about my life as a new mom and post way too many pictures of our sweet little boy.
Thanks for stopping by- hope you enjoy:)