Oh, Hi Core and Judgement!!

Hello CORE!
Yesterday was my first yoga class since January 3rd.  It felt so good to be back.  I felt revived and peaceful.  The class was lovely and I cannot wait to get our schedules aligned with lots of yoga and other fun work outs!  I feel much better than what I thought I would (my body).  Not too terribly sore, but my core is definitely still there and in need of some serious love (I accept this challenge). 

Now, let me tell you what wasn't so lovely.  Rather alarming and gross.  I have bumps all over my arms (this is caused from the remaining hormones leaving my body), my legs and arms are super jiggly and one of my boobs is bigger and saggier than the other.  While I realize it is going to take some work to pull it all back together, I was rather grossed out yesterday.  As I have mentioned before having a baby is not the most glamorous process! 

Hello Judgement! 
Here is some unsolicited advice from me to those of you that will be having a baby soon or in the future.  Brace yourself for judgement from others.  Prepare yourself by holding strong to what you and your significant other have agreed upon and stand behind those ideas.  I am saddened by the amount of judgement I see and have experienced since having O. 

When faced with said judgement always remind yourself you are doing what is best for your child.  You are loving them like crazy.  You are making sure all their needs are met.  You are looking out for and protecting them with great fury.  For me I know no matter what-  I KNOW with 100% certainty whether people agree with how we choose to raise O that they could never call us bad parents. 

Now, if you are a crack pipe smoker, beater, loser- that is a whole other blog post and your type sickens me to no end. 

Please keep in mind- this is not to say I have not received a shit ton (yes a shit ton) of support as well.  I couldn't get through each day without the support I have of my amazing friends, family and husband.  They are truly the pieces that hold this all together.  As one of my friends said the other day, "it really does take a village to raise a child"....  It is so incredibly true. 

Last but not least this little dude is almost 7 weeks old!  He is smiling and growing so much each day.  We are currently trying on a new routine/schedule and so far it is working out very nicely.  I plan to post about this method after a couple weeks of using it, so hold tight! 

This is how I woke up the other morning.  It makes the lack of sleep, ringing ears and unbrushed teeth all worth it. 
Le sigh.  My loves.  My cup runneth over.

C Section information

I have had quite a few people ask about what to expect with a c section and what to take to the hospital so I am dedicating this post to that- from MY perspective.  Keep in mind, every persons body is different and we all have different experiences!  I am keeping this one as short and to the point as possible, only highlighting what I found to be most important or things I wish I would have known prior to going through this surgery. 

Must haves for your hospital bag (these are just a few you will  not find on most websites that have great lists of things to pack):
-Granny panties: 
That's right!  Go get yourself some hot ass panties and add to the hotness by upping the size by one.  I chose the Gap brand and bought a couple pair at my size 9 months pregnant and a few pairs a size up.  I was really happy I had both to choose from.

-Comfy PJ bottoms and loose fitting tops: 
Self explanatory.  Having these will motivate you to get up and change out of that awkward hospital gown.  Trust me, it feels great.

-Face cleansing wipes:
I am so happy I threw these in!  It was nice to have them to wipe my face and feel a little normal until I was able to get up and shower.

-Music!  Whether it be your itouch, ipod etc.  It is so nice to have. 

Important things for after your c section:
-GET UP AND STAND OR WALK AS SOON AS YOU CAN:
I cannot stress this enough (and everyone who told me to do so - THANK YOU, it was spot on).  I am completely convinced this helped with my healing.  Let me also tell you it hurts like a mother f***** the first few times and quite frankly for awhile after that, but each day I promise it gets better and better.  If walking seems way out of the question the first time you try with your nurse (they will let you know when it is time so don't try doing it on your own) just work on standing up and sitting back down.  Oh and I cannot forget, also take it easy and don't push yourself too hard.

-Take the meds!
Another simple thing that is so important.  Your doctor has given you pain meds, stool softeners and gas x for a reason!  Take them as prescribed!  I am one that is very sensitive to pain meds many times they cause vomiting (which would be awful to experience after a c section), so after a couple days I decided to tell the nurses I was fine and didn't need the pain meds.  She kindly told me to be careful with doing so, but listened to me.  Win win, right?  Not so much.  I found myself in some serious pain within only a couple hours.  So, what I am trying to say AGAIN is take it as they have prescribed.  Once you are home and moving you can play around with how you want to take pain meds.  I found ibuprofen did the job just fine.  Last but not least, take the stool softener and gas pills.  I promise you will regret it if not. 

-Use the pads provided!
Depending on your hospital, pads are normally provided.  USE THEM.  And take some home!  Also make sure you have plenty of your own supply at home too!  My bleeding was minimal, but I did have quite a bit of bleeding and oozing from the incision site so they would place a pad long ways across my incision so the staples wouldn't catch on the hot mesh panties or granny panties I was wearing.

-Drink all fluids carefully!
This may seem funny, but if you get fluids down the wrong pipe and start coughing or choking I cannot begin to tell you the amount of pain (even on meds) you will experience from the incision site.  This happened to me (even after a friend warned me- I was trying to be careful- HA) it was the worst pain I have ever felt hands down.  I would imagine the same pain would also result if you don't take your stool softener and try to poo, sneeze or vomit.  I will also tell you it hurts to laugh, but not as bad as explained above.  Just be sure to put pressure on the incision site with your hand or pillow when you laugh, cough, sneeze etc.

-Take a shower as soon as your doctor says you can.  It feels great! 

-Last but not least, if you are healing quickly be mindful not to overdue it.  I am guilty of this and wish I would have taken a little more down time.

As always, if you have any other questions please send them to me.  I am more than happy to answer questions based off my experience.  C sections can be very scary and I would like to make them seem not so scary.  Now that I have been through the process I wouldn't have it any other way (don't judge)  ;) 
  

Good stuff...

Hot damn, today was my almost 6 week check up with Dr. D'A and it went well.  Cleared for all exercise, within reason of course.   Time to get my booty back in shape- starts tomorrow.  :) 

 

I also had to take the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale).  What?  You didn't automatically know what the EPDS is?  Ha!

Really?  A test where I check boxes and add up the score to determine whether or not I am depressed?  I call bullshit on this said test.  It reminded me of the "quiz's" I used to love to take when I was younger (and sometimes now, why not?) in the Cosmo magazines.  Anyway, nether here nor there- I passed with flying colors and I am not considering hurting myself or others and especially not Owen. 

Does it make me seem about 12 years old because the clipboard ad made me giggle?  Good stuff for sure. 

Here is what O has been up to lately:
-Staying awake more and more
-Peeing on me 2 times and pooping in one diaper change early this morning (yes another moment where I needed a camera)
-Smiling
-Reaching
-Trying to find his words
-Focusing on objects
-Rolling over
-Hanging with his Aunties and girlfriend (yes, he currently only has ONE girlfriend, he isn't a player) ha ha
-Working out a lot- both vocal cords and physically (this ninja dude has a super strong neck for his age)
-Last but not least chillin' with Dad-  doing some trading, market reading, listening to music on the iPad and singing. 

And since today is National Love Your Pet(s) Day, I pay a tribute to my 3 fur kids:  Kona, Meadow and Enzo who have all been great and love their little Ninja brother so much!

As Kenny Chesney sings:  "That's The Good Stuff", I say THIS IS THE GOOD STUFF! 

Sunshiny day!

I have been working on this particular post since Thursday.  Now that our little Ninja is awake more (which I love) my time is spent a little differently as each day passes. 

I am so happy to report that Owen is feeling much better.  Wednesday after following up with his doctor again we decided to change the formula one more time and are so happy that we did.  Now, it is our turn to try and catch up on some much needed sleep..... or try- key word, TRY! This is something I am NOT good at.  I am working on it though.  ;)

O is 5 weeks old now and we are still sticking close to home and not getting out into public quite yet.  We have had a couple Starbucks dates, but that is it.  Just a few more weeks though and I will feel comfortable taking him out and about more.  I think the first places we will visit will be all of our favorite restaurants.  Some may say we have an issue, but Joe and I love eating out and trying new restaurants. 

Tonight I want to give a big shout out to some of the most amazing women I know.  They have helped me with O.  Been there to hang out and stay the night.  Answered my questions or just come by to hold him and shower him (and me) with love.  I honestly have no idea how anyone does this alone.  I, WE are truly blessed. 

 





 

In the blink of an eye....

And just like that our little Ninja is 1 month old! 

 

This is nothing like the professional pictures we had taken of him at 6 days old (hold tight, those will be coming soon)-  it is the Mommy and Daddy version with two of his favorite friends.  ;)

Baby hangover

Perhaps you have experienced a really bad hangover.  Perhaps you have not.  If you are in the "have not" category, that is perfectly ok in my book just take time to think of the last time you had food poisoning as I refer to my baby hangover.... 

In my words:

Bad hang over or food poisoning examples:

• most typically hovered over a toilet, trash can or worse- car or floor.   Praying to something you either believe in or never have and making promises you will never do said behavior that caused the sickness again. 

Baby hangover examples:

• no sleep (as result you see things perhaps that aren't there), ringing in ears (and not the type from a really loud concert) and moments of praying to something you either believe in or never have making some really "out there" promises as it is awful to see your baby in any type of pain or discomfort.  This one truly is out of your control and all you want is for your baby (and you) to feel better. 

So, you can see- one of these things is much and not like the other. 

I may be speaking way too soon, but I think I am just now coming out of my baby hangover.  Owen started having some issues last Thursday.  And when I say "issues" I mean behavior that gets your attention.  Behavior that is much different.  After watching him go from sweet baby to crazy baby we were convinced it was a belly issue. 

Here is what we did:

• We started with a nipple change to his bottles (we think a huge success)
• Food change to a more "gentle" one (time will tell, but we THINK it is working)
• Swing purchased - we were hoping to get through without one, but alas here we are (again, time will tell- doesn't seem like the best purchase right now - given our situation anyway)

I spoke with O's doc this morning and he wants us to give it until Wednesday to see if there is improvement or if things are the same.  He does seem a little better (which I am enjoying so much, there is nothing worse than your baby being in pain), but still not 100%.  So, for now I do my best to nurse my baby hangover (is there a "hair of the dog" remedy for baby hangover??  I can't think of one, but let me know if you know of one).   

My heart breaks when he looks like this:                     Phew, here is my happy baby!  ;)

Today, for a friend....

Many of you know her personally.  Many of you know her only through the blog her and I started together over a year ago.  And maybe you don't know her at all yet.  However, had it not been for her, for us meeting and sharing our crazy stories, STILL would have never been.

Today, 2/8/13- is a big day for my friend Molly and her husband Jason. Today they will continue their journey. Today they will transfer one little perfect baby. 

So, if you can today-  please send love, thoughts and prayers their way. 

Cluster whaaaa?

Cluster feeding: A term used to describe the irregular and unpredictable feeding patterns of the newborn. Newborns often eat in multiple sequences when they have a wakeful period.  This can also indicate a growth spurt is taking place.

Growth Spurt:  Cranky behavior can be par for the course during growth spurts. He might wake more frequently from naps or nighttime sleep as well. During the newborn period, it is best to feed through these spurts. You may want to talk to your pediatrician on how to handle frequent night waking of your older baby. If your baby has had a solid weight gain pattern, you may not want to go back to return to feeding your older baby more frequently during the night.

"I've got my eye on you, don't even think about
not doing what I tell you to"....  ha ha

I like to refer to said "cluster feeding" as a cluster f***.  ;)  Pardon my language, but honestly- it is no fun for us or Owen.  While I am really happy he is growing big and strong, the cluster feeding/growth spurt that is occurring in our household has me asking who took my sweet little Ninja and replaced him with this cranky booty little man.

Now, before I go on I must also say MY definition of a cranky child would be laughed at by many of our friends who have actually experienced a real cranky/fussy child. We still have it very easy, it is just new for us. Apparently each time these 2 things happen it only lasts a few days. We are on day 3. Maybe today is our lucky day? 

O is also trying on some new multitasking skills. 
Brace yo-self.  Eating AND pooping at the same time.  So far this has been a huge fail for him as the tasks combined equal him choking on his food and spitting up.  Wow weeee, you want to see a pissed baby?  This is how it is done.  ha!  The fit only lasts a matter of seconds but as a parent when your child chokes (or screams for that matter of fact) it feels like forever.  I keep telling him to be patient that all his Ninja skills WILL come with patience and time....  he does not listen. 

He is also quite frustrated with the fact his little nose is very clogged and congested.  Poor dude.  I have been to 2 stores for Little Noses and they are sold out.  Joe is on the mission today to fill this order.  Hopefully this will offer him some relief.  I mean can you imagine eating from a bottle with a clogged nose?  That would make anyone pissed off! 

I am tellin' ya.  It is tough being a newborn.  I leave you with this to warm your heart and make you smile.  Happy Tuesday.