Newborn Must Haves: Weeks 1-3

YAY for photo collages!! I love doing these--when I actually get the time! :) 

I have been so excited to get to do these "must-haves" and "favorites" posts!! So while little man is sleeping behind me on his playmat (#7) I figured now would be a great time!

1. I haven't braved the breastfeeding in public thing yet. I think it will be easier once Liam can hold his head up, and we are off the nipple shield. So I pump when I know we will be out longer than he can go without eating. We use the Breastflow bottles, which I absolutely love! They are more nipple/boob like and he takes his time drinking, which helps with his gas.

2. When we got home from the hospital and we had to keep Liam on the UV-blanket for his jaundice, we had to keep him comfy while it was wrapped around him 24-7. He slept in this Fisher-Price Infant to Toddler Rocker, which has a kickstand to keep from rocking. When the kickstand is being used, it is almost like a mini-bassinet. So now, during his really fussy/gassy nights, he still sleeps in here where he is sitting up more. It is next to my side of the bed, where I can just reach over and comfort him without getting out of bed.

3. I cannot say enough about cloth diapering!!! We used disposables until his umbilical stump fell off since the cloth were a bit higher in the rise, and I was not about to buy any newborn cloth diapers. Right now our favorites include the Flip covers, Lotus Bumz pockets with hemp insert for overnight, and the Thirsties Duo Covers. With the disposables, we leaked out all.the.time! But since switching, we haven't had any leaks!! This really helps with his clothes laundry! 

4. Wellements Gripe Water! This really helps us at nighttime! Liam hates burping...I really think he holds them in on purpose...ok, maybe not. But seriously, this kid really doesn't burp well. And of course, he makes is discomfort known late at night. So, we have found that 2.0ml of this organic gripe water helps us make it through the night. Thank goodness!

5. I love my water!! Plus when you breastfeed, you have to keep up your fluid intake even more! The Contigo Fliptop Straw is of my all time favorite water bottles! I also enjoy using the gigantic cup I got from the hospital.

6. Medela Nipple Shield. One of the very unfortunate things I learned from my doula was I apparently have too small of nipples to easily breastfeed my son. Luckily they make these handy-dandy nipple shields. I use the contact version so there is as much skin to skin as we can get. They aren't the most convenient things, but it is more convenient than buying formula. Plus, they help shape my nipples along with the nipple shells I have just started using. So hopefully we will be able to eventually stop using both things all together!

7. I love the Infantino Jungle Buddies Playmat! We have a small house, and this mat is compact and can easily fold up. I like that I can have Liam hang out on his mat while I am doing other things around the house. He loves to look at the contrasting colors right now, plus it is easily washable if need be. 

8. I do pump when we go out for longer periods of time, as well as if I am feeling really "full". I found this Avent Manual Pump on clearance at Walmart (for 20 bucks!) and figured I buy it just to have on hand. Well, turns out I really love it! I think eventually I will have to get an electric, but I would love to stick to the Avent brand, super comfy--if that's possible for a breast pump. lol

9. I use these Green Mountain Prefold Diapers as both cloth diapers and burp rags. I love these! First off, I tried putting the diapers around Liam and securing with a snappi, but it turned out I didn't like it as much as must placing it tri-folded as an insert into the cover. Anyways, these are so absorbent and get even more so with every wash! I currently have 12 newborn size and 24 small size.

10. This is where Liam sleeps. We got the Evenflo "Gears" play yard. At first, we were using the changer that it comes with, but I found it too low, and it hurt my back. I like the feature, but I prefer our new set up. (old desk with changing pad in Liam's bedroom) We have him sleep with the bassinet part installed, so he is closer to the top and easier to reach. This may sound silly, but I did pick this pattern because it matched the red in our bedroom. :)

One more thing, that I forgot to put on the collage, we use the gumdrop pacifier. This was something we agreed never to use...and well...the first night home, Liam was screaming and we couldn't figure out why. Me, having terrible sleep for 3 days in the hospital and 4 days prior while in labor was desperate. And...it worked like a charm! Now, I try not to use it unless he is really really fussy, usually just at night or if we are out in public. He doesn't wake wanting it, or keep it in his mouth consistently, so far at least...  Hopefully he wont become attached to it. I guess time will tell.

41 Weeks Pregnant + Super Moon + Labor Update 1

 

The largest full moon of 2013, a so-called "supermoon," will light up the night sky this weekend, but there's more to this lunar delight than meets the eye.
On Sunday, June 23, at 7 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT), the moon will arrive at perigee — the point in its orbit bringing it closest to Earth, a distance of 221,824 miles. Now the moon typically reaches perigee once each month (and on some occasions twice), with their respective distances to Earth varying by 3 percent.
But Sunday's lunar perigee will be the moon's closest to Earth of 2013. And 32 minutes later, the moon will officially turn full. The close timing of the moon's perigee and its full phase are what will bring about the biggest full moon of the year, a celestial event popularly defined by some as a "supermoon

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/06/22/supermoon-rises-in-weekend-night-sky-sunday/#ixzz2X1sptxVj


Anyways, on to the post! It seems typical that I would wait until the full moon to go into labor. At least I think I'm in labor... Let's go back a bit...

As you may have read in my last post, that I lost some of my mucus plug early Saturday morning, I didn't notice many contractions that were worth paying attention to. I really tried not to make a big deal out of little pangs and cramps. Anyways, at 9pm Billie was here to watch Back to the Future pt. 1--We lead exciting lives I know (but in all fairness, she has never seen it-shocking I know!) I began having more patterned contractions during the movie. I didn't bother timing them until it was over around 10:30ish. We were about to head for bed at this point. Scott took a quick shower and I began timing them. They were averaging 8 minutes apart, lasting for 1 minute. They felt completely different that all the other ones I've ever had. The pain always seems to be in my back--even though Liam's position is correct--apparently I'm just cursed blessed with back labor? Anyways, we decided to try to have sex to keep things moving along. Afterwards, maybe 15 minutes or so, I use the bathroom (again!) and there was a very large glob(?) of mucus/blood! And more spotting. I was still having contractions on the same pattern that definitely grew in intensity. I was up and down, after every other contraction I felt the urge to pee, so I was up a lot. I even got hungry so I ate a greek yogurt and a slice of banana bread (I had the urge to bake earlier today). I fell asleep a few contractions after I went back to bed. It was probably about 1am. I have been waking every few contractions, but not really realizing why I am waking up...until now. 4am hits and I am up! These contractions are painful!! So far my contractions are lasting 45 seconds, with about 7 minutes between. So that's where I am at currently. I am going to try to go back to sleep, if I cant I will try to take a bath/shower and see if there are any changes. I'll update you when I can. Happy Full Super Moon everyone! :)

40 weeks + 6 days Pregnant

Tomorrow marks 41 weeks! Yikes! So here's the update so far. I had a midwife appointment yesterday. Here's the stats:
Weight: +.5lbs, total of +44lbs for the pregnancy! UGH! oh well...
Blood pressure was a bit higher for me, I typically have near perfect blood pressure. 130/88
Fundal Height: 44cm--pretty consistent with my measurements lately
Fetal Heart rate: 120bpm
Fetal position: ROA
Cervical check: .5cm dilated, 80% effaced.

If she could have gotten through my cervix, she would have done a stretch and sweep for me, but I wasn't quite open enough. She told me not to expect to go into labor that day (fri) or saturday.

So from the exam, I had a bit of spotting, which I know is normal. But this morning, Scott and I were going to help get things moving (wink, wink) but I had to pee first (of course) and when I went, I noticed I still had a bit of spotting--which had pretty much stopped last night around 10:30pm--and when I went to flush, I noticed something in the toilet. I am 99% sure it was some of my mucus plug! Heck Yes!! FINALLY! I feel like something is happening!! So Scott came to see it, and was grossed out...so we didn't have sex lol, but that's alright. I'm enjoying this little moment I'm having :) My back is crampy, but it seems more constant, than in any pattern, so I'm not sure what that means, if anything. My sleep could be contributing to it as well, I feel like I have two positions to sleep in, comfy for ten minutes,  and GOD if i could only sleep on my belly!! I wake up sore as all get out and my body hates me! At least my calves are feeling better after all that curb walking. It felt like I had done 8,000 stairs!!

So since Wednesday night, when everything came to a haulting stop, I have decided to stop timing, stop thinking, and start enjoying the last few days I have alone. I'm not saying I'm not anxious for him to be here, but I've totally stopped focusing on it. It's easier emotionally not to get my hopes up every time. I dont like to get depressed when nothing is happening, its not fun for anyone. Wednesday afternoon Scott and I went to a local burger/ice cream place and enjoyed a walk around the mill ponds, and Thursday we went to our local honey farm and bought a gallon of honey. I love the drive out to these places, country roads with the windows down and fresh air blowing in! I have also been working on some sewing projects for Liam.




 I would definitely recommend that when you are getting to that point of being depressed when labor isn't happening, you forget about it. I realize how hard it is, but honestly, it is a heck of a lot easier to distract yourself with fun things, than to be mopey all day long! Besides, you wont miss labor. It will definitely get your attention. Enjoy that last few days of a family of two, three, or whatever. Get out of the house, turn off your phone, dont check facebook. Everyone wants to know how you are feeling, but they dont understand that it is even more difficult when they are in you face, even if they mean well. I hope this helps someone. It sure as hell has helped me cope with the last few days. On my list for today: finish the dishes, vacuum, laundry, make curtain for Liam's bedroom, and take a walk. I'm sure I wont get all of these things done, but it would be an accomplishment to finish half of them. :) Enjoy your day!!

40 Weeks + 3 Days Pregnant

So last night...

I woke up at 3am from a terrible contraction. I tried going back to sleep, but couldnt. I tossed and turned, and sat up on my phone for 2 hours before finally falling back to sleep. I knew I could sit up and wait for the next contraction which would eventually wear myself out, or I could try to go back to sleep and save my energy for real labor. I woke again at 7:30 to my alarm, I had a chiropractor appt at 8:15, so I got up and took a shower. I was still having a few contractions, but they were much more spaced out and mild than the 3am ones. The chiropractor adjusted me, and did my pressure points again. They definitely kicked up my contractions a bit. I got home and made some oatmeal with raisins, chia seeds, hickory nuts, and brown sugar. Strawberries on the side, and a tall glass of milk. :) I called the midwife to reschedule my appointment (it was supposed to be today at 12:30, I was hoping not to ride in a car for 2.5 hours round trip while having contractions) I figured I'd reschedule for friday since they don't take appointments on thursdays. Anyways, after that my doula called me and asked how I was doing. I gave her the low-down, and she thought it sounded like baby's head wasn't lined up all the way to keep labor constant.

So she suggested a "mile-circuit"
This consisted of 30 mins laying knees to chest like this:

 











Then immediately 30 mins on my left side with my right leg elevated to help open the pelvis.


Then 30 minutes of curb walking...(15 mins on one side, 15 on the other). This was the hardest part!



So here I am, fresh off my curb, and sweaty...No contractions yet. But I am still hopeful.

Basically the first position helps move baby out of the pelvic a bit, and then laying on the left helps line him up, and then the curb walking helps bring him back down into proper position.

I'm not sure what the rest of the day holds for me, but I am excited to see.
Nikky

40 Weeks + 2 days Pregnant

So yesterday my contractions really did pick up. I decided I was sick of sitting around so I turned on some old school jams and tried to dance Liam out!! Then I sat on my birthing ball for awhile when I was online. Around 6pm my contractions became more regular. I timed them at 1 min duration with 6 minutes rest. They usually began in my lower back (like period pains) and at times would go to the front in my lower uterus.

Once Scott got home, we went for a 40 min walk, and then made some dinner. Afterwards, I took a nice hot shower, and went to bed. They were pretty consistent throughout the night until 6am when they subsided once again! Sigh! I slept until 8:30, and since then have cleaned and organized a bit more. It feels nice to have the bedroom and bathroom really clean, and ready for my birth team to be here.

I also had text messaged my doula Rachel, last night, and again this morning. She mentioned that usually mommas don't labor during the day unless it's active labor. So I should rest up and be sure I'm eating well today since I will probably need it throughout the night. I have had some contractions today, but they are pretty mild and not building into anything. I can honestly say, I am pretty scared that the evening will come, and nothing will happen. I guess we will see.

40 weeks + 1 day Pregnant

Yesterday was father's day. We had our annual picnic with Scott's mom's side, and then climbed the Marsh Tower...
Yep...I climbed that...144 steps. Not one damn contraction! FML...Later on, I was sewing up some cloth wipes and at 11pm started getting a few contractions. We went to bed shortly after, I felt like something was definitely going on. I tried not to get to excited, and ended up falling asleep around midnight or a bit after. I woke a few times to some contractions, but eventually fell deeper into sleep and by morning, there was nothing again. I had my chiropractor appointment today and she did the labor inducing pressure points again. She predicted from feeling my pressure points that it will be today or tomorrow. God I hope so!! I did get a few contractions from her adjusting me and using the pressure points. And I have continued having very few mild contractions since. I have since done the dishes and plan to finish cleaning up the house. Not sure what the rest of the day holds for us, but I might go buy some castor oil. We'll see.

More soon! :) 

39 weeks + 4 days Pregnant Midwife Update

Midwife update:

Had my 39 week appointment today, here's the stats:

weight up 2 from last week--seriously!?! come on! total for pregnancy 43lbs

Blood Pressure: 124/68

Pulse: 70

Fundal Height: 43cm

Fetal Heart Rate: 130bpm

Fetal Position: LOA

Estimated Fetal Weight: 9lbs!! Holy Schnikies!


I also must mention that Monday, I had a bout of diarrhea and then was crampy all day. I really thought that was it...it was labor time...but alas, no contractions. I still have crampy-ness throughout the day here and there, but its not like it was on Monday. Either way, I know labor is coming. My doula thinks it will be Monday. Something about first time mommas having diarrhea one week from labor. Fingers crossed!!

PS, my last day of work is tomorrow! Hurray!!! 

Pregnancy Weeks 33, 34, 35

I don't even know where to start...I guess first off, see my previous blog for an explanation to where I've been and what's kept me away from Blog land the last few weeks. I guess I'll just jump right in and try my best to remember everything.


How far along: 35 weeks

Weight gain: went the midwife yesterday. Up 4 from last appointment 3 weeks ago. Total for pregnancy 34.

Stretch marks: yes, not scary deep, but definitely all over! Tiger stripes! Roar!

Maternity Clothes: That bra I bought a few weeks ago is AMAZING!!!! It is so friggen comfortable I have contemplated buying another. I will only be able to use it as a sleep/lounge bra, but still, it is reassuring to have something!

Sleep: I just started within the last week getting up twice to pee. I know many women are up far more times, but if I do wake up a lot to attempt to switch sides. My hands fall asleep a lot, and it wakes me up. My chiropractor things its because of my neck. Who knows.

Best moment this week: definitely my baby shower (see previous post) and my doula visiting.

Miss anything? Beer--but I think its mostly because I would have drank a lot these few weeks with all the stress I was under. Lunch meat.

Cravings: Salty things. Chips, fries, snacky things.

Anything make you queasy or sick: Just stress...lol

Gender: Boy

Wedding rings: On, but barely

Belly Button: Still there...

Movements: He is definitely running out of room. His movements are getting more and more painful.

Symptoms: Major edema! Feet, ankles and calves. My pubic pain is all day now, and I just feel sore all the time. Sinus headaches-damn allergies-, numbness in my first three fingers due to my neck issues, tired, stressed, emotional, exhausted, braxton hicks--usually at work when I'm doing too much.

Mood: stressed to say the least. emotional for sure

Looking forward to: my baby boy being here! :)

Midwife update: Liam had a strong heartbeat of 130, he is still head down, his butt was (and usually is) resting on my right side with his legs across my belly. My fundal height was 41cm, so I am still measuring about 6 weeks ahead. Liam is estimated to be 6.5-7lbs!! So I have been advised to watch my carb and refined sugar intake. My blood pressure was 110/70--pretty typical. We did my 3rd trimester lab work--still waiting for results. I have been advised to decrease the number of hours I can work as well. I will be talking to my HR person so figure out if I would still qualify for my insurance. Next appointment is next week wednesday.

So now that my crazy schedules are pretty much done, hopefully I will be able to stay up to date on my blogs.

Hope you all are doing well!!
N.

Pregnancy Weeks 18 & 19

This week marked a very special one. I have been feeling Liam move like crazy!!! :) It also marks the end of the first half of my pregnancy! YAY!! (side note, I'm not sure what happened to my week 18 post, so I'll just combine it with week 19...)

How far along: 19 Weeks

Total weight gain: zero

Stretch marks: old ones are beginning to get red at the ends

Maternity Clothes: yes yes yes!

Sleep: just plain strange!! weird and vivid dreams that make no sense, beginning to get more comfortable on my sides--especially with my sweet pea pillow.

Best moment this week: definitely feeling Liam move!! Also we started our childbirth classes!

Miss anything: lunch meat

Food cravings: pizza and sour candies

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: Boy!! :)

Movements: Absolutely!!!

Wedding rings: On

Symptoms: some headaches, small backaches, out of breath much of the time!

Mood: Great!

Looking forward to: more childbirth classes and my next midwife appointment on tuesday. :)

I will be doing a separate blog about my childbirth classes so stay tuned~! :)

N.

Pregnancy Weeks 13, 14, 15

I'm so sorry its been so long, but the good news is, we finally moved!!! What a crazy few weeks it has been! We moved about two weeks ago, and I have been busy cleaning, organizing, baking christmas cookies, decorating, etc. We still arent finished. (the darn holidays really messed up our organizing schedules...heehee) anyways, Im not sure I will be able to remember all of the details from the last few weeks, but I will surely try.

How far *currently: 15 weeks 6 days

Total weight gain: I havent weighed myself recently but Im sure will all the holiday goodies I gain a few.

Maternity clothes: work pants, and stretchy pj or yoga pants

Sleep: getting restless, I did receive a maternity pillow from my in-laws. It's by Sealy. It's called the Sweet Pea 2 in 1 maternity/nursing pillow. I didnt want the snoogle because it has the head pillow part, and I have many neck issues so this one works pretty well so far! its from Amazon




 Best moment the past few weeks: moving, the holidays with friends and family.

Miss anything? cocktails, coffee

Food cravings: Yellow or honey mustard, and pickles--not together.

Anything make you queasy or sick? not really, just stinky people...

Gender prediction: BOY! We'll find out on wednesday!

Movement: Nothing yet

Wedding ring: On

Symptoms: headaches here and there, I've been fighting a sinus cold, so that could be the reason for the headaches. Other than that, just super duper emotional. My mom bought me a baby bottle started kit, and I cried my eyes out...it just seemed so surreal that I will be using them on my baby!! I found them on amazon.





Mood: Emotional, but good.

Looking forward to: My ultrasound on wednesday jan 2!! I cant wait to find out if my predictions are right!!! I also have a midwife appointment that day as well.

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful New year!!!!
Much love,
Nikky