Flash Backs

So I am starting to have flashbacks of the very challenging first week of Lucas' life. It turns out he didn't just have gas. He does indeed have thrush, but I am getting ahead of myself.

Last night after Curt went to bed Lucas finally slept longer than 30 minutes at a time because I was pumping and he had food in his little belly. I however got some sleep but very little because I was pumping to feed my little squirrel baby. Before I went to my appointment he was pretty much gas free and had pooped twice. Once before I could even get a diaper on him and he "painted" the changing table. I'm so glad I decided to always keep a washable pad on it!

I tried to nurse him again and he was just howling, and then I gave him my finger to suck on and he took it weakly and made the most heartbreaking whimpering. So his mouth was obviously bothering him! I was so scared that I would be back to square one with the nursing giving him all these bottles of breast milk that I tearfully called my beloved mom, the nursing Nazi because I needed her reassurance... which she gave me. (This was a repeat of the when I called her at midnight last night as well).

I called the birth center to see if there was anyway that I could push up my 1:00 PM appointment so they could suggest something for me to do but they were already over-booked. I didn't think twice about taking him there first instead of his Doctor because they have always said to call them with any problems, especially if it has to do with breastfeeding.

Well everything went fine with me. I am actually now 2&1/2 lbs lighter then before I was pregnant. I no longer need to take my iron because my hemoglobin is back to normal (good because I hadn't taken it in weeks, only because it couldn't be taken with anything with Calcium and if you know my sister and me that just isn't possible!) Also my stitches healed great and I got the green light to start back any activities that I haven't done in the last 6 weeks (shhh don't tell Curt). I also got my pap smear and a prescription for birth control.

Then it was time for Lucas to get checked out. I was told that he didn't have thrush, that it was just milk that was on the top of his mouth. The reason for him not nursing was because I was giving him too many bottles and pacifiers (he has had 1 bottle in the last 2 weeks!!) and she just wouldn't listen to me. I don't understand how a kid nursing fine for the last 5 weeks would go... hmmm I had this bottle 2 weeks ago so I'm going to stop nursing now and fake my mom out. I was very upset and fought tears back while I nodded and was told that I shouldn't have feed Lucas last night, to pump to keep my milk up, but don't give it to him, that he would nurse when he got hungry enough. (To be fair this wasn't the person I normally saw, and mostly she deals with pregnant women and babies right after they were born) My motherly intuition was going off like crazy and I went right to my Mom's house.

The minute my mom saw his mouth she could tell it was thrush so I made an appointment for Lucas with his Doctor tomorrow. I hope he gives him something for the pain because I am so sick of this pumping!!! I don't mind pumping every day or so once to store up milk, but all day long is killing me!

Luckily I did have some frozen that I thawed out and feed him because this is one hungry kid! When he drinks from the bottle he is done in 5 minutes with what would usually take him at least 20 minutes so he doesn't feel as satisfied. I'm so glad I have Curt! He would rock Lucas and talk to him while I pumped and kept him from howling! Since I was able to use the frozen breast milk at least I am ahead by one bottle. He won't have to wait for me to pump to eat. His swing is also soothing him and helping him get some sleep!

Also, thanks to Lindsay again I have a way to calm him down. Our rocking chair is right next to the crib so I just flipped the mobile around and I can rock him and he just stares up at his mobile and listens to the music and can drift off to sleep!

I just can't wait for his appointment to be over tomorrow and just be at home with my baby (and my husband when he gets home.) At least tomorrow is Friday!

I'm already forgetting things

Happy Birthday Lisa!

My mom's side of the family has this HUGE email group and I was sending out an email telling Lisa to have a BEARY Happy Birthday (because I know she would enjoy the inside joke) and Curt got home from work. He saw what I was doing and asked how old Lisa is now. (I won't share her age because I don't know if she would care or not... but she isn't old). Anyway so I start to think... Ok Ted is 9 years older then me and I think Lisa is 10... and then I couldn't remember how old I was!

So how did I go from growing up and not being able to wait until I had my next birthday and counting down the days to not even remembering how old I am? Luckily Curt was there to tell me how old I am.

Maybe Curt is right, we should only have one kid, then I will only have to remember one name!

I took a nice long nap after dinner and now I am wide awake. I think I will go to Wal-mart for a while because I really haven't gone in a while. Maybe I will wander around the craft aisle and participate in the cool craft site that Brandi told me about:

A month of Softies

I think it will be fun to do. Besides now that the nursery is done I need a project. (I think all we are still going to do is add trim to the door frame. Really all we need is the baby! Oh I got the cutest hamper today from Target hamper from target

Oh yeah and Curt's mom Andrea has some artwork/prints to hang in the room, and we still need to get an AC for the room... but all the major things are done.

In other renovation news currently Curt's uncle Michael is redoing our dinning room floor. It used to be built up on it's own little Island but he took it down so we could have more floor space. It makes everything look bigger. Pictures of our dining room floor It is still a work in progress and I forgot to take a before picture.

Also over memorial day weekend I think we are having our bathroom redone. Pretty soon I'm not going to recognize where we live! (not complaining at all!)

My Mood : Forgetful
Now Playing : watching ABC's Super Nanny

Curt is Going to Kill Me

So I am about to get very personal here, but HEY it is my journal. I will try to say it with as much tact as possible.

Let's just say Curt is in a much better mood then when I wrote in a previous entry. I would be in an equally good mood if in the middle of umm things my loving husband didn't yell out "watch out for the baby!" Oh well, we have a another story to embarrass our kid with one day.

On the plus side to Curt's good mood he went in and finished the baseboards in the baby's room. I was really impressed.... I didn't know he was so handy around the house. I thought he had to get help. I think it was just his evil plan these last almost 4 years so I wouldn't ask him to do anything. He can do anything... wire a light fixture, cut and install baseboards.... the only thing I don't think he can do is glass work. (this is a joke of course since he does this for a living) but we have had a cracked window for well over a year that I'm still waiting on him to fix. I told him that (that I thought he could fix anything except a broken window and he laughed)

Well tomorrow is AASU's Spring graduation and I am doing to see my friend Shannon and her darling boyfriend Jimmy graduate. I have known Shannon since 4th grade and she is more like a sister then a friend. My parents think of her and her sisters as their daughters as well.

It is funny to think I have graduated and I'm going to see Shannon graduate tomorrow... I can't believe it was almost 5 years ago since we stayed up in my room for hours the night before our first day of college talking about everything like soon our friends would start getting married, having babies... and all that grown up stuff (I never would have guessed I was talking about myself!)

How fast life changes....
My Mood : sleepy Now Playing : nothing really

How Much is That Doggie in the Window

This morning I dropped my little Jadie dog off at Godley Station Animal Hospital and left her there to get spayed and her shots updated. Then I went to Target to add things to our registry like diapers and wipes and went by my parents house where I stayed until 3. I knew I would be lonely if I went home. I never thought I was a dog person until Katie and Curt talked me into getting one... she was supposed to be Curt's dog, but she has really become part of our family. I can't wait to go pick her up tomorrow... but it won't be until 11:00 after my Appointment.

Tonight dinner was pretty good here is the recipe:
Pizza
Preheat oven to 400 Remove Pizza from cardboard and then from plastic wrap Cut in half and place one half in toaster oven Bake for 20 minutes, take out, put in the other pizza half to cook while you eat the first half.

I am excited about my appointment tomorrow. I love going, but I am disappointed that the schedule was wrong. Originally tomorrow was supposed to be a night class so that the husbands and "baby daddy's" could be there, but the schedule is wrong and the night classes don't start for 2 more weeks. I was looking forward to dragging Curt along.

I love the Family Health and Birth Center where I am going and I'm seriously thinking about having the baby there. It is just so much more relaxed and family centered. They don't rush you, everything is to make the birth as natural as possible... and by that I don't mean without drugs, cause you can have them and I plan on getting them. Plus they have the huge water tub there! Family Health and Birth Center

Well the rug came today for the baby's room and it really adds color to the room. The only things left to do in there I think is to finish painting the doors, and put a baseboard behind the bookcase and then paint that. When it is all done I just don't know what to do with myself. Maybe by then it will be warm enough to go swimming everyday.

The Baby Gate Curt just had to install right away Red rug

My Mood : lonely
Now Playing : Some home improvement show on TLC that Curt is watching

I Would Have Been a Great Boy Scout

So I've always enjoyed cooking and lately I've been trying to make a new recipe at least once a week (nothing fancy, trying to find stuff we like so I can make it right before the baby is due so I can freeze it and won't have to worry about cooking when the baby first gets here) Which is also why I have started to pack my bag to take to the hospital/birthing center two months early. I guess my new motto is "always be prepared" ha ha

So this is what I made tonight
Hamburger Casserole
2 cups cooked small egg noodles
1 lb. ground beef
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp garlic powder
2 7oz. can tomato
sauce salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup sour cream
1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350degrees.
Cook noodles according to pkg. directions; drain. Measure 2 cups and spread in bottom of casserole dish. Brown beef in oil over medium heat; breaking into small chunks. Drain fat.
Add onion, garlic, tomato sauce, salt and pepper to meat and blend. Simmer for 15 minutes. Pour over noodles in casserole.
Spread sour cream evenly over meat. Spoon ricotta cheese over top.
Cover completely with mozzarella cheese and bake, uncovered, 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

It turned out pretty good, sort of like a poor man's lasagna.

Tomorrow I am taking Jadie to the vet. She is getting her shots and also going to get fixed. Poor thing. I don't want her to get knocked up though.
Jadie Ready for her Close UP

Tonight Curt installed the baby gate, even though Lucas isn't even here yet and won't be crawling or walking for quite a while. He says it is to keep Jadie out of the room but she doesn't go in there ever. I think he just likes having something to do. It looks strange to see a baby gate though in our house and no baby. Curt also started painting the door to Lucas' room and I had to leave the room while he was doing it because he wasn't doing it the way I Would have, and I knew I would end up yelling at him... more then I already had. Ok I can admit that I have a little bit of a control freak streak in me. I guess it all balances out since Curt won't let me add anything to the dresser or move anything.

Here are some of the latest pictures of the room I've taken.
dresser and rocker
The crib
The bookends I made. I'm so proud of them.


My Mood : thankful
Now Playing : jay leno

no mean emails, sex, or milk

I am proud of myself for not breaking down and sending Curt's grandma a mean email back. I thought about it and realized what would it accomplish? So instead I'm just going to ignore the email. I can't control other people, I can only control myself. So I'm just going to send her emails like normal, of pictures that I send to everyone (like the ones I took of the nursery and of Kaliegh and Steven.. our niece and nephew/her great grandchildren) which will probably make her mad too. Oh well

Curt was really mean to me today, not mean but just grumpy and I think I know what it is (WARNING!!! I AM ABOUT TO SHARE) I think it has to do with the fact that I am in my third trimester and I haven't been feeling very uhhh frisky lately. OH WELL! I give him a goodnight kiss at night, and that works for me... ha ha! I know I am horrible, "but I'm pregnant"... man I love that phrase I use it for everything and it works 99.9% of the time.

Yesterday I had some very nice alone time. I drove to Bluffton and went shopping for 3 hours buying stuff for the baby and things to sell on eBay. Everywhere I went I ran into pregnant women. It's like we are all members of a special club and its great. They smile and ask questions like "how are we supposed to know what wipes to buy?" I think I am going to miss being pregnant.

When I got home I made bookends for Lucas' room and I am so proud of them! Tonight we were able to make the bed because we got the mattress and we also put in a glider rocker. Curt is so funny he has all these little things organized on the dresser and won't let me add anything or change it in anyway. He was very troubled by the fact that there is no pillow in the crib, and I must admit that it looked strange to me as well, but its not supposed to be safe to have things like that in a newborns crib.

Well I am starting to get more random and sleepy and I'm thirsty. We're almost out of milk

My Mood : random
Now Playing : none

My Husband the future Dad (mushy warning)

My husband has NEVER been great with birthdays, Christmas, and anniversary gifts. Oh, and forget Valentine's Day! It is not that he forgets (he always remembers) but he HATES to shop and says he never knows what to buy. When we first got married it used to upset me but then I had Lisa to tell me it can take some guys a while to grow their thoughtful gene! (She should know she lives with 7 males if you count their two cats and their dog).

Anyway, I've always overlooked that flaw because Curt overlooks PLENTY OF MINE! Well last night I pulled out the box of baby clothes that we have so far (half are what I have been buying since the first day I found out I was pregnant... minus the girl's clothes that I sold on eBay, and the other half have been given to me by Lisa, or Curt's sister Angela). Anyway as I was holding up the tiniest cutest little socks that Lisa had given me (baby feet are so tiny and ADORABLE!) Curt asked if he could put them in Lucas' dresser. He got all excited that I said "yes," and here I was thinking that I would have to show him during the commercials of whatever it was we were watching.

So we both go into the nursery and I separate them by size (0-3 months first drawer, 3-6 second drawer, and 6-12 3rd). He gently takes each one and folds it up and places it in the drawers, which by the way we have PLENTY of 0-3 months clothes... we could barely close the drawer! The other two drawers are closer to empty). After everything was folded to his standards (which by the way I've never seen him fold anything in my life now that I think about it!!) he got up and looked around the baby's room, hugged and kissed me and headed off to bed.

Which brings me back to how I started this... Curt may be bad at gifts on other holidays but every since we got married he has always done things for me on Mother's day... even though we didn't have kids! He would bring me home flowers and take me out to nice dinners and say "For the future mother of my children." So I have always overlooked that whole gift giving flaw because I know he'll be a great Dad and that just makes me love him even more.

My Mood : Excited!
Now Playing : silence

Fortune Cookies

Sunday Curt and I went to dinner at Chen's Chinese and this was my fortune "Friends Long Absent are coming back to you."

Boy, did it ever come true! I've been emailing back and forth with my friend Bambi. (yes that is her given birth name, no she isn't a female entertainer) I haven't seen her in at least 6 months. We were in girl scouts together when we were in middle school and have gotten back in touch these last two years.

Then there is Ashlee we met in high school and played Volleyball together and used to be really close but we got tied up in our own lives... me getting married, her married and now with a 1 year old son. She wants me to teach her how to EBay... which I need to post myself! I've been busy with Lucas' room. (which by the way is 90% done... we have furniture in there now!!)

Last but not least is my friend Crystal. We became best friends in 6th grade at Bartlett middle school. Over the years we've always kept in touch and have one of those friendships where we can not talk for months and then we pick right back up. Well, she emailed me telling me to call her and that she is 11 weeks pregnant! I am so excited! I hope that we will get together with our kids and have little play dates! I had just been thinking about how I wish I had someone to be pregnant with! I never would have thought when we were in 6th grade wearing our converse allstars and flannel shirts talking about everything from music to clothes that we would be mommy's around the same time! We talked about all kinds of crazy pregnancy things yesterday on the phone.

So my fortune couldn't have been more dead on! Hmm... maybe I should have played the lottery numbers listed on my fortune.

Yesterday was also my appointment. Everything is fine... I didn't gain a single pound from last month to this month... which is so surprising to me because after the whole painful dental procedure I LOVE cold food A.K.A. ice cream... and I have been eating it every night... with hot fudge.... and I've traded in my snickers for frozen pizzas! Oh and if given the choice between a nice fancy place to eat... take me to somewhere I can get a GOOD cheese Burger and fries!

Oh, and while we were at my appointment we got to see a 4 hour baby that had been born at the birth center... a little boy. He was so tiny! So cute! I can't wait to see what mine will look like!

As of today I am 7 months (28 weeks) and I've gained a total of 9 lbs... So I am quite happy... My mom went to my appointment with me yesterday then took me to lunch. We went to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum (which i didn't know had a place to eat) and it was VERY nice! They have a menu or a hot buffet and salad bar (which is like $6 with a drink!) The dining room is modeled after an English pub and it is open for lunch Monday-Sat 11AM-2PM. I can't wait to take Curt there one Saturday! (too bad he is working this Saturday). That's OK I'm supposed to teach Ashlee the ends and outs of EBay on Saturday... and tomorrow Lisa and I are going to do baby shower invites and get them out in the mail Saturday.

Well I REALLY need to start posting things on eBay. Maybe after a nice bowl of Wal-mart brand ice cream The cheaper the better!

My Mood : Floating on Cloud 9!
Now Playing : the 11:00 news

Hoping that at midnight I don't turn back into Cinderella

At midnight I should know if the check will post to my account. (who knows if it will stay there!) I have been so stressed out by this whole bank situation!!!!

I am so tired, I have been busy all day. I was up until 2 last night and then woke up with Curt at 6:30. Then I ate breakfast, straightened up the house (hardly anything to do because the night before I had cleaned up pretty much everything), then I went grocery shopping. Curt stayed home from work because his back was bothering... I'm not sure if it was or not... I am so horrible I know I don't believe that he is sick unless a Doctor tells me he is... but also every couple months he just gets a little burned out a needs to take a day off from work, but who knows.

Anyway around 2 his mom Andrea came over and we were back working on Lucas' room! We painted the baseboards and window frame, hung curtains, put up blinds, painted a bookshelf and wall shelf, and Curt installed a new overheard light fixture. We did a couple other odds and ends as well. Everything is really coming together! I can't wait until the furniture arrives and I can really see it all together. Curt kept walking in there and hugging me and saying "wow! we really are having a baby!" it does seem a little bit more real now... and surreal also in a way!

Well tomorrow I go back to the dentist, oh what fun! Hopefully this time it won't hurt so much! Well I am going to go watch my man Jay Leno and wait for midnight so I can see if the check posts before falling into bed.

My Mood : a range of emotions
Now Playing : Headlines on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Lost in a Book

What a glorious Sunday it has been. I've been lost in a book all day "Lovely Bones" and now I have to go take a shower to go to my parents house as a belated birthday dinner for my sister.

I haven't really done anything today... just read and washed a load of clothes. I love having a dryer!!!

Oh and I gave Jadie a bath with tear free baby wash. She smells just like my cabbage patch dolls did that I had when I was little. The babies were always scented with baby powder when you smelled their bald little heads. I used to collect them. I would get a new one every year in October when we went to Helen, GA. In a nearby town (Cleveland, GA I think) is this place called "Baby Land General" It is a sort of cabbage patch museum set up like a baby hospital where they stage deliveries of cabbage patch kids out of the cabbage (serious this is a real place) and you can name them and they are one of a kind all cloth and can be adopted and taken home. I always got the ones that came in the cardboard and plastic boxes and were made of plastic, they were cheaper. Jadie smells like that.

While I was reading she was curled up in the crook of my arm and I could smell her sweet little head and wondered if my baby boy would smell that sweet. The wallpaper in his room is completely dry now (I will update the picture soon) and I can't keep from imagining tucking him into bed there, rocking him to sleep, and measuring his growth on the door frame with a pencil. (Like my sister and I did growing up against her door frame.)

My Mood : flirty
Now Playing : "I'm a wild one" playing in some old movie Curt is watching on AMC

Phase II is Complete

Now the nursery is really coming along! Today we put up wallpaper and border. It is a white wallpaper with different splashes of color. The border has motorcycles, cars, dumb trucks, and tractors on it. (I will add the before and after pictures to my photo album on here.) The wallpaper looks like different colors because it hasn't dried all of the way yet. I just couldn't wait until it dried though to share the pictures.... so keep that in mind!

Now we really just have to paint the baseboards and window trim and clean the carpet. There are some other minor things but those are the two biggest. I can't wait to get everything all moved in and see the final thing all together! I am excited.

My Mood : Ecstatic
Now Playing : TV noise