Both kids are asleep :)

Sounds so funny to say that…

What’s even better is that I got up from a nap myself. Brad took Elijah out for a bit, while Athena and I “watched” food network in bed.

So far so good. She is awesome compared to Elijah’s newborn habits. Up until last night she was cluster feeding a lot at night, and sleeping during the day. Now it seems she’s evened out to about nursing every 3-4 hours. And she is a pro. The nurses and lactation consultants at the hospital commented her skills :)

It has been wild around here though. The day she was born Elijah had come down with a fever and has had one consistently up until yesterday. That’s 5 days. It was torture on me even though I wasn’t there. – Because that was just it, I wasn’t there. The only time I had to ever be away from him he is sick…the worst part was hearing him through the phone call my name.

So, it’s been a bummer trying to keep the two away, even though Elijah isn’t too interested. I’m pretty confident Athena will stay well. She hasn’t shown any signs of anything but sleeping, eating and pooping. – Literally, this girl sleeps like I used too.

The timing of her birth was great. We came home on a Thursday, Brad had to work that next day but my mom and sister were here with us Friday. I’ve had Brad here the weekend….but, dum dum duuumm…..I’m nervous about being alone with both of them tomorrow. I hope I can juggle and manage both of their needs, because I don’t do well with crying babies. Never have…and hope I never will. –yea right….

It’s good that I am probably the luckiest postpartum woman in area. I’m not really sore down there at all, and my bleeding has minimized to using the thin pads. I’m probably most sore in my shoulders and back from pushing!

Anyway, it’s time to feed Athena, and I’m gonna take advantage of Elijah’s naptime to do so. Just thought I’d pop in for a quick update. I still have to do those school assignments, so who knows when blogging will reach my priority list.

But here are some pics….

I think he will love her :)

Look at that big ‘ol dimple!

I love my babies!!

Isn’t she sweet!!

This is my favorite pic so far….I don’t think she will want to be swaddled for 6 months like her brother. Those are some big feet Athena!

Athena is here!

 

Wow...I have been meaning to update the blog BEFORE she got here, but it is true when they say the second labor is faster (did anyone ever tell me that it's harder though??)!

For starters, I knew something was up when I lost my mucus plug at 4:11am on the 29th. Contractions were sporadic throughout the day (which was Emma's and Natalie's birthday!). So I tried to get my mind off of things and did some running around at Target to get some last minute things.

Becky spent the morning with me because I was a little nervous about how'd I feel while having Elijah running like a mad man and me contracting. We did okay, after we came home from Target, Elijah took a great nap while I tried to scramble and get Athena's room halfway organized - hung up curtains, clothes, placed teddy bears, etc. I could tell that my activeness was only encouraging contractions. I settled down and wrapped Emma's birthday present (she's 5) because we were headed to Becky's house that evening for pizza and ice cream cake. Brad met us there and we had a nice time. Emma loved her veterinary Barbie we got her :)

We got home around 7 and started getting Elijah ready for bed and after struggling with that (he's been stubborn and trying to move his 8pm bed time to 9pm for some reason...) I started finishing up what I could for Athena's room. At this point - I guess 9:30 or so I could tell it was time to try and take it easy. Contractions were really getting strong, but still pretty sporadic (but that's how it was with Elijah too). I think by 11pm Brad and I decided to start timing them with an app he downloaded on his iphone. About midnight they were pretty regular at 5 minutes apart and about one minute in duration. I'll tell you though, they were really painful - and to my dismay, the exercise ball didn't help like it helped with Elijah. About 12:30 I was really debating on going to the hospital, but I didn't want to be that mom who goes for only a 'false alarm'. Especially for a second pregnancy!

By 1:00 we decided to go. The contractions were so painful, I was SO tired (having no sleep mind you) I was ready to get some kind of progress report. Luckily my dad was able to stay with Elijah and Brad and I had a de-ja-vu moment driving in the little kompressor to MOBAP. Contractions were 5 minutes apart still, and the worst yet in the car. good grief people....I'm telling you they were bad. Even thinking about it I can feel my uterus contracting right now.

We checked in around 1:45ish into triage room 3 and had to get asked one million questions. I was disappointed to find out that I was only dilated to a 4-5 when we got there. Well, I should say, happy that it wasn't 'false labor', but disappointed I was such a 'weeny' that I couldn't handle the pain as well as I did with Elijah (because I arrived at the hospital at 6-7 cm with him).

Either way, I was an emotional wreck. I had problems relaxing. The ball didn't help me labor I was feeling SO defeated that I wanted some pain relief. Thanks to Brad, he encouraged me, supported me and had faith in me. He was able to steer me clear of those thoughts because he knew I could do it.

We were admitted into labor room 1 and the 'fun' started :)

Brad called everyone to let them know that this was it. Athena was going to make her debut!

My mom, Becky, Stephanie and Christie (Brad's mom) all arrived and it was awesome. It was so comforting and felt great having them there. Athena's arrival wouldn't not have been as successful as it was if any of them were missing.

The contractions were not really regular to me, but to be honest, they were so painful (especially in my back) I'm having a hard time even remembering their frequency. I do remember the duration and intensity getting stronger though! It took me a while to find my comfortable laboring spot, and it wasn't that ball!

Yep, a scalding HOT shower worked for me. It was the only relief. Everyone pretty much rotated holding the shower nozzle over my back while I contracted. I knew a lot of it was the dreaded back labor you've heard about. I would not wish that on any laboring woman. Lucky for me though, I was in the shower and felt Athena rotate down. I mean it was a weird feeling. Really weird and scary but it felt right. Thank goodness she did because I don't know how much of that back pain I could have handled.

By 4 am I was at 8 cm. I labored a little bit more in the shower and by 5 am I was pretty much ready to go! Dr. Chen was already at the hospital because of another birth so he examined me at 5:00 and helped me push past a little bit of cervix I had left (same happened with Elijah). After that he broke my bag of water and I really started to feel the pressure!

---I'm gonna be honest, I was pretty nervous about pushing because for some reason I went to Taco Bell for lunch and ate a bean burrito. Yea, I know...no one reminded me to think about what I may poop on her :)

Taco Bell quickly left my thoughts as soon as I felt that urge to push. Wow, I never got that strong feeling with Elijah. Maybe that's why it took me 45 minutes to push him out and only 3 pushes (about 4 minutes) with Athena! Woo hoo!

It was cool that Brad got to deliver her. It's funny that he was nervous about pulling her out and I had to scream 'just get her out!' -- it's not pleasant having a human hanging out of your bits - okay?  :)

After all that I managed to not tear or require an episiotomy! Lucky for me!

She was born at 5:17am, weighed 7 pounds 11 oz, and was 19.25 inches long (her head measuring 13.5). She had a full head of dark, dark hair and scored 9 and 9 on her Apgars. You won't believe it until you see her. She really is perfect. She has Brad's ears and fingers. She has my toes and crooked, right nostril. Beautiful eyelashes and probably my most favorite of all, is the biggest, sweetest dimples from her daddy. Oh my goodness people, she is SO sweet. She is my "dimply doo" - you know I've gotta nick name her :)

I'm sitting in the hospital room just looking at this perfect baby. I wish my heart was 100% elated but it's not because my first baby is home with virus (with fever). It literally breaks my heart to not be there with him, especially when I can hear him when I talk to Brad saying 'mamma, mamma'.

We're going to have to keep the new siblings separated for a bit. We're going home tomorrow, so maybe you could say a prayer that Elijah recovers quickly so we can truly enjoy being a new family of 4.

My heart is so full of love and thanks. I am so grateful for the blessings in my life. I can't even begin to describe!

Everything is so close!

1. The inspector for the basement is coming Wednesday.
2. Ron came back today for trimming around the columns, and will finish up tomorrow.
3. I feel SO much pressure down there I can hardly stand for more than a few hours
4. Elijah’s canine tooth that has been bugging him is ALMOST through (tooth #14!)
5. Baby furniture is ALMOST done.
6. Baby clothes are ALMOST organized

I had to get those few things off my chest.  I’m feeling so anxious right now, because my desktop baby ticker gadget says 9 days left. I predict she’ll arrive on December 2nd – I don’t know why, it just sticks out in my head.

yikes!!! It’s almost happening! I’ve got some good news though…

…her name is pretty official now. Since our first Christmas Brad and I have pick out ornaments for each other and personalize them. Here they are for this year:

 

We’ve also had the same blue and silver theme – one day it’ll change, but money is being spent on better things for now. Anyway, see her name? Yep, Athena it is. I love it. It is unique, strong and holds special meaning to me in more ways than one. Finally, my baby has a name :)

So yea…I’ve already decorated for Christmas. I am a freakish-holiday lover like that. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS for Target and shatter-proof ornaments. How would you tell your 16 month old  “ No, those are not balls that I normally let you throw, those are Christmas ornaments.”

Exactly. You don’t….I’m just glad they don’t break. It was kind of funny tonight to find one randomly in the bathtub….

He is such a goof. I need to get the video camera out again. He will look us dead in the eyes and ‘talk’ to us. “Abu daad doo abu daibi” It’s so cute. He knows exactly what he is saying, even pointing to things while speaking, but it’s so foreign to us. Still, the cutest thing is him screaming “Daddy!” in perfect English. I love it!

We went to eat with Brad’s family over the weekend and it was SO much fun watching the boys play.

The balloon was obviously a huge hit with Elijah. “brrm, brrm, brrm” (He always tries to find a balloon in every book we own).

All the boys. They were so cute together!!Elijah wanted Logan’s car … I now have one in the diaper bag at all times! 

In other news I am so close to finishing up my school responsibilities, but since I am on Fall break I am having a hard time staying motivated. I have an ecology paper to write, a philosophy paper to write, and an eventual philosophy final to take (probably after she is born). So really just two things I have to do for now….focus, focus….

So we’ve kicked butt in the basement. I worked most of Sunday trying to finish it up – basically painting the door, trim and touch up work. Oh! and installing a door knob. I was nervous about that, but not as hard as I thought.  (For those that wonder, Brad has no patience for such things. So we agree it’s best if I do the ‘assembling’ in the house – which I happen to love for some reason). Brad and his dad were connecting some wiring stuff and hung up the tv. Here is our progress up until last night.

Brad and I did assemble our fireplace media center together! I love the ‘fire’! 

…See all of the beautiful, white trim work? …Sense all of my pride oozing for a job well done (at 38.5 weeks pregnant at that!)??

yea…so this picture isn’t really any different than before. I am just really proud of that door knob :)

I’ll get more pics tomorrow after Ron has finished. We still have a door to hang and some trim to place – Brad is going to ask Ron to do it, quite frankly I hope he accepts. The money will be worth the hassle to me. So if that goes as planned, we will just have to paint the door (for the storage room), the trim and install the door knob. WOOT WOOOOOOT!

I am sensing a nursery coming together with days maybe even hours to spare….Hang in there Athena (preferably after Black Friday)  :)

Here’s our ‘little boy’!

BEFORE

He did not like the hair cut one bit, the clippers intimidated him! (geez…I should have probably stayed and had something done to my hair too…)

and AFTER:

He looks SO much better now though!

and happier :)

Not only did he get a haircut, but he graduated a shoe size. I had to retire my favorite little size 4’s he wears to clumsier looking size 5’s.

I have to tell you, he is talking up a storm now. We are trying to teach him the word ‘help’ so he doesn’t point and grunt for when he wants something. It’s worked….sort of…his word for help is perfectly spoken as ‘down’. LOL….he asks ‘down’ for everything. Even when he wants up!

I haven’t heard him expand his vocabulary too much since I posted his list of words. But his comprehension has expanded a lot! We have his ridiculous fascination with books to thank. He points to everything in the book, “Dat, Dat?” – asking what’s that. We seriously have to ‘read’ him 10 books at least twice a day. It’s great, especially when he pats your leg to let you know he has to sit there when you read to him. And to think I was afraid he wouldn’t like books…Actually it’s the opposite. There isn’t a show that is on tv (that Emma watches at least) that interests him in the slightest bit. Can’t say I’m sad about that.

So, are you ready for Ms. Piggly-Nose? Here she is (as of last Tuesday the 9th…actually, exactly one week ago).

Take a look at those lips too! I asked if that was her tongue sticking out, but nope, just her lips! – Who knows where she got those from! I know she is 1,000,000 times cuter than what we see here, but can you fault me for saying that I still think she looks sweet? Black, puffy eye and all?  :)

oh, and she is indeed still a girl

lastly, here is her little foot that I will probably remember most about my third trimester. At the moment this ‘picture’ was taken, she was jabbing this little foot into the right side of my tummy.  Like she always does to make me jump and squirm. Does it look like her right foot to you?

I am getting excited to see her! I’m just really hoping she waits until after Black Friday. Or at least until after this weekend. We’re planning to go to Chicago on Saturday to do some Ikea shopping – crazy idea…probably, but I don’t want to be left out :) besides, I’ll see Dr. Chen this Friday and make a more educated decision then.

Not only do I want to go to Ikea, but we plan to eat at Texas De Brazil while we’re there….that is the B E S T place EVER!! mmmm…sooo hungry right now. Anyway. I have an ecology test tomorrow that I am totally not prepared for, but I am so burnt out with ecology I only made it two hours at the library tonight. Wish me luck, I will probably need it.

Before I go to bed, here is my 38 week survey

• How far along? 37 weeks 6 days
• Total weight gain/loss: –.5 (yes, I am a super freak and step on the scale multiple times a day.
• Maternity clothes? nope, Brad’s shirts and those Old Navy fleece pants
• Stretch marks? no, just that deep blue vein that keeps protruding father and father….funny, it’s right where her little foot jabs me!!
• Sleep: not so well, my body pillow is too misshapen being so old and the tempurpedic mattress is too soft to support my belly and back.
• Best moment this week: realizing that when I have her home I will feel and be much more able than I realized, because I won’t be pregnant anymore! I don’t know why I didn’t figure that out before….
• Movement: that little foot, and her booty rolling from time to time up by my top ribs
• Food cravings: orange Gatorade…how crazy?? So unnatural, but so irresistible! Maybe I need more electrolytes or something??
• Gender: girl
• Labor Signs: no, but I started to feel dull period-like cramps this week
• Belly Button in or out? the top part sticks out a little
• What I miss: being able to hug Brad…I mean a good squeezy hug; tummy to tummy. It’s awkward and uncomfortable at my size.
• What I am looking forward to: a cold beer with some of Mary’s super yummy hot wings. She makes the best kind
• Weekly Wisdom: Pregnancy is beautiful. Even when I get dumbfounded stares from strangers about how bizarre I must look (I am mostly speaking of 18 year old freshmen at school) – I should never let it question my self-confidence in my pregnant body
• Milestones: She has been practice breathing for more than a week now, so that means she’ll be ready, when she’s ready!

Have you been wondering what’s going on?

Firstly, no baby yet! Sorry if I scared anyone with my distance/silence. I’ve just been busy….probably busier now than ever in my life!

I have been working my tail off in school. What is due at the end of the semester, around the second week of December for normal students, is due around Thanksgiving for me. 2 weeks. Yikes! The worst is over I think, last week was so intense. On top of that, we are getting near the end of the basement and I am not the kind of girl that sits around to watch things happen. So you gotta see what’s happened from Friday (12th) until tonight (14)…as I look at my blue and red splattered hands. I need a good manicure and pampering day…

It was SOO dusty from all the drywall dust, as you can tell from the photo (11/7) 

The start of the floors. Thanks to Tim, Jeff and Dan we got them done in less than a week!

We then got to start painting (no milk paint this time, but no VOC at least). Becky and I kicked butt and got just about everything done in one day!…and if someone tells me for the 500th time I shouldn’t be on a ladder, I might lose it. Tell me what pregnant women do in countries that have ten times the work load we do here?---Anyway, gimme a break. Pregnant does NOT equal disabled.

So here we stand tonight…the floors are finished, painting is 99% finished, most of the baseboards are put in…basically a lot has been done. The only thing that is left is to get the columns in, which I think will be this week. Paint baseboards, put in a few switches, bar lights, and one last door. The end is so close….I think I may see a nursery getting done next weekend. Cross your fingers for me!!

the tv area, looking into the future bar. Which will be set up by Christmas. Brad’s parent’s GENEROUSLY gifted us the cabinetry and bar set up. It will be awesome! Can’t forget my dad either (not just for taking out the trash, but taking out his checkbook more often than we anticipated!) – We certainly have some great parents.

The “office”. You like our blue accent wall? Pretty blue isn’t it?

tv area.

the huge hallway.

So there you have it. With school, basement, family and pregnancy life is too crazy.

So let me get onto more exciting things….

I went to Dr. Chen last Tuesday and got the final ultrasound! She is estimating 6 pounds 8 oz and is perfectly healthy. I need to take a pic of the ultrasound because you can see her so clearly…almost too clear because I’m worried she has a “piggly” nose. The ultrasound tech assures me that it’s just smooshed against my uterus because she has no more room. I believe it, but I sure hope she will have a sweet nose.

I am not dialated at all. I haven’t felt any contractions, so I think she is okay having a smooshy nose in there for now.

I have the hosptial bags packed, her co-sleeper ready in our room, diapers, wipes, clothes…what else? I need to get the car seat in the car…OH! I brought up the bouncy seat, but that's going to be useless I can already tell because Elijah has made his claim. That is HIS bouncy recliner. I get the feeling teaching your kids to share is a hard lesson to teach. We’ll see.

I am also having some anxiety about being in the hospital away from Elijah. It’s the first time I will be away for the night and I don’t like it. He is going to miss me!!! I am going to miss him worse I think….who knows what I’ll be feeling at that time with the new baby and all. However right now it makes me terribly sad to think about be away from him for a few nights. He is so stinking sweet. This morning Brad and I both woke up to the baby monitor saying “Daddy… Daddy!”….so Brad went to get him, and as I was laying in bed, Elijah barged through the door; “Mamma, Mamma!”

Having a family is just the best thing ever. I never in a million years thought I would be the person I am with the blessings I have. Now we have another blessing to expect in oh…just about 17 days.   :)

That’s it for now. I have a couple projects for school, but nothing like last week, so I’ll make sure to update sooner next time. Actually…probably tomorrow because Elijah will be 16 months old, and it is definitely time for his first hair cut. I refuse for my child to have a curly rat tail…so that’s getting chopped first thing in the morning. but, if anyone could pull it off, he could…. Goodnight all.

Some of my favorite photos from the last few weeks…

Our little dragon – he was so NOT interested in trick or treating. He just wanted to climb peoples porches :)

Papou and Santa Evan at Boo at the Zoo!! LOL!

Of course it’s too cold now to open windows, but we are going to have to re-evaluate what “baby-proofing” means at our house. How scary is that!? there is a flimsy screen there, by the way…

I wish I could get him smiling like that all the time. What a sweet face!

Look at handsome Tristan! He is so sweet and squeezable. Good job Mary and Jeff :)

I love the way Brad is gently holding him. Brings back nice memories of my little guy.

Now if only Allison was on my left shoulder (and Elijah wasn’t fussing – he doesn’t like sharing his books) it would be the best pic of all time!  I love all of my chill-rens :)

Is there a better word than ‘busy’

for when you are busier than busy??

I really don’t even have time to tell you my latest news since October 21st! Wow…I’ll try to fill in later about Elijah’s 15 month appt (great by the way), my doctor appts, basement news, etc.

For now I just want to put on record how uncomfortable I am, and how FREAKED out I am that I will have a baby in less than a month. I’m not ready. Between school, home and family time I’M NOT READY! – yet, I can’t wait to see her sweet little face--

• How far along? 36 weeks
• Total weight gain/loss: +2 – 3 (really it depends when I can poop or not – just sayin’)
• Maternity clothes? ha-HA! Nope because I found SUPER comfy clothes at Old Navy on a great sale. Fleece pants for $8!
• Stretch marks?  remarkably, no
• Sleep: I wish, but I wake up SO thirsty all the time, then of course I wake up an hour later having to pee
• Best moment this week: finding out that the little body part she keeps jabbing me with is her knee.
• Movement: aside from the knee jabs, the occasional feeling like she’s wiggling her fingers way down there…Food cravings:hot chocolate…haven’t been too hungry these days
• Gender: girl
• Labor Signs: either BH or mild contractions on Halloween….probably all of the walking
• Belly Button in or out? halfway out – that part that used to be pierced anyway
• What I miss: I’m trying not to ‘miss’ anything because I want to enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy. We are seriously considering this the last baby, so I’ll have plenty of time to enjoy being un-pregnant
• .What I am looking forward to: to many things to list…read the rest of my blog, you’ll figure it out. Mostly, I am anticipating the ultrasound next Tuesday!
• Weekly Wisdom: Even superwoman needs a break sometimes, so don’t ignore the ones that love you and try to help you (even if you know you can do it all, doesn’t mean you have to)
• Milestones: entering the last month of pregnancy. bitter sweet at this moment for me.

I can’t wait to see her, I just wish everything was crossed off of my TO-DO list. But even I know it’s not practical that the screen door has to be fixed prior to her arrival…it would just be nice :)

I’ve got some fun pictures to share as soon as I can. I’ve been so busy with school (seriously, staying until 11 pm most nights). I don’t see a break in sight until the middle of November…but I promise to show you some pictures of my little dragon from Halloween very soon!