What's in a Day: Peek-ture post

For my own amusement, maybe others'. Maybe I'll look back on this time and reflect on the simplicity of life with one kiddo. I tried to document a typical day.

We went for a walk down the street to the bank. And since the little man is a veteran head-holder-upper now, he got to ride facing forward in the front pack. Loved it. He really hasn't been outside a whole lot seeing as its Winter in Oregon and he's still little, so he was enamored with the road noise and cars. Sadly no picture.

He crashed after that. Actually, on the walk back home. Pure sweetness.

Meanwhile momma set up the week's budget. We are now on the envelope system! We are very excited about it. Compliments my visual/nerdy fiscal personality. Instead of being constrictive about spending (like I had thought it would be, which is why I had avoided it), using the system is actually very freeing and involves much less stressing about buying things.

 

Buddy's naps are usually only 30-40 min. long, and he takes 3 a day usually. For lunch we had (by "we" I mean I was his entertainment as he watched from the swing) french toast using day old Great Harvest bread.

I just received my Grandma's silver, that she got for her wedding. It was baly in need of polish and cleaning.

Here is the end result.

Chris got home somewhat early. Did a whirlwind of some chores while he played with Judah, and then remembered that I wanted to make chai mix, I had been out for a while.

I use this recipe. But when I am making up a cup, I always use three heaping tablespoons of mix instead of two, since my mugs are large. Mmm. Make sure to blend well. I use my cuisinart smart stick. The more fine and powdery it is the smoother the chai. Yes, horrendous amounts of sugar. I have not tried subbing with any sugar alternatives. Another time.

Dinner was leftover vegetable soup and mashed potatoes with cheese and bacon. We help with youth group on Tuesday evenings. As long as he is fed sometime between 6:30 and 8 pm, Judah is in a fantastic mood, never fusses. He loves watching and listening to all the noisy, rowdy jr. highers. Especially game time. We usually hang out up on the stage overlooking the gym for that, and he occasionally gets scared when daddy yells (Chris helps ref the games). The best part about Tuesday nights is that Judah falls asleep on the way home. It always makes it easier when we are coming home from something at the time of his bedtime. No fuss drifting off to sleep! 

Tis the Season

Christmas. Christmas Christmas Christmas! I am so very excited for the season this year, though it would NOT appear so from the outside. I have zero decorations up in the apartment. They are still safely stowed in a rubbermaid since after Christmas last year. And I did suggest to Chris (again) the idea of not doing gifts for one another so as to save some money (shame shame). It's almost like a routine for us now. I plant the idea and he reasons me out of it. I just think it would really be impossible to stop that man from getting me something. BUT even though I lack the energy to winterize our little apartment, I am really looking forward to our first Christmas as a family. We even had a "rush" photo session here, after my sister politely insinuated that I really should do some Christmas cards, and it's not too late to get on the ball with that. Armed with a $20 off code at shutterfly that expired at midnight that evening, we had Chris' parents come over, whipped up a semi-legit looking greeting on our giant chalkboard, seated ourselves on the couch, and smiled for the camera. Got those suckers uploaded and prints ordered by 10 that night. Phew. Results.

Little Judah is quickly outgrowing the "little!" He will be a 3 month old by the end of this year. :) He started smiling on Sunday, December 9th. He is still very much into his tongue exercises, has started cooing and warbling, and loves to lift and wave his head all around.

I really got into the crafting-for-Christmas-gifts this year. All I really need to say is: I discovered chalkboard paint. :) Some last creations are drying on the kitchen table, and we have some more shopping to do tonight, and then I think we are about wrapped up.. catch that..? ;)

Looking forward to next week and having friends over for dinner, a drive through Keizer neighborhood lights, the Jr. High youth group Christmas party with food and elf costumes, seeing The Hobbit with a birthday brother-in-law, and birthdays for my dad and grandma. Merry Christmas from our family to your's!

edit to post blooper:

Birth Story of Judah David

It was Sunday, October 28th, almost a week past my due date, and yes, I was discouraged. Chris suggested we get out of the house that evening, and so we went over to visit at his parent's house. We were watching some tv, and baby was going wild inside. I jokingly asked Crystal if this was what happened the night she went into labor with any of her kids. A little after 9 we headed home. Crystal came out to the car and asked if we wanted to come inside to pray with the family. Many prayers were said that baby girl would come SOON.

11 pm I was sitting up in bed as usual, having painless contractions. Timing them, as usual. What was UNusual was that they were 5-1-1!! Almost on the dot. Finally. Woke Chris up, we both calmly finished packing the hospital bag with some snacks and toiletries. I did my hair and some makeup in the bathroom ;) Left the house at about 1 am. At check in at the hospital, I was a 3. We walked the halls for 45 minutes, and BAM! Contractions became painful. And this was when I found out I would be having back labor. I am still working on an adequate way for me to articulate back labor. Like a jackhammer, set on fire, drilling into your lower back... that's what I've got so far.

After walking I was checked and only at a 3 1/2. The nurse consulted the on-call doctor and came back with a sorrowful face and told me the doctor didn't think I was progressing enough, and that I was going to be sent home. I was devastated. They were going to send me home with something to help me sleep, but I was so nervous about the already horrendous pain with each contraction. I thought I'd pass out for sure ;) We then had to call Chris' mom and retract the statement that we were being admitted. The nurse offered to check me one last time. I was a 4. She consulted with the doctor again, and got the go-ahead to admit me. She started the jacuzzi. I think it was about 3 or 3:30 at this point.

I lasted not even 10 minutes in the tub, I felt confined and couldn't sit still with the contractions. My best bet was the yoga ball and leaning over the hospital bed. I not only was squeezing Chris' hand, but pulling very hard on his thumb/wringing his neck/chest, etc. The jump from a 4 to a 6 took between one and two hours. I asked for the epidural. The nurse said "ok, sure, and the anesthesiologist lives here in town so he'll be here in no time." I thought: he's not here at the hospital now?!?

He was pretty quick to arrive, and he started his spiel. I said yes, and ok  to everything :) He put it in, and asked how I felt. I still had feeling on my left side. They had me lay on that side to let gravity pull it over. Meanwhile, I was concerned that I was still feeling contractions. He told me it generally took about 3 or 4 contractions to fully take effect. Gahhh I thought I was home free.

When it did take full effect it was amazing. I had a perfect epidural. The only side effect was that I was shaking pretty violently for a couple hours. During this time my mother in law and two sister in laws came in and visited. I was doing great, just really annoyed by the shaking. I was at a 9 by about 11 in the morning. My OB came and checked me at about 12:30, and I was complete. I started pushing at 1:05.

Then came three long hours of pushing. The first half hour or so was figuring out how I was supposed to push. I was scared to turn the epidural down - they left it alone - so pushing was tricky. About an hour into it I made the first little bit of progress. Second hour I was frustrated, and getting desperate. I remember asking the nurse for help... thinking I couldn't do this. I developed a fever. Boy oh boy they could not get that delivery room cool enough for my liking. I requested a fan, and had cool wash cloths on my forehead and neck. They made me wear an oxygen mask. I think I asked about every 5 minutes if I could take it off. I'm sure I thought it was completely unnecessary.

Finally, Chris started telling me he could see her head. He got giddy. Waaayy excited. He didn't think he was going to watch but he found he couldn't NOT watch. Pressure got very intense. Many, many more pushes. My doctor was called. He came in about 3 or 4 minutes before the baby crowned. He had me stop pushing to slip off the umbilical cord from the head. Then it went fast, and very painfully. Baby slipped out, noiselessly, and doctor headed toward the warmer. Chris looked at me, wide eyed, and said "Sarah, that is NOT a little girl." I said "what?" and then totally and joyfully accepted it. We had a son! Was tearing up, but Chris and I sat motionless for about 8 minutes, holding hands, as the doctor and two nurses worked on the baby. The hardest part was not hearing anything from the baby, or seeing him move at all. Finally we heard little gurgles, no cries. When they brought him to me I was just overwhelmed that I now had a child, no surprise at the gender at all. Then I really started crying. They asked if we had a name. We actually had settled on a boy's name first: Judah David. The banter between us, the nurses and the doctor on the gender surprise was pretty fun :)

Chris then made some proud papa phone calls to the waiting room. Everyone he told replied with "you're kidding," or "you're lying." So fun!!!

We left the hospital at about 7:30  Halloween night. With an apgar score of 2, then 8 and 9, Judah had to be on antibiotics for a bit. Recovery for mom has been pretty great, and Judah has gained a pound since hospital discharge two weeks ago.

Judah David
Born: October 29th, 4:24 pm.
7 lbs. 10 oz, 20 in. long

Final Nesting

38 weeks today. For me, that means hardcore nesting.

I was blessed by my church family yesterday with a baby shower - and I really got all the last items I needed. Crib sheets, onesies bigger than 6 months, lotsa lotsa diapers and wipes.

After I got home from the shower, it had been agreed that Chris and I would have a major house cleaning, which would help me feel a TON better about bringing a baby home in a couple weeks. And so I was pleasantly surprised to be welcomed home to an apartment almost all the way cleaned, by a very proud husband. :) Turns out my brother (brother of the year award) was in our area for a little bit in the afternoon, came by to hang out with Chris and have lunch, and started cleaning up my mess of a kitchen when he was done. This combined with the fact that Chris was already planning his preemptive cleaning of the living room, bedroom and bathroom. They did a great job!

So instead of a really boring date night, we got to spend the evening going through baby gifts, watching The Lorax and having leftover Chinese and junk food.

So today finds me setting up baby girl's bassinet, exchanging a few gifts, writing some thank you's, and erranding.

As per my blogging schedule, next post might be introduction of our little girl!

8 weeks to go

I'm feeling really pregnant. And here is what that really, honestly looks like in daily life right now.

I'm having the husband take off one of our two mattresses. It's just getting to be too much of a task to hike myself up into bed. Especially when the energy level is low and naps are becoming more frequent.

I'm short of breath.. a lot. The central concern I have right now with labor is getting enough oxygen during the ordeal. A first-timer concern, for sure. That's just the thought that consumes me...not being able to catch my breath. Being currently congested may play into this one ;)

Getting spooked when someone tosses me something, or when objects come into proximity of my face or upper body. Wayyy too flighty.

I really don't mean these as complaints, just descriptions of the reality that I didn't fully know went hand in hand with pregnancy, and the third trimester in particular. I am really overall pleased with how mobile I still am; still oriented towards outings and commitments with friends and family. Hoping it lasts all the way through!

Timeline progression!

9 weeks

15 weeks

26 weeks

28 weeks

 32 weeks

just because

Chris' treat from Costco for me. It almost partly compensates for being 7 month's pregnant in August. :)

The Project Front

Easy "fashion statement" jewelry that I am capable of making! Underneath the embroidery floss is just craft wire.. it's kind of fun twisting the wire to form words. The wire loops at both ends so you can fasten a necklace chain onto it, like so.

Wall art! Amazing what canvas, a little scrapbook paper and some ink can do.

In California, my sister unloaded her newborn headbands into my baby stash.. came up with this place to hang them, using an old picture frame and some twine across the back.

And speaking of baby projects - a big one has been baby's corner in our room. Here's where I'm at right now. I'm a little stuck.. can't decide if I want to leave it as is, or add anything else. Don't want a whole bunch of clutter on the walls but I feel the area could use something with texture.