All the Sun For You

A mom, two boys, a husband, and a whole lot of adventure!


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My Sunburn

It’s been a long time since I’ve talked about my pregnancy.  I keep photos and stats on this page,  My pregnancy with Matthew was so easy, relatively speaking, and this one has been too.

I can’t believe that I’ll officially be 35 weeks tomorrow, and that I’m delivering in 4.5 weeks.  We went for the hospital tour the other night at the new hospital and saw the nurse who helped us deliver Matthew.  We LOVED nurse Laurel, and after she left the day Matthew was born, we figured we wouldn’t see her again since we’d be delivering at the new hospital next time.  We locked eyes with her and she knew immediately who we were, and that was super fun!  We reminisced about the delivery, and her helping us nurse, and then told her when we would be there this time around.  She’s going to try to be on that morning to be our nurse again!  I know that it may not work out, but it would be so awesome if it did!

The new hospital is a complete 180 from the hospital where we delivered Matthew.  The hospital downtown is – well – a hospital!  It’s been there forever and it’s there for the simple reason of taking care of people.  The hospital out west isn’t intended for severe cases, etc. and is much more comfortable and leisurely.  The rooms are HUGE, there is tons of space for Matthew to run around and play, and the entire setup is more like a hotel than a hospital.  I’m actually looking forward to being there next month for 3 nights  🙂

So all is going well with this pregnancy.  Bryson (that is still his name, despite discussions the other night about maybe changing it) is measuring 2 weeks ahead when it comes to femur length and head circumference.  People say that that means nothing, but I don’t believe that for a minute because Matthew was the same way and was born with a 16 inch head!  The ultrasound tech was very precise, measured several times, and says this baby is looking to be a bit bigger than Matthew was (8 pounds 9 ounces).  She’s a super natural, crunchy kind of gal and she told me that I’m lucky I’m having a c-section again, because this baby’s head is “huge.”  She is estimating his weight at delivery (39w3d) to be about 8 pounds 14 ounces to 9 pounds.

I am not one to complain about pregnancy, but a few of you have asked me how this pregnancy is going.  I know that pregnancy comes with its own set of challenges and even though it’s wonderful, there are certain things that can suck about it.  I fully expected (and hoped for) morning sickness, sore hips, and stiff back, heartburn, round ligament pain, etc.  I have never had morning sickness, for which I am very grateful, but I have fierce heartburn way early on (started at 2 months with Matthew and was debilitating through the end).  This time around has been kinder to me with the heartburn, but hauling Matthew around (28.5 pounds) does cause sorer hips and a stiffer back earlier in the day than last time.  I didn’t have round ligament pain with Matthew but have had 3 bouts of it so far with this pregnancy and the third time had me in tears, unable to breathe, for an hour (Dr. H says it gets worse with each pregnancy).  At the end of each day, I’m pretty much done.  It’s been better lately, but there were a few weeks between Florida and now that I just needed to sit on the sofa after Matthew was in bed.  Don’t get me wrong, I still sit on the sofa after he’s in bed, but it’s out of desire and not necessity/survival!

I have a very strange condition that apparently only happens to 5% of pregnant women.  I had it with Matthew and I have it with Bryson.  My cousin, interestingly enough, had the same thing with her pregnancy when we were pregnant together last time (due 1 week apart).  We both asked our docs about it and they seemed perplexed, but then I had an appointment with Dr. H and he said, “oh yeah, that happens to about 5% of women for no reason at all.  The only cure or treatment for it is to deliver the baby.”    The condition is hard to describe, and the best way of describing it is to say it’s like having a severe sunburn in just one spot – and it’s chronic.  My cousin and I both had it under our right breast, and it’s about 5 inches wide and 3 inches tall.  It hurts – ALL THE TIME.  Everyone (including me) speculated last time that it was from Matthew’s head being in my ribs (he was frank breech) but Bryson is head-down and I have it worse this time.  In fact, it covers the exact same area as last time, but there is very rarely a baby or any movement there at all, and it hurts worse this time around.  When there is movement there – it hurts like a SOB and it’s unbearable.  It’s just awful.  Imagine having the worst sunburn of your life in just one spot, for 5 months without end, with multiple flares during the day – and that’s what it’s like.  There is no relief from it (we tried aloe vera in addition to many other things – and nothing helps).

Besides that, I’m doing just great!  Bryson has more room to stretch, we believe, because he’s very active.  Matthew ended up having a short cord (9 inches) which explained why he never turned/flipped (even early on) and only rolled side to side.  When he was delivered, Dr. H announced to the surgical team that, “we have a VERY short cord here” and later said that Matthew didn’t have much to work with in there.  We assume Bryson does.  He is ALL over the place.  He is strong and his kicks hurt a lot, but it’s fun to feel and see big movements from him!

Sure, my back hurts a lot, my hips are sore in the morning, the heartburn isn’t relieved from medication, and I’ve had round ligament pain that has left me in tears – but I think that’s normal stuff and I don’t really complain.  Heck, I was able to play basketball out back on our court with Matthew last night and fully hoist him into the air to dunk the ball.  I would say I’m doing just fine!

I’ve gained more than I’ve wanted (30 pounds!) and have struggled with that.  I only gained 18 pounds with Matthew, so this is really different for me.  YES, I started out 25 pounds heavier when I got pregnant with Matthew, but the number still bothers me.  Interestingly enough, I am measuring small again and the docs don’t know where the weight has gone and are not concerned (it’s all in my butt).  We know that the baby is HUGE but still – 30 pounds?  I am still wearing all the same clothes I got when I first bought maternity jeans, so I’m not expanding more than one would expect with a 30 pound gain.  Who knows!  I thought I was going to get my first, “you look like you’re about to pop” comment yesterday when I responded that I’m 35 weeks to the cashier at Bab.y G.ap.  She said, “whoa!” and I braced myself for what was about to come.  But instead, she said that I’m small and that she thought I was having a July or August baby.  I wanted to hug her!  Of course, I told her that I appreciated the comment and then went on to tell her that I’ve gained 30 pounds and am just not sure why.

My breasts have not grown at all (which also adds to the confusion of where those 30 pounds are and WHY they happened) – I mean – they have not grown at ALL.  They got HUGE early on when I was pregnant with Matthew and I needed new bras in the first trimester.  This time around, I can’t fill those bras up and they are way too big.  I know this has nothing to do with how successful I’ll be at breastfeeding this baby, but I will admit that I’m a little nervous about that anyway.

My feet have not swollen at all like last time.  I think it may be because I’m so active during the day being a SAHM this time around – and because I put my feet up during Matthew’s nap time.  I am just thrilled about this!  I know it could change tomorrow, but for now, I’m thrilled!

Am I glowing?  No.  Am I the most pleasant pregnant gal on the planet?  No.  Do I constantly marvel at what’s growing inside me?  No.  But I am doing really well and when I have time to think about what’s going on in my uterus, I smile from ear to ear!

Even the big kicks to “my sunburn” make me smile!

 


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Out of Control

This room of Matthew’s has gotten out of control.  I mean – 100% out of control.  What started out as a simple plan is now quite elaborate and there’s more work to do each and every day.  I’m supposed to be winding down, but I’m not.  We’re not.  We both have added things to the list of things to do.

B wants the room to be “cool and fun” for Matthew.  I agree.  I think children’s rooms are supposed to be their safe places, their happy places.  I want Matthew to like spending time in there, and that leads me down this path of infinite possibilities.  And B too.

For instance, I put the framed print from my sister up on the shelf in his room and asked B what he thought.  He said that it’s not the right place and that he’d like to put pine trees up there.  BRILLIANT IDEA!  So now we need to get fake (or real) pine trees for that space.  NOT IN THE PLAN.

Another example.  B bought me a polar.oid printer (for Mother’s Day) to create small prints from the photos on my phone, and then said that it would be nice for Matthew to have a pin or magnet board in his room to put them on.  I loved that idea, so I spent tons of time on Etsy trying to find the perfect thing.  I didn’t find it – which led me to PBK (which you all know that I have a love/hate relationship with PBK).  I found what I thought was perfect, took B there last night to show him, he liked the idea, so I bought them.  NOT IN THE PLAN.  Upon coming home and putting them where I wanted them, B says, “that’s not what I had in mind, I want him to be able to reach it.  I’ll find him a magnetic easel but keep these.”  An easel is NOT IN THE PLAN.

Then there are all the animals on the walls of Matthew’s old room that he loves – and B said that he thinks we should find different ones for his new room.  Again, I LOVE the idea and have found lots of options, but they’re NOT IN THE PLAN.

It’s not just B.  I mentioned getting Matthew some Curious George sheets from PBK because he loves CG.  We both know that this does NOT go with the outdoor theme, but we don’t really care.  B thought it was a great idea so now we’re considering it.  NOT IN THE PLAN.  I got a bedside book shelf that we both think is perfect, but it was NOT IN THE PLAN.  Oh – and along with those fun magnetic boards comes a need for fun, cool magnets.  I’ve been busy on Etsy.  Again, NOT IN THE PLAN.

What I find so strange is that prior to being a stay at home mom, I was a project manager.  I was a good one.  I was excellent at managing scope and budgets, and kicking things out because they were NOT IN THE PLAN.  But when it comes to my own projects, the sky is the limit and I sort of don’t care.  It’s become a real problem.  The same thing happened with our nursery – and that room doesn’t hold a candle to what this room is going to end up being.

So yeah – the room is coming together but the project gets longer and longer because of our new ideas (my latest idea today was to buy a bona fide hiking sign from a campground sign vendor (yes, there really is one of those) – and B agreed).  I’m out of control.  And the worst part is – I have no interest in getting back into control.

If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been, now you know!

 

 


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Secure

I’ve been super busy around here, working on Matthew’s new room.  I’ve been posting updates to the page as we progress through the process, and working on his room is making me feel much more prepared for the arrival of BB2.  I’ve really been enjoying it – I mean – in a crazy way!  Designing kids’ rooms is one of my favorite things to do!  It’s been so much fun!  Now, if I could just get Matthew’s birthday party planned and invitations out – that would make me feel even better!  AND – if we could get decent enough weather to get our maternity photo session done, I’d feel even better still!  And THEN – if I could get BB2’s fun ultrasound scheduled for this week, I’d feel extra better!

But something has interfered with our productivity and fun with all of the above.

We woke up at 1:42 last night to the sound of our alarm system going off.  We had just gone to bed at 12:30 (insane, I know) because we were up watching Django last night, and in hindsight, this was a good thing.  We weren’t totally asleep yet which allowed us to be alert and as “on” as possible when your security system is blaring at 1:42 AM.

I immediately checked the bedroom security panel which said, “zone 13 – back bedroom.”  Holy shit – that’s Matthew’s bedroom!  I ran as fast as a pregnant woman can run to her baby’s room.  All was fine in there, and as the sirens were still going off, I kept thinking that this made no sense since the windows aren’t wired and we have glass break sensors in the house (not to mention that Matthew’s room is elevated a story from the ground, so it’s not like someone would climb a ladder to get in any way).  It had to be a different “back bedroom” which meant the basement.

I heard B on the phone with the security people as I was going in and out of Matthew’s room, trying to make sense of what was going on.  I told him to tell them that we don’t know if everything is OK yet.  He kept them on the phone as he checked the house.  They told him that it was for sure the downstairs back bedroom.  I went in to Matthew’s room to double-check his windows, and that’s when he woke up.  I heard a quiet, “mom mom” behind me and he was standing in his crib, confused.  I picked him up as quickly as I could and took him to the chair to rock him, with his door open a bit.

As I sat there rocking him, I thought how stupid of me to leave that door open (and unlocked).  How stupid of me to NOT grab my mobile phone on my way to his room.  How stupid of me to let B tell them not to send the police yet.  How stupid of me to let my husband search the house alone, with only someone on the phone with him.  How stupid of me to be assuming this was just a false alarm.

When Matthew fell back asleep, I quickly put him in his crib and left his room, shutting the door behind me.  I should have locked it.

B was out in the living room, very shaken, but off the phone.  Things looked good, things seemed fine, it was a false alarm.

We went back to bed, but neither of us slept.

Tonight, 18 hours after the event, B just told me that he checked the house twice today and saw signs of vandalism or attempted intrusion in that back  bedroom window.  Our security system worked as designed.  Amazingly, this makes me feel more secure than assuming it was a false alarm.

Assuming it was a false alarm would have made us more relaxed if this would happen again.  Knowing this was a real threat of some kind (not sure how big or small, and I’m not one to dramatize), it has forced us to do a few things that need to be done:

  • Security cameras are going up on all sides of the house ASAP
  • Motion lights are going up on all sides of the house ASAP
  • Bedroom windows that have first level access to them (we live in a ranch with walkout basement) will possibly be wired to our security system as a secondary measure of protection
  • Certain things in our nightly routine must change including ensuring all blinds are closed in all rooms (we forget about the rooms we don’t use during the day), turning on our security system earlier in the night, and leaving front exterior lights on overnight for now

We also walked through our actions from last night from the moment the alarm went off, to when we were settled back into bed.  We developed a plan for future incidents, no matter how minor they may seem (I am posting this so that we have this documented for our future reference – and I highly encourage everyone to make a plan like this in case they’re ever faced with an intrusion):

  • Both of us will grab our mobile phones
  • We will check the security panel for location of incident
  • I will secure both children in one bedroom (most likely the nursery since there is no ground level access to it) and lock the door
  • I will call the police (even though the security service does that as well)
  • We will let the alarm run for at least a minute (it did run for about a minute last night, and we think a bit longer would be good to ensure that any intruders/vandals hear that the alarm is going off and that we’re not quick to blow it off as a false alarm)
  • We will tell the security service to send police immediately – no matter how minor things appear to be.  This was our biggest mistake.  If the intruder/vandal watched to see how we handled the situation, they know that we did not have the police sent last night.  Biggest mistake of the night
  • We will notify neighbors the next day via letter in their mailboxes

B did call the non-emergency police line last night to report the incident and request a patrol car to scope the neighborhood.  He also called them tonight, letting them know that it was not a false alarm, and they want to come out tomorrow to look and get a statement from us.

We are not concerned about ourselves.  Our security system did what it was supposed to do, and it proved to be a wonderful investment. Without it, last night and today (and who knows what all else) could have been very different from how they were.  Instead of going to the zoo and out for dinner, we could have been dealing with a very serious situation.  What concerns us is our neighbors, our friends without security systems.  SOMETHING happened last night – vandalism, an attempted break-in, or a scoping of houses for security systems and easy targets.  Honestly, I think that someone was testing out the house (and others in the neighborhood) to see if we had a security system in place.  If they had wanted to break the window to break in last night, they would have.  I would like to believe it was a bunch of stupid kids out horsing around on a Saturday night, but the weather here is just plain awful and it isn’t the type of weather that would encourage such behavior (cold, raining, near-freezing temps).

Our house is secure.  Whoever was on our property last night now knows that.  They won’t be back.  In a matter of days and weeks, our house will be even more secure because we learned last night that peace of mind is worth much more than the effort and investment it takes to accomplish it.

We are secure… even if B is sleeping out on the sofa tonight just to be closer to the basement and Matthew… just in case!

Do you have a discussed (and documented) plan with your family members detailing how you would handle a possible intrusion in your home?  I highly recommend you discuss this with your family ASAP.  You never know what could happen.


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Because I Just Need to Share

We brought back a little bit of Disn.eyw.orld with us.  In my opinion, we brought back the best part!

When looking into restaurants and booking reservations in advance (something you must do for any sit-down meals on property), I heavily used Tri.p Adv.isor.  TA helped me find our destination wedding and honeymoon resort (which was fabulous!) and we’ve found it to be very helpful, so of course I went there to figure out where I should try finding reservations.  The #1 place on Disn.ey property, and the #3 place in ALL OF ORLANDO, was this little ice cream place.  I figured, ‘sounds good, but I’m not going to spend my time at Mag.ic Kingd.om searching for an ice cream stand.’  I quickly breezed past it but noted the name in case we ran into it.

As we were leaving Mag.ic Kingd.om on our very first day at the parks, because Matthew had had enough and even the DUCKS weren’t keeping him content, we passed this little ice cream stand.  B wasn’t with us – he was back checking something else out.  I pondered for a moment if I should get in the long line or not (there were two long lines, going in opposite directions from the place) and decided that Matthew probably couldn’t handle it.  B caught up to us and said, “I wonder what that place is.”  I said, “it’s the #1 rated food place in all of Disn.eywo.rld on Tri.p Adv.isor.”  His response?  “Well, dammit!”

I described what they had, B raised his one eyebrow (this is one of my very favorite features of his – his eyebrows are so expressive!), and I asked, “want to go stand in line?”  The decision was made, and Matthew and I were off to look at DUCKS again.

B waited in line for a good 10-15 minutes, but those minutes were worth every SECOND.

  • The Place?  Aloha Isle

aloha-isle

  • The Location?  Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom (very close to the entrance!)
  • The Delictable Item?  The Pineapple Float

aloha-isle-at-magic-kingdom

  • What is it, exactly?  Dole Whip Soft Serve (pineapple, vanilla, orange or swirl ice cream) with pineapple juice

B got his pineapple float with orange ice cream, I got mine with vanilla.  I thought mine was better, he thought his was better.  We both won!

That next night, we stopped at the grocery store and picked up a 6-pack of Dole pineapple juice and a box of vanilla bean ice cream.  We had this wonderful dessert for four of the nights we were there, and it was wonderful each time!

I just had one for dessert.  I had one last night.  I had one the night before.  B bought both orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream this time, so we’re both very, VERY happy.  They’re not as good as they were at Disn.eyw.orld because we’re not using soft serve ice cream, but they’re pretty damned good!

I suggest you try this immediately, no matter how strange it may sound to you.

And I will say this right now… YOU ARE WELCOME!


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What She Said! (NIAW)

It’s National Infertility Awareness Week, and I have nothing unique or thought-provoking to say.  I feel like it’s all been said in prior posts of mine, and those are not things I care to rehash.

Yes, infertility is hard on your marriage, your soul, your mind, and your heart.  Yes, it’s a disease that no one can understand or relate to unless they’ve been through it themselves (oh if I had a dollar for every time someone told me they know how I feel because their friend, sister, cousin’s friend, or favorite star went through IF!).  Yes, it’s devastating on so many levels, and brings out the worst in us (an “us” that we don’t even like, but we’re stuck with).

Yes, infertility sucks.

But that’s all been said, over and over and over again.  And it’s all been said on this blog, on others’ IF blogs, etc.

Today, I read something profound.  I’m sure you all follow Em at Teach Me to Braid, because, well… she’s a terrific writer and a very uniquely refreshing person to read!  So you’ve probably read this already, but in case you have not, please do.  She sums up what it feels like to be infertile so perfectly.

Joint the Movement… Validate