Tuesday, December 29, 2009
What Changes Six Months Can Bring!
I had every intention of blogging leading up to, and after the birth of our baby..but yeah...didn't happen. Just now am I feeling like my life is settled down enough that I can begin to put my thoughts down again! After a long and crazy 9 months, we had a beautiful little girl (! totally thought we were having a boy) and have been getting adjusted to life with a little one. In the next few days, I plan on putting up some pictures, typing up her birth story, and reading the heck out of all of the blogs I've missed. Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas :)
Monday, June 22, 2009
8 Days To Go
...until my favorite festival of the year, that is. Next week we'll be packing up and heading to Cornerstone Music Festival, from Tuesday- Saturday. I'll be reuniting with good friends from across the country and from Canada, sitting in on interesting discussions and seminars, and of course listening to lots of great music.
This event has kind of become how my husband and I recharge and get inspired for the year to come..its rather hard to explain. There are some folks we've become friends with, some from Minnesota, some from Philadelphia and some from Canada..all of them are wonderful, passionate people who are more or less part of the 'simple church' mindset. It's so nice to be able to spend a few days discussing challenges, sharing stories and imagining how to do things differently. Plus, its a great big conglomeration of people, and lots from the fringes of Christian society. Phyllis Tickle will be there doing a seminar and a big rountable discussion, Derek Webb ( along with 300+ other bands/musicians) is playing Wednesday night...be still my heart.
This year however, poses a few more challenges. I'm not officially on bedrest but I might as well be. It's pretty obvious that we will have our baby early, at least a week or two, possibly more if my blood pressure doesn't cooperate. So we've rented a dorm room at a nearby college so I've got a place to go with showers, a/c and a real bed- instead of the usual camping situation. I might end up back in the room much of the time, but I'm hoping to be able to catch the seminars and music I want. I've puffed up like a balloon, and I'm learning the true meaning of cankles ( yuck). But all of that's fine with me as long as this little one is still on the inside and growing. To be honest, I'm terrified at the prospect of an early baby. As of this morning's NST and appointment with my CNM, we're looking at possibly from 2-3 weeks if my bp/labs/etc go crazy, and 4-5 weeks if things stay fairly stable. So in the meantime, we need to finish up the nursery, move our furniture in ( because the new carpet finally came, yay)...and just get ready in general.
I'm going to try to cut down as many hours as I can at work, and stay at home laying low. A Phyllis Tickle book on fixed hour prayer is on its way, as well as a new Frank Viola book about actually practicing 'simple church' , so I've got some good thought provoking/inspirational material.
A few weeks ago, I had my first experience with buying bulk herbs online. I purchased a pound of red raspberry leaf and a pound of spearmint from morethanalive.com, and both have been great. I'd been wanting to try RRL tea but the price was steep at the local health food store. I've been using my infuser and brewing a pot each day, some to drink hot but mostly to drink cold since it's so hot outside. Anyone else drink RRL when they were pregnant? I've got a baby sling on the way as well, one I ordered from Etsy- love that website. http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.69609766.jpg Isn't it cute?Oh yeah, I bought a nursing cover too. Hmm..maybe me being at home a lot with access to a computer/online shopping is a bad thing?
This event has kind of become how my husband and I recharge and get inspired for the year to come..its rather hard to explain. There are some folks we've become friends with, some from Minnesota, some from Philadelphia and some from Canada..all of them are wonderful, passionate people who are more or less part of the 'simple church' mindset. It's so nice to be able to spend a few days discussing challenges, sharing stories and imagining how to do things differently. Plus, its a great big conglomeration of people, and lots from the fringes of Christian society. Phyllis Tickle will be there doing a seminar and a big rountable discussion, Derek Webb ( along with 300+ other bands/musicians) is playing Wednesday night...be still my heart.
This year however, poses a few more challenges. I'm not officially on bedrest but I might as well be. It's pretty obvious that we will have our baby early, at least a week or two, possibly more if my blood pressure doesn't cooperate. So we've rented a dorm room at a nearby college so I've got a place to go with showers, a/c and a real bed- instead of the usual camping situation. I might end up back in the room much of the time, but I'm hoping to be able to catch the seminars and music I want. I've puffed up like a balloon, and I'm learning the true meaning of cankles ( yuck). But all of that's fine with me as long as this little one is still on the inside and growing. To be honest, I'm terrified at the prospect of an early baby. As of this morning's NST and appointment with my CNM, we're looking at possibly from 2-3 weeks if my bp/labs/etc go crazy, and 4-5 weeks if things stay fairly stable. So in the meantime, we need to finish up the nursery, move our furniture in ( because the new carpet finally came, yay)...and just get ready in general.
I'm going to try to cut down as many hours as I can at work, and stay at home laying low. A Phyllis Tickle book on fixed hour prayer is on its way, as well as a new Frank Viola book about actually practicing 'simple church' , so I've got some good thought provoking/inspirational material.
A few weeks ago, I had my first experience with buying bulk herbs online. I purchased a pound of red raspberry leaf and a pound of spearmint from morethanalive.com, and both have been great. I'd been wanting to try RRL tea but the price was steep at the local health food store. I've been using my infuser and brewing a pot each day, some to drink hot but mostly to drink cold since it's so hot outside. Anyone else drink RRL when they were pregnant? I've got a baby sling on the way as well, one I ordered from Etsy- love that website. http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.69609766.jpg Isn't it cute?Oh yeah, I bought a nursing cover too. Hmm..maybe me being at home a lot with access to a computer/online shopping is a bad thing?
Monday, June 1, 2009
A Little Nervous
A few weeks ago I went for my normal check with the midwife, and everything looked fine..except my bp. Normally, it's fine so for it to shoot up was abnormal. They asked me to watch it, and have it taken again before I left work at the hospital that day, and call them with the numbers. Unfortunately, by that afternoon it had only risen even more.
I'm now on Procardia three times a day in hopes of a. keeping the bp down and b. preventing preterm labor that the high bp might cause. I'm also going weekly for a non stress test, bp check and to make sure I'm not spilling protein. So technically at this point I don't have preeclampsia, but it could develop. My midwife and doctor have told me that if I go into labor on my own after 34 weeks, they will not stop it. At 34 weeks the baby could probably just stay at our regional hospital, and not have to go to the nearest NICU, 45 minutes away. Of course I hope I go longer, though...
So now begins the discussions of worst case scenarios; if my bp doesn't stay under control I'll probably be induced, if bed rest doesn't help. I'm not on bed rest at this point but have been told I will be if I don't take it easy ( not so easy when we're moving, painting, packing etc). As of last week's check up, my bp was much better and still no protein. Last week's NST showed I wasn't contracting much and the baby's heart rate was good. If things keep going this way they'll let me go as long as I need to. And as long as I'm not hooked up to pit with an induction, I can still use the labor tub,etc.
But I won't lie, all of this has me scared. It's getting warmer here and I've started to swell, but every day I check my face in the mirror a bazillion times to see if it's gotten puffy- I'm so worried I'll develop preeclampsia. Mainly I just feel really out of control, like things were a-okay up until recently and now it's a big crapshoot. Obviously, the most important thing is the safety of both baby and I, but my recent high risk status has me creeped out. Trying to move and set up a new house while not over-exerting myself is about impossible, and I feel totally unprepared should the baby make an unexpected early arrival.
So much for a routine, complication free pregnancy/delivery...
I'm now on Procardia three times a day in hopes of a. keeping the bp down and b. preventing preterm labor that the high bp might cause. I'm also going weekly for a non stress test, bp check and to make sure I'm not spilling protein. So technically at this point I don't have preeclampsia, but it could develop. My midwife and doctor have told me that if I go into labor on my own after 34 weeks, they will not stop it. At 34 weeks the baby could probably just stay at our regional hospital, and not have to go to the nearest NICU, 45 minutes away. Of course I hope I go longer, though...
So now begins the discussions of worst case scenarios; if my bp doesn't stay under control I'll probably be induced, if bed rest doesn't help. I'm not on bed rest at this point but have been told I will be if I don't take it easy ( not so easy when we're moving, painting, packing etc). As of last week's check up, my bp was much better and still no protein. Last week's NST showed I wasn't contracting much and the baby's heart rate was good. If things keep going this way they'll let me go as long as I need to. And as long as I'm not hooked up to pit with an induction, I can still use the labor tub,etc.
But I won't lie, all of this has me scared. It's getting warmer here and I've started to swell, but every day I check my face in the mirror a bazillion times to see if it's gotten puffy- I'm so worried I'll develop preeclampsia. Mainly I just feel really out of control, like things were a-okay up until recently and now it's a big crapshoot. Obviously, the most important thing is the safety of both baby and I, but my recent high risk status has me creeped out. Trying to move and set up a new house while not over-exerting myself is about impossible, and I feel totally unprepared should the baby make an unexpected early arrival.
So much for a routine, complication free pregnancy/delivery...
Monday, May 11, 2009
Input needed
For those of you who use baby slings..which ones are your favorites? The place we're registering doesn't really carry them, so I'll probably be buying one or two on my own.
So, maya, moby, mei tai, hot slings, etc..which worked for you and which didn't?
Also, if you cloth diaper..where do you buy yours? I don't mind investing some money in them but want to get a good deal. So far I've only really looked at Green Mountain Diapers. I'm a bit clueless as to how much/what sizes to order. The baby will be in disposables some of the time, when he/she goes to grandparents or to my sil's a day or two a week while I work. But at home, we're going to try to stick with cd-ing.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
So, maya, moby, mei tai, hot slings, etc..which worked for you and which didn't?
Also, if you cloth diaper..where do you buy yours? I don't mind investing some money in them but want to get a good deal. So far I've only really looked at Green Mountain Diapers. I'm a bit clueless as to how much/what sizes to order. The baby will be in disposables some of the time, when he/she goes to grandparents or to my sil's a day or two a week while I work. But at home, we're going to try to stick with cd-ing.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Disconnected from civilization..
...or so it feels. My just-barely-a-year-old laptop decided to die, right after the warranty ran out. A good friend is being kind enough to build us a new computer, but in the meantime..ack! I did okay for the first week and a half but I'm going through major internet/blog withdrawl! I'm sure its probably a good thing, because I've read about 6 books, done research, and hit some killer garage sales for baby gear..but still!
So I've now got officially less than 3 months until baby is supposed to arrive. Part of me is really excited, the other part is scared to death. But in good news, we are selling our place that we live now! Woohoo! The paperwork has been finalized and as of June 1st we will no longer own the little ( 576 sq ft to be exact) beaten down, extremely vintage ( ie 1972) mobile home that we started out in. So, where are we going to move?
Well..that's a story in and of itself. We've been house hunting for a good 6 months now, and have a very nice down payment saved up. However, our credit scores are still recovering from less than prudent financial decisions of our younger days, so we decided to wait another year or so before buying to give our scores some time to go up.
So...we're moving....4 doors down. An older lady with Alzheimers passed away recently, and her daughter was looking to sell her mobile home. We happened to stop by when they had an estate sale, and got to talking with her. The home is a 1992, so compared to our 1972..it was downright luxurious. It has been maintained very well, is larger than where we've been, has two nice size bedrooms, a garden tub, lots of closet space, a huge kitchen, washer and dryer, a huge carport and nice shed with a workbench, electricity,etc. The best part? She asked more than we were willing to spend, but liked us enough to ask what we had..and accepted that! So not only will we get to stay close to hubby's work, my work, school ( for both of us)..but we'll pay absolutely nothing more a month than we do now. The little park we live in is in a great neighborhood, and is comprised of mostly elderly people. So as much as I wanted to be in our own house with our own garden right now..this will be much better in the end. We can save more, our credit scores can improve, and I can work less after the baby comes because our living expenses won't go up at all. When the perfect house comes along, we'll be able to say we want it- and be able to afford it.
I'm just so thankful that all 3 of us will have a nice, safe place that suits our needs, and allows us to be better prepared for the things we want down the road. So now its moving time, again- and I'll finally be able to open up and use our wedding gifts! We need to paint, but otherwise everything is move-in ready. The best part- I can finally start putting together a nursery :)
So I've now got officially less than 3 months until baby is supposed to arrive. Part of me is really excited, the other part is scared to death. But in good news, we are selling our place that we live now! Woohoo! The paperwork has been finalized and as of June 1st we will no longer own the little ( 576 sq ft to be exact) beaten down, extremely vintage ( ie 1972) mobile home that we started out in. So, where are we going to move?
Well..that's a story in and of itself. We've been house hunting for a good 6 months now, and have a very nice down payment saved up. However, our credit scores are still recovering from less than prudent financial decisions of our younger days, so we decided to wait another year or so before buying to give our scores some time to go up.
So...we're moving....4 doors down. An older lady with Alzheimers passed away recently, and her daughter was looking to sell her mobile home. We happened to stop by when they had an estate sale, and got to talking with her. The home is a 1992, so compared to our 1972..it was downright luxurious. It has been maintained very well, is larger than where we've been, has two nice size bedrooms, a garden tub, lots of closet space, a huge kitchen, washer and dryer, a huge carport and nice shed with a workbench, electricity,etc. The best part? She asked more than we were willing to spend, but liked us enough to ask what we had..and accepted that! So not only will we get to stay close to hubby's work, my work, school ( for both of us)..but we'll pay absolutely nothing more a month than we do now. The little park we live in is in a great neighborhood, and is comprised of mostly elderly people. So as much as I wanted to be in our own house with our own garden right now..this will be much better in the end. We can save more, our credit scores can improve, and I can work less after the baby comes because our living expenses won't go up at all. When the perfect house comes along, we'll be able to say we want it- and be able to afford it.
I'm just so thankful that all 3 of us will have a nice, safe place that suits our needs, and allows us to be better prepared for the things we want down the road. So now its moving time, again- and I'll finally be able to open up and use our wedding gifts! We need to paint, but otherwise everything is move-in ready. The best part- I can finally start putting together a nursery :)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Been 'blah' about blogging
I'm not really sure what has taken over me, but for the last few months I just haven't had the desire to blog. I love reading them, but have felt at a loss of what to write about.
A little update on the happenings around my house- we are actually looking for a house. Its been quite the emotional rollercoaster, but I know we will find one that is perfect for us in the end. My husband is looking into getting back into school full-time, which would be wonderful. It is just a matter of finding the right program and the right hours to fit around his work schedule.
On the baby front, things are going quite well, I will be 24 weeks on Friday. For the past 2-ish weeks I've finally felt some movement, which is weird. I won't lie, it feels like I've got an alien inside of me. But...a cute little alien :-) I'm still trying to watch what I eat, because of worries about gestational diabetes. In a few weeks I'll do the glucose screening, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
We are getting closer and closer to being debt free!! Its taken a few months of living on a shoestring budget, but I can't believe how much debt we've been able to pay down in such a short amount of time. Now it will be a matter of keeping the wise spending going, as well as using the money we're not spending on paying off debt- to save.
With the baby coming in early August, financial planning has been a big issue for us. I will be taking the full 12 weeks off of work, and will have enough PTO saved up to pay for about 1- 1 1/2 months of it, which is great. But the rest of the time we will be hurting, so we're putting away money in savings to cover things like health insurance, gas, food, etc. I will unfortunately need to go back to work a few days a week in order to pay for our insurance, and to supplement our income. Once Adam finishes his degree, I won't need to do this but in the meantime it is our reality.( so YAY for him going back to school!)
Now I'm starting to make lists of what baby items I want to register for, and what items I think I can find at garage sales this summer. Also I'm signing up for a local breastfeeding class, so hopefully that will be informative. Any of you natural birth advocates have resources ( books etc) you recommend for coping methods? Lamaze, bradley method, etc. Also..what worked for you? August seems to be coming sooner and sooner, and despite my desire to go drug-free, I know that I'll be nervous and need to plan ahead. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
I think I've rambled enough...until next time!
A little update on the happenings around my house- we are actually looking for a house. Its been quite the emotional rollercoaster, but I know we will find one that is perfect for us in the end. My husband is looking into getting back into school full-time, which would be wonderful. It is just a matter of finding the right program and the right hours to fit around his work schedule.
On the baby front, things are going quite well, I will be 24 weeks on Friday. For the past 2-ish weeks I've finally felt some movement, which is weird. I won't lie, it feels like I've got an alien inside of me. But...a cute little alien :-) I'm still trying to watch what I eat, because of worries about gestational diabetes. In a few weeks I'll do the glucose screening, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
We are getting closer and closer to being debt free!! Its taken a few months of living on a shoestring budget, but I can't believe how much debt we've been able to pay down in such a short amount of time. Now it will be a matter of keeping the wise spending going, as well as using the money we're not spending on paying off debt- to save.
With the baby coming in early August, financial planning has been a big issue for us. I will be taking the full 12 weeks off of work, and will have enough PTO saved up to pay for about 1- 1 1/2 months of it, which is great. But the rest of the time we will be hurting, so we're putting away money in savings to cover things like health insurance, gas, food, etc. I will unfortunately need to go back to work a few days a week in order to pay for our insurance, and to supplement our income. Once Adam finishes his degree, I won't need to do this but in the meantime it is our reality.( so YAY for him going back to school!)
Now I'm starting to make lists of what baby items I want to register for, and what items I think I can find at garage sales this summer. Also I'm signing up for a local breastfeeding class, so hopefully that will be informative. Any of you natural birth advocates have resources ( books etc) you recommend for coping methods? Lamaze, bradley method, etc. Also..what worked for you? August seems to be coming sooner and sooner, and despite my desire to go drug-free, I know that I'll be nervous and need to plan ahead. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
I think I've rambled enough...until next time!
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