Energy

Or the lack there of.

Today was our first official day back. The students don't start until Monday. Even though I don't have to be at school until eight, I am running our morning routine so that I can be there by 7:15/ 7:30 am like a normal school day. I was off by 15 minutes, not bad first go around.

My alarm is set for 5:39 am. Odd number, but that's just where it's at. If I took my shower in the evening, my hair will be damp enough to style, or I would shower in the am. I will need to nurse Ethan, get him dressed, and then finish with myself. I have as much as possible packed and ready for the day. Right now, Ryan is in charge of getting Drew ready for the day. This arrangement worked out well last school year, and we will probably continue it as long as I am still nursing. Divide and Conquer.

I am exhausted. And the kids aren't even back yet. It is 9:30 pm and I am laying in the dark in my room. Can I make it another school year? I think I can. I think I can. I want to think I can.

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Not sure where I left off at in the previous post. Ethan got HFM and then Andrew got it horribly all around his mouth. Poor little guy has been out since Wednesday. Tomorrow will be his first day back at daycare. Still has some scabbing but those wet areas in the creases of lips take forever to heal.

+++++

Teaching is what makes me fat. Seriously, last week we had inservice for two days and then this full week. At 11 I think I will die of starvation. I can't take it. It would explain the 50 pound increase from first year of teach to fifth year of teaching.... besides babies. That is a whole other story. I have been trying to manage the scale by a healthy sensible diet and portion control. I can't work out yet. I have my post-op appt this Friday. Hopefully I will get the thumbs up. Though, ENERGY, will be needed for that activity. Anyways my portion controls get way out of portion when I am starving at lunch. And the sweets that are thrown at you are delicious. They are treats that celebrate good things my co-workers have done, how can I deny them?

++++++

I want to become a better blog. So I better blog more often.

Back to School

As this wonderful summer ends in the most crappy of ways I am reminded of how much I love my job. I am SO ready to get into the school year, know my little students, figure out what are my goals and challenges and to simply be in a more structured routine. This past week we had two campus work days and it is always so much fun seeing all the familiar faces and reconnecting. I have a great campus.
I am looking forward to this school year because....
*for the first time in three school years to not being pregnant!
* First time in two school years to not take maternity leave.
* First time in my entire teaching career of five short years to have a principal for more than one year. *Looking forward to applying for a FSFA forgiveness grant for working in a Title 1 school for five years. *As much as I have loved my previous partners in crime, I am looking forward to working with my new partner.
*To only having two classes vs. the three.
* To teach Social Studies again, I didn't get to last year. My favorite subject! Though reading has warmed my heart.
*Knowing our new reading curriculum and feeling confident in it.
*Finding more opportunities to be a leader.
*Having repeat families. I love having siblings and already knowing parents.
I am not looking forward to
*all the paper work. Not my fav.
*Drama. As of right now there is only one male staff custodian. That is a lot of stressed hormones raging up and down the hallways.
*Last year in this building. Moving into a new buidling next year.
*My classroom moved from a portable to inside the building.... which means cochroaches and mice. YUCK!
* The unknown STAAR. What will this do the students????? and teachers???? and parents?????
*Not spending my days with the hubs and dropping the boys off at daycare : (
Im in the middle of setting up my classroom. I have the desks the way I want them. When you walk in the door there are two bulliten boards to your right. The right will be social students and the second for student work. I have titled it "Spot On!" I have cut out backings from polka dot wrapping paper. In the back right corner of my room is the class library. I still need to label the baskets by book genres. In the middle of the back wall in my small group/guided reading station. I have my word wall set up there as well. The back left corner of the room is my computer. Front left corner is the student center with copies, paper, passes, turn-in trays, mailboxes, and supplies. I have a writing bulliten board set up there. On the front wall is a long dry erase board that I have divided into four sections by its natural lines. Going left to right, I have my Class News BB, Daily Objectives, then section for teacher led instruction, a spot that will always stay clean for projector, and the last section will have any sentence stems or multiple day instructions if needed.
I am debating on hanging my character posters on a string that goes across the windows. I think I may test it out and see if it looks tooo cluttered. Look forward for proof of a finished product!

Hand foot mouth

I wish this title was related to the things Drew is saying and pointing out but no it's the newest virus to hit the Bilski Household. My poor little Ethan is not a happy camper. This is only the second time in his 6 months of life to have a fever and need meds. Little Bubba does not handle it well, just like his mama. He has ulcears around and in his mouth which I am guessing is very painful because he screams and hardly eats. Last night he would only sleep when cuddled up to me. Which made me a little nervous because I had already taken my pain meds (stilllllll recoverying from my surgery last week). I didn't want to roll on top of him, but figured this was just how it was going to be.
Right now he is playing in his gym, a little happier than earlier. Thought we would take advantage of these short lived moments between the crying. Times like these your heart breaks because there is just not much you can do to take away the pain but just hold him and try to sooth him.
I hope this is not the trend of how this school year will go at daycare. Mother's guilt is starting to hit me. I wish I could keep them at home. I wish I could supply him with just breastmilk and not so much formula. I started thinking if I didn't start giving him so much formula he would of had a stronger immune system. Whats done is done, all I can do is pray that he will heal fast and be healthy.
______
Ethan did weight 21 lbs and 1 oz at the Dr.'s office. (90-95%) We didn't get his length though. I have tried at home and I got 29-30 inches which is off the charts so not sure if I did it right. We have 15 ounces till the car seat is no longer safe. Probably should make that change here pretty quick.
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I am starting to think all my readers have lost hope in me with the lack of comments. That is ok, I haven't been the most reliable blogger. But I have found a bunch of mommy and teacher blogs that I have been enjoying this summer.

Under the Knife

This past Tuesday I went under the knife to repair an incisional hernia. I was pretty nervous to have a surgical procedure done so close to the start of school. Also, the last recovery was pretty rough. Partially because I am a wimp and I had to be up all crazy hours taking care of a newborn baby.

The nurse reported to my mom that I was talking about two kids who still have their wisdom teeth??? I'm a light weight when it comes to anesthesia so I remember nothing. The only thing I could think of was an episode of The Duggars on 19 Children in Counting I had watched a few weeks before. If only they would tape this part, that would make a funny reality TV show.

I'm feeling better this time around. My family has helped out immensely. With dinners and helping with the boys.

And now the pain killers are making me fuzzy and need a nap.

A more coherent post is coming soon.

Stream of Thoughts

* Ryan and I spent almost an hour trying to find Andrew's puppy. It was behind the bathroom door. I think he hid it on purpose so he'd have an excuse not to go to bed. If he could speak clearly this is what I imagine he would say, " Mommy, Daddy, you cannot expect me to willingly fall asleep without my darling blue and white Ty beanie puppy, my Teddy(which he actually calls Puppy as well), blanket, milk, music, night light, five bajillion books could never replace my Puppy!" When I asked him where it was I actually expected him to take me to his secret hiding spot, he mumbled a few "words" and went straight to his legos.... Don't worry I have already been googling trying to find a second puppy!

*** arg. I have pictures for this post but won't upload. Imagine the cutest boy ever trying to take a stuffed dog swimming.

Ryan and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary! I'm so lucky I found someone perfect for me and an amazing daddy to our boys. I'm excited to see what lies in our future!

20 something days till school starts. I'm torn about this. I will miss my boys so much. But I am also excited to have a class to myself for the year. I realized that in the past three school years I was pregnant at one point or another. I have to have another surgery! Ugh. Worst ending to a summer vacation ever! I have an umbilical hernia from when I had my gallbladder out this past march. I can't seem to get away from the doctors and hospitals. Just want to be healthy. I wasn't nervous about the procedure till the pre-op appt. The nurse said I better follow dr orders after surgery because I don't want to mess this one up. Implying that it's my fault this happened. Arg. I have gotten a lot done in my classroom so I am ready for the year as much as possible!

New Blog App

Well, I was looking for a new blog app because the last one made all my pictures do a funky stretch. Let's test out the pics.... that took awhile to download. Hmmm, I will think about that. Sophie our always puppy black lab mix got a little excited and jumped up on Drew. Didn't phase him a bit. Unlike myself, I was calling my mom thinking he needed stitches! A little dermaplast spray and he was good to go! He is proud of his "boo boo!" Drew is talking all the time! Except around other people! He can be so shy sometimes.

This weeks recap: Monday I got to catch up with my childhood best friend, Anna! Haven't seen her in 9 years! Tuesday and Wednesday the boys went to daycare. Ryan and I saw hp7.2. Fabulous. Today Drew and I ran errands and enjoyed toddlertime at the library with our friends Ms. Ella and Paige. Tomorrow we will explore the splash pad with some friends.

Whats On My Mind
~ boys don't go to daycare till aug 2nd. I'm scared.
~ I feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with my library books I've checked out.
~ starting to feel anxious and excited about August- another school year
~surprised I didn't go hog wild with school supplies at target and HEB
~I'm mad at myself for eating a bowl of ice cream. Need to get rid of it!
~ I'm thinking breakfast for dinner tomorrow
~ I need an interior designer that will provide all the materials and work for free ;-)



Pictured download much faster when you make the pic smaller!

Celebrating the Heat

(Or hiding from the heat.) It has been over 100 degrees for 14 consecutive days. In total over 30, I think.

Well, the boys slept in till 8 am!!!! WOW that has happened probably three times this summer. Mind you I did get up and feed Ethan at 4:30 am and then 7 am. I have no problem with that, it could be worse. The beginning of summer Ethan would take a quick cat nap at 6:30-7pm, Eat, back asleep around 10pm Then at 12 am he would Eat, and then 2:30/3am Eat, 5:30 Eat, 7:30 Eat. I don't remember being soooo tired when Andrew was an infant, but then, he was on formula and I could make Ryan get up (he does such a better job at getting up in the middle of the night :)). Ethan is breastfed so that leads to me and only me to get up. He is so darn cute, when I go to pick him up smiles and spazes out. I can't be grumpy about that!

I had finished all the books on my bookshelf ( I love summer) and my library books. The library also does toddlertime which is a story time where one of the staff librarians reads around 5 books, sings songs, and does finger plays. It is too cute to see all those little ones running around. Andrew and I headed up there with our books in tow. After turning in our books and getting the books I had reserved I wanted to go upstairs and see what best sellers were in. To do this we have to go up a normal stair case. To Andrew, this is a giant scary thing he has only seen once before. He did alright, about half way up he started to melt down. He kept looking down behind him scared he was going to fall. Coming back down he did much better. Today's Toddlertime was all about dinosaurs. I love seeing how Drew interacts with the other kids. He is pretty shy and reserved. He watches every one very closely and studies how they behave. I have also decided I need to teach him what a real hug is because he keeps trying to gently head-butt all the other kiddos (especially the girls!!!)

We came home, ate lunch, and he went down for a nap. I cuddled with Ethan until he fell asleep and I tried to read one of my new books (a new post at a later date) but quickly fell asleep. Remember late bed time and getting up at 4:30 am and 7:00 am!!!

Today, Ryan was tutoring in the late afternoon, so I knew I wanted to do something that would keep Andrew super busy. Some people may be apprehensive about taking two babies under two out in public by themselves but with these two, they do better in public. After we got up from our naps we found ourselves at Lakeline Mall. I have not been there in forever, maybe Christmas? We went and walked around a little, found the kiddie area. Drew enjoyed running around, watching the carosel and kiddie train drive by. The boys were worn out = great success!

Andrew was in bed before 8 and Ethan wasn't too far behind! Here is too another day in A/C!

Tomorrow, we are going to the Quarry Splash Pad. That place is awesome. He always takes 3+hour naps after playing there. Which will help clean up a bit before the wonderful Mother-in-law and sister-in-laws come to visit for the weekend!

All things Bilski Summer Vacation Update

SOOOO, it has been awhile. What have you been up to? Really, that sounds exciting. Me?? Ohhh, I have been super busy. I have been..... uh.... you know the usual, like... uhh... stuff.

Anyways, I have been keeping myself occupied with these hunks!














I love my boys. They are freaking adorable. However, TWO babies under TWO is HARD!!!! I am not the first person to embark on this journey. My husband is home with me. I get to take them to daycare two days a week. So what am I complaining about, right!?



Drew will be 2 at the end of August. He is a spirited child. He cannot stand being home all day. He gets soo antsy and bored with anything we have at home. I have been trying to take him on little excersions. So far we have depleted my bank account at Target, Walmart, and HEB. We have been swimming, Austin Zoo, checking out the splash pads in our area, playdates, driving around, and going to our public library (for unknown reasons I have only just discovered how wonderful it is even though I have lived here since I was 10!!!) Which reminds me our books are due back tomorrow.



Ethan is a wonderful little baby. This little yummy chunk is 5 months old. I cannot believe how time flies. Of course, I knew it would fly because I still can't believe Drew will be two in a month, it never ceases to amaze me. He has the same temperament that Andrew had as an infant. Easy going, laid back, and chill. I feel bad that sometimes he gets over looked because Andrew is so "bubbly"right now. Though, I do find myself holding him almost ALL day long and napping with him because soon he will be a big boy and not my baby. *** sniff****

We are almost half way through July, which means August, which means back to work, which means I wont get to spend all my time with my boys, which means I will get to see all my wonderful co-workers and meet my new students. I feel as a teacher I am getting the best of both worlds. I work full time and get to experience the satisfaction of helping kids learn. I get holidays with my family.

I had a bevie tonight that has left me feeling a little nostalgic. Can you tell? I will leave you with a pic of two love birds.This is right before we were engaged.


Here we are as family. Which might be our only decent family shot. We should work on that some more.

SUMMER!!!!

I will not sit on my ass this summer! I've got myself some long term and short term goals.

Long term-lose baby weight and more, get house up to par, be a balanced momma!

Short term to do between today and June 10.
Swim laps at least three times a week.
Take boys for a walk everyday.(Revision: On days they don't go to daycare)
Organize the master ( made improvement today)
Move a big boy bed into Andrew's room and move crib into Ethan's room
Figure out what Ethan had ALREADY grown out of. Seriously found a box of clothes that are too small.
Get Ethan into his own room. : (
Organize play room.
Get my living room back.
Organize hall closet.
Organize my pantry. (almost done because my fabulous aunt Brenda)
Sign Andrew up for swim lessons.
Read at least one book. Haven't decided which one yet.
Dust ceiling fans and TV.
Take time with the hubby.

Can I do all of this in 2 weeks with 2 babies????

¡Si yo puedo!

Because my boys are cute.

Where are you???

Why haven't I blogged in awhile???

It's not because of laziness this time but because I am a mother of two boys, a toddler and infant. Not only that but it is the end of school year craziness and any experienced teacher knows what that is about.

Here is a quick update...
- finished Hunger Games Trilogy. How did I have time for that?? I didn't sleep for two weeks!
-I started a journal for Ethan and Andrew. I have already started to forget precious memories (blame the lack of sleep). I want the boys to know all of it!
- I think going to the pool will help Drew warm up to the idea of bath time.
- Ryan and I have recently had two great date nights. We have seen Blue October and then Augustana. We like live music.
- I think Drew is teething. Ugh.
-Friday is the last day of school! Love my job and students but I also love pretending I am a SAHM. One can dream.
-Today I was able to wear both wedding bands comfortably. Er... Maybe I am not a lost cause. Say no to sugar!!! Er. Yum.
-Ethan is growing too fast. Let him in the jumper. What's funny is that we are putting Ethan on it about a months earlier than Drew yet Ethan's feet touch flat to the ground when Andrew had books under him!!!


This is Andrew after we first bought it!!!!



Ethan's turn!!!

I've Never.....

Remember that game...... ;-)

I'm on a quest to do new things! Not quite a bucket list, just want to broaden my horizons.

Last night was date night. Went to dinner and a concert. I wanted to go out for sushi. The place we decided on ended up having a long wait and Ryan does not like to wait! We ended up going to Maggiono's, which we haven't been to the new one in the domain. We then saw my fav band Blue October at the new Austin City Limits Live theater. It was pretty nice. Unfortunately the sears are made for skinny as bitches. And I am not that!

I want to do the haunted ghost tours of Austin, take the boys to a zoo, maybe hike some new trails... Please give me some more inexpensive ideas! Summer vacation starts in 4 weeks. :-)

ER

I'm sitting in the ER right now with my baby Ethan. This poor little guy has a 101 fever. And since he just under 3 months I was told by the on call pedi to bring him in.

So far he was weighed at 14 pounds and 14 ounces! So he is well fed.
There is no AC due to construction and feels like a damn sauna.
Took four nurses and three attempts to get an IV and enough blood.
They did a catheter and he can store a lot of urine in his bladder.
He LOVES medicine. Sugary flavored goodness.
Excellent oxygen levels.
Going to be a thumb sucker even though I am pushing the paci.
Still has a fever. :-(. Makes me sad. Trying not to shed any tears and to be strong for my brave little boy.

I cannot count the ER trips I have made in the last two years. I have simply lost count. And not just for the boys. It seems that having kids makes all Emergency related things happen on holidays or after hours.



I find out lab results in an hour.

sleep deprived.

I told several people at work today how Ethan slept through the night and how wonderful it was. Putting him to bed I kept falling asleep while nursing. So, I asked Ryan to give him a bottle. That is the last thing I remember.

This afternoon when telling my Grammie about it Ryan mentioned how he brought Ethan to me and I fed him at midnight and put him to bed! Crazy! I guess it still counts because I slept through the night even if Ethan did not.

A few OT side notes:

TGIF
Just finished The Hunger Games. First time to finished a book in 6 months
My whole reason for going to Walmart was to get plastic Easter eggs (sold out!) and paper plates (forgot). Pointless. Yet I still managed to spend $91. Bust.
I have the cutest boys
Recently bought plane tickets to Seattle in sept for my cuz's wedding!!
Flat tire= brand new tire
Happy good friday
Happy Easter

Forget the bunny, remember the lamb. I have my joy and family because he died for me.

I would not be shocked if Donald Trump turned out to be the anti-Christ!

Post Created Apr 21, 2011 8:49:36 PM

I was trying to be a better blogger. I failed...

What's new?
1.



2.



3. Reading The Hunger Games
4. Trying to lose baby weight. Doing couch to 5k. It's taken me 3/4 weeks to do 6 work outs. Doing pilates on Mondays. Working on that core.
5. Kids at school have hit the rude and disrespectful part of the school year. Gotta live them.

Baby crying... I am out.

Back To Work

Well, I went back to work today. Sigh :-/.

I would love to be able to stay at home the next few years with my boys but that is not an option. I have got to suck it up, put on my big girl panties and go to work.

Dropping Ethan off at daycare was no problem. I am confident in the home daycare I have the boys in. I think the second time around isn't too bad.

Even though I want to be home I love my job. People do not survive in the education field if they do not love it. My students were so wonderful. Lots of hugs, smiles, and drawings to hang!

March Madness

It's been madness alright! I know hardly anything to write a sports related entry but I will try.

As I think back I don't ever remember there being a March Madness till Texas Tech was in it my junior year in college. I just happen to be in Las Vegas participating in my first betting experience.

My wonderful hubby loves March Madness probably more than Christmas. He and his friends have organized a group to follow along with the madness. This is my fifth year to participate. Ryan did say last night that I have a good track record. In the past four years I have won 1st(!) place once and my lotto team went to the elite eight or final four ( can't remember) last year. We usually have around 50-70 people in the bracket challenge.

This year the title March Madness has really been true to the name. High seeds dropping like flies due to buzzer beaters. Brackets destroyed. My bracket would be in better shape of it wasn't for a small minor fatal mistake. When entering my bracket I accidentally put Pitt as the champ instead of Ohio St. I didn't realize this mistake until two minutes were left in the game that Pitt lost. :-(. Oh well.

I like doing the bracket because it is something I can share with Ryan and makes these 90 million basketball games more interesting. Unfortunately, the interest level has dropped a little because I know I cannot win.

What will I do with my time? Maybe I will try and finish the book I started four months ago!

Finally Healthy

In the last 7 weeks I have recovered from the delivery of my 9 lb 3 oz son, gallbladder attack due to inflammation and gallstones, surgery removing my gallbladder, yucky flu-like virus, and most recently pink eye. All while taking care of my sweet boys who had the nasty virus too!

I think I need to go back to teaching so my immune system can be exposed to all those germs and strengthen up!!! I go back to work March 31st. I'm torn about returning. I will be glad to have more interaction but I know that tension and emotions are a little out of control because of TAKS and budget cut lay-offs. I'm also torn because I love the kiddos and teaching but I would so love the chance to be a SAHM to my boys before they start school. However, we are not in the financial position to do that. I do have summers though!

Ethan showed off for the camera today!!!

Sleep Log

There are so many logs you can keep to make sure all is being done correctly.

Wet/dirty diapers
Bottles/how many oz
Breastfeeding- how often on each side
Mom's diet- to reach weight loss goals or see how foods react to infant

I have a mental log on how much sleep I am getting at night. Two nights ago I got 2 solid hours and a few 20 minute chunks. That nearly broke me. Last night I went to bed at 1130 got up at 230, then 4 and was wide awake till 5, woke up at 6 then up at 8. Three years ago this would of broken me but today I feel refreshed! Yawn ;-)

Dennis the Menace

AKA Andrew has become a full fledged toddler. If it was just him I think I would be just as exhausted at the end of the day as I am with a 18 mo and 6 wo. He has so much energy it is unreal!

Normally he goes to a home daycare during the day even though I am at home on maternity leave. Ryan and Drew are home this week because of spring break. Which looses it's magic when your already home.

I feel Andrew has grown so much the last few months. He is talking so much and becoming more of a dare devil than Ryan or I ever were. Today, he accidentally rolled right off the couch and thought it was the coolest thing. He proceeded to repeat several times. Some words he is saying: up, doggy, stop it, ouchy, so sweet, good job, and the cutest one right now: ok. He says it after any question you ask him with such certainty. Im sure there are many more he us meaning to say, his yapping all day long with all sorts of vowel and consonant sound combinations.

He is getting better at eating, including veggies. There was probably about 6 months where he refused to touch a veggie. We are working on using a spoon and fork. The other night he sat in his booster seat and pretend eat applesauce with his spoon probably for 20 minutes. The next night he demanded that he actually do it himself. He may of actually got a third of the container in his mouth. That was a bath night.

He loves being outside. His best friend is Sophie and I think the feelings are mutual for the most part. She is so great around him. He literally lays right on top her and just 15 minutes ago I was prying his fingers from her poor ear and nose. I keep a close eye on them because one day her patience may run out! They chase each other outside and in. He is learning how to play fetch with her.

His will to do what he wants is strong. He has started trying to boss us around! When he does something bad and we try and discipline him he starts his check list of bad things and sees what kind of reaction he can get out of us. We have started time out. I think he is too young to understand the concept and to get him to stay in the time out spot. He was pushing us hard tonight. I was ready to start spanking! Sometimes I watch Supernanny and think I am going to end up in this show! If you have any suggestions on disciplining a toddler please feel free to comment.

With this growing personality the more love and affection he shows us. His "hugs and kisses" is when he rests his head on you. It's so sweet. He does it to Sophie and Diego. He tries to do it with Ethan but usually pairs it with this claw swipe grasp towards the face.

I love watching him grow and learn about the world around him.

Ethan's Birth Story

My mind is fading fast and we are wide awake at 4:30 am. Seems like the perfect time to write. Which also means look for lots of errors!!!!

There are some parallels in my two boys birth stories. That is very long "pre-labor." In quotations because at the time they are painful, the contractions were coming every five minutes for several hours. I think to myself that this HAS to be the real deal. With Andrew I was 2-3 cm dilated and 75% effaced for 2 or 3 weeks and with Ethan I was 4 cm dilated and 0% effaced for two weeks.

Saturday- Went in to Labor and Delivery- "yes you are having contractions, I know you are in pain but you are not progressing." Damn. "Go home and take some tylenol, a bath, drink tons of water and rest." Damn you nurse, get it out. Is what I am thinking.

Monday- more contractions. Tylenol-check. Bath and shower- check. Drink tons of water- check. Rest- kinda check. How much rest can you get chasing a toddler and having to pee every five minutes from said water. Contractions getting closer and closer. I go to L and D. "yes you are having contractions, I know you are in pain but you are not progressing." F- though I am not terribly disappointed because I know that I have an induction planned within 24 hours of this discharge.

7 pm Tuesday night Andrew and our dog, Sophie, went to my dads for a few days. I cried knowing that I am about to ruin Andrew's perfect world of being a spoiled only child all because of my shellfish reasons of wanting another child and you know continue man-kind.

10 pm We headed to L&D. We checked in and got settled for the "long" process of an induction. We expecting it to take 20 ish hours. It took 10.

Wednesday 2-2-2011 12 am- This time around they inserted a pill into my cervix. After two hours nothing was happening. Which is normal but in my head I am thinking they are going to have to start a form of torture called pitocin (which assisted in the very painful birth of Drew). The nurse said if the first dose doesn't work they will just put in another after four hours.

2 am- As soon as she left the room those REAL-not-pre-labor contractions started and jumped to one to two minutes apart. I think I am dealing with the pain pretty good. I wasn't stressed out about it because I knew I was going the epidural route. They started to get real intense and was thinking it was time for drugs.

*the rest of the time table are predictions because details get blurry!!

3:30 am- Nurse comes and checks me. I'm fully effaced but still 4 cm. I ask for pain relief. Shot of stadol is my best option at this point. UGH. I hate that stuff. Does not take the pain away. Just makes you feel like your tripping on some serious narcotics for the minute between contractions and as soon as that contraction starts you are brought back to reality to be tortured by your own body. During these cycles I remember hearing Ryan and my mom play words with friends

4:30 am- the tripping off of stadol only lasted an hour before I felt it wear off. I was checked and think the nurse said 5-6 cm now. Yay!!! Epidural. Let's hope you do your job this time.

5:00 am- finally the anesthesiologist makes an appearance. The process of the placement of the epi was a breeze. It was having to sit in that "scared-cat" position during a million contractions is what sucked. I also lost my cool with one of the nurses. She kept telling me to stop humming and just breath through them. I think I snapped at her with something like " I hum". Real creative. I was seriously amazed I got those two words out of my mouth!

5:30 am- Wonderful painless bliss. I'm not sure what happened between now and 9:30 am. Did I nap? Watch tv? Chat with the hubs and my mom? Not sure maybe they can leave some insight in the comments!

9:30- fully dilated and effaced. Nurse had me do a practice push and the told me to labor down. My epi worked so well I could let this happen more easily. Last time I could not resist the urges to push. Also, at this time my dad, step-dad, and good friend Ross all show up to give their love and support. Unfortunately they didn't get to stay long because I started feeling some spasms down there. The nurse had me do one push and made me stop. She said he was about to come out! I couldn't believe it!!! My Dr. H sprinted from his offices. I remember the nurse told him to relax bc she made me put my legs together!

10:26 am- All the delivery materials were set up. I think I pushed for two or three contractions and Ethan was born!!!! I thought to myself "I could do that again!"

He was 9 lbs 3 oz and 22 in. At first he looked just like Drew but slowly all his own physical characteristics began to stick out!

Ryan said his umbilical cord was something like 3 ft long! Some how I missed that part. Since Ethan did not spend much time in the birth canal he struggled with some fluid in his lungs. Similar to what can happen in a c-sec. He managed to clear his lungs out by that evening. Also had some pooping and jaundice issues but that all took care of itself within the first week of life.

Andrew came and visited but wanted nothing to do with me. All he wanted was to run up and down the hallway and get behind the nurses station.

We had a few visitors but not as much this time because we did not have to stay those extra days. With in 27 hours of Ethan's arrival we were able to be back home relaxing in our own space.

Seriously, that had to be the most perfect induction and delivery known to man! I really could do it again! However, the transition of one child to two is way harder than I thought. Hard enough I am thinking two is enough and wouldn't ever be able to handle three!

Way Back Wednesday

This post will take you back one whole week. The day Ethan came into the world! He was born at 38 weeks and 6 days gestational, Feb 2nd at 10:26 am, weighing 9 lbs 3 oz and measuring 22 in!!! I would have to say it was the smoothest induction known to man. I will get into those details in another post. But right now I need to go be a milkmaid.