Oh my goodness. I stopped reading all the blogs I follow when we moved because we got so busy trying to adjust to things. I just skimmed over a couple and I can't believe I've made it without them so long! It's so great to read stories from other moms my age who are going through the same things as me.
My 2012 New Years resolutions:
1. Use a budget (the one designed by my wonderful man!)
2. Keep in touch! We value our friends and family so much, but we often neglect them because we're so busy. This year, I'm going to try to turn that around.
3. Blog more. I can't make any specific commitments, but I know that blogging and following others' blogs gives me joy and hope. I have put blogging on the bottom of my priority list while I worked on getting settled in to my new life as a mother of one and a family teacher of seven, but now it's time to get back to writing!
4. Stop over-committing! I keep adding projects to my to do list because they are things I know I can do, and I even want to do. The problem is just because I can and want to do something doesn't mean I have time for it!
As for the first few weeks of January and these resolutions... so far, so good. I'm making slow but sure progress! I have finally caught up with our personal email, we're doing great with our budget, and Joe and I have sketched out the whole years worth of travel plans (when you only have about 10 days to yourself each month, traveling to see your family that is spread out between 6 states gets tricky...not to mention expensive!)
And, with that, I will close, because Brenan just FILLED his diaper while sitting on my lap.
Happy New Year!
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Adventures with our growing B
We had a lot of fun today at "Fall for Greenville." It's like a massive taste test of downtown Greenville's restaurants. We paid $15 for 24 tickets, and the tickets worked like money to get food. I had a BBQ pork sandwich for 5 tickets, and Joe had Hibachi shrimp. We also had fried ice cream, gelato, and raspberry tea. It was neat just to walk around and see more of Greenville, too.
Brenan seems to be having a growth spurt again. His 6 month sized onsies are starting to have to stretch to snap at the bottom. He's waking up twice a night again, too. I can't say that's my favorite part of him growing. It gets old really quick!This morning we couldn't get him to go back to sleep after the second time he nursed unless he was in the swing downstairs. Our monitors are at the cottage (we're at our off-duty apartment right now), so we laid out some blankets and our pillows and spent the rest of the night on the floor. It wasn't the most comfortable arrangement, but we all got to stay together and get our rest. Besides, it's kind of a fun story to tell later!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Winds of change
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| Road trip ready |
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| Snoozin' |
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| With my brother and his family |
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| Captivated cousins |
By next Friday night we'll be unloading boxes into a two bedroom apartment. And for the first time in our marriage, or really since either of us went to college, we won't have any future moves in sight. And you know what?
I'm really glad.
Friday, July 22, 2011
The [post] birth story
Don't forget to read my posts about what led up to labor and Brenan's birth!
The instant Brenan was laid on my chest is one I'll never forget, but it wasn't what I expected. I was in a state of shock and relief from the intensity of the moments before. I remember feeling the weight of his body pressing down on mine, and the ups and downs of his breathing. He was warm and still moist; his hair was matted down against his perfect little head. He didn't have the typical cone-head of a newborn... I suppose because he came out fairly quickly and was never stuck in one place for any length of time during labor.
I could feel the umbilical cord laying across my belly, still pulsing, keeping us tied together for just a few minutes longer. According to Joe and I's wishes, the umbilical cord wasn't clamped off until after it stopped pulsing. Then Joe was given the scissors to make the cut that would begin Brenan's lifelong journey of independence.
Brenan's face didn't pinken up as quickly as the doctor would have liked, so they suggested that they take him to the warmer for a quick exam. I handed him over and within a few minutes he was back in my arms. He wasn't crying when he was on my chest, but he did as soon as they took him, so it wasn't long before he got enough air for his face to have a healthy color. (This says something about where he really wanted to be!) His Apgar scores were 8 and 8... practically perfect.
The doctor nicknamed Brenan "the bruiser" because of his size. The average newborn weighs 6-9 pounds and is 19-22 inches long. Our little boy was 9 lbs 6 oz, and measured 21 inches.
Pitocin was started immediately after the birth (without my consent, but it wasn't worth it to me to make a fuss about it), but the contractions seemed so mild compared to the ones I was having minutes before. Brenan was still at the warmer when the placenta was delivered. It's pliability made it almost ignorable as it slipped out the birth canal. The doctor massaging (this is hardly the right word) my uterus with her fist however, was not so pleasant. In fact, I might even classify it as worse than labor. Ladies: if you're going to have a baby, please prepare yourself for this! When they press down to make sure your uterus is hardening and not going to cause hemorrhage, it hurts! It causes a massive contraction and you can feel the leftover fluids from birth gush out (gross, I know). Thankfully, it doesn't last long... plus you get to have your baby in your arms while you experience it, so you have a wonderful distraction to give your attention to instead.
I had a second degree tear, which the doctor said was remarkable considering Brenan's size. I didn't feel it happen, and getting stitches wasn't too bad. I had local anesthesia; although, the place the last stitch went into didn't quite get numbed all the way. So that was bad, but the pain was short-lived.
After he was returned to me from the warmer, Brenan remained on my chest for an hour or so. I'm not quite sure of the time... I was too captivated by his precious face to look at the clock. He nursed for the first time, and nuzzled against me for warmth. Joe and I stared and stared. Our little baby boy was finally here.
The nurse came back in after a while and asked if I was ready to get up and try to go to the bathroom. I was shaky and sore (not just from Brenan coming out, but the muscles in my arms and legs were exhausted, too, from tensing them as I pushed), but I made it to the bathroom okay. Sitting on the toilet was REALLY uncomfortable. It put pressure in all the places I didn't want to have pressure on. At any rate, I wasn't able to pee. The nurse moved the hospital bed out of the room and set up the double bed which came down from the wall. I wandered over and laid back down, all my energy zapped from the short walk to and from the bathroom.
Sometime around 2 o'clock we decided we were ready for Brenan to have his full newborn exam, footprinting, measuring, etc. Joe went with Brenan and the nurse to the nursery while I took a shower. I was also able to pee when I went to the bathroom this time, thank goodness! The shower felt great. My room was, for some unknown reason, around 78 degrees Fahrenheit the entire time we were there, so I was covered in sweat from labor... not to mention blood, amniotic fluid, bits of vernix, and whatever else you come into contact with during labor and delivery. I got a little shaky from standing so long, but they have a fold-down bench in the shower at the hospital, so I just sat down for a while and relaxed in the water, reflecting on everything I had been through in the past 12 hours.
I could feel the umbilical cord laying across my belly, still pulsing, keeping us tied together for just a few minutes longer. According to Joe and I's wishes, the umbilical cord wasn't clamped off until after it stopped pulsing. Then Joe was given the scissors to make the cut that would begin Brenan's lifelong journey of independence.
Brenan's face didn't pinken up as quickly as the doctor would have liked, so they suggested that they take him to the warmer for a quick exam. I handed him over and within a few minutes he was back in my arms. He wasn't crying when he was on my chest, but he did as soon as they took him, so it wasn't long before he got enough air for his face to have a healthy color. (This says something about where he really wanted to be!) His Apgar scores were 8 and 8... practically perfect.
The doctor nicknamed Brenan "the bruiser" because of his size. The average newborn weighs 6-9 pounds and is 19-22 inches long. Our little boy was 9 lbs 6 oz, and measured 21 inches.
Pitocin was started immediately after the birth (without my consent, but it wasn't worth it to me to make a fuss about it), but the contractions seemed so mild compared to the ones I was having minutes before. Brenan was still at the warmer when the placenta was delivered. It's pliability made it almost ignorable as it slipped out the birth canal. The doctor massaging (this is hardly the right word) my uterus with her fist however, was not so pleasant. In fact, I might even classify it as worse than labor. Ladies: if you're going to have a baby, please prepare yourself for this! When they press down to make sure your uterus is hardening and not going to cause hemorrhage, it hurts! It causes a massive contraction and you can feel the leftover fluids from birth gush out (gross, I know). Thankfully, it doesn't last long... plus you get to have your baby in your arms while you experience it, so you have a wonderful distraction to give your attention to instead.
I had a second degree tear, which the doctor said was remarkable considering Brenan's size. I didn't feel it happen, and getting stitches wasn't too bad. I had local anesthesia; although, the place the last stitch went into didn't quite get numbed all the way. So that was bad, but the pain was short-lived.
The nurse came back in after a while and asked if I was ready to get up and try to go to the bathroom. I was shaky and sore (not just from Brenan coming out, but the muscles in my arms and legs were exhausted, too, from tensing them as I pushed), but I made it to the bathroom okay. Sitting on the toilet was REALLY uncomfortable. It put pressure in all the places I didn't want to have pressure on. At any rate, I wasn't able to pee. The nurse moved the hospital bed out of the room and set up the double bed which came down from the wall. I wandered over and laid back down, all my energy zapped from the short walk to and from the bathroom.
Sometime around 2 o'clock we decided we were ready for Brenan to have his full newborn exam, footprinting, measuring, etc. Joe went with Brenan and the nurse to the nursery while I took a shower. I was also able to pee when I went to the bathroom this time, thank goodness! The shower felt great. My room was, for some unknown reason, around 78 degrees Fahrenheit the entire time we were there, so I was covered in sweat from labor... not to mention blood, amniotic fluid, bits of vernix, and whatever else you come into contact with during labor and delivery. I got a little shaky from standing so long, but they have a fold-down bench in the shower at the hospital, so I just sat down for a while and relaxed in the water, reflecting on everything I had been through in the past 12 hours.Birth is a wonderful experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The bond that Joe, Brenan, and I established that day has only continued to grow. We are experiencing life together... all three of us both learning and teaching as we go along.
Friday, June 24, 2011
It's a boy!
Finally, our little BOY has arrived!
...birth story is soon-to-come!
Brenan Matthew
born June 22, 2011 11:19am
9 lbs 6 oz, 21 inches
...birth story is soon-to-come!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Congrats D&T!
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| The Mr. & Mrs. |
Sunday, June 12th, Joe's sister tied the knot! We were both able to attend the wedding (Joe was a groomsman), and it was absolutely beautiful!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Congratulations, graduate!
Joe's sister, Donna, graduated from high school this past weekend. We attended the ceremony along with parents and our very soon-to-be brother-in-law, Tyler.
Donna and Tyler are getting married exactly two weeks from her graduation day - Sunday, June 12! We are all so excited about the wedding. Although, I have to say I'd really like to not be pregnant at the wedding. So... it's time for you to come out now, Baby!
Unfortunately, Baby is already showing signs of defiance and going against momma's wishes.
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| What a lovely couple |
Unfortunately, Baby is already showing signs of defiance and going against momma's wishes.
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| Proud parents |
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| Congratulations, Donna! |
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Joe's Pic[k]: Grandmas
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| October 2010 |
Baby is going to be my parents' third grandchild. My brother and sister-in-law's two girls call them "Meemaw" and "Pawpaw." So my mom (while she has made it clear that she will gladly be whatever Baby ends up calling her) is sticking with Meemaw for her grandma name this time around, too.
Joe's parents will be first-time grandparents when Baby arrives, so when we told them about our growing little one they had to decide what they want to be called. Joe's dad is sticking with the classic "Grandpa," while Joe's mom is going with the German name for grandma, "Oma."
P.S. I didn't post a "Joe's Pic[k]" post for last week until today. Click here to see it!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Dear Mel
I'm sorry that I never had the chance to meet you; attending your funeral was the closest I ever got. I have heard such fun stories about you - your laughter and loving spirit. I know that you were an amazing uncle to Joe and you would have been an amazing great uncle for our son or daughter.
Thank you so much for the person that you were. Thank you for your smile, your humor, and your creativity. We are so blessed to be able to use the crib you made for baby Joe and be reminded of you every time we put our baby down to sleep.
Love,
Jen
Thank you so much for the person that you were. Thank you for your smile, your humor, and your creativity. We are so blessed to be able to use the crib you made for baby Joe and be reminded of you every time we put our baby down to sleep.
Love,
Jen
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Congratulations, graduate!
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| Joe & I, Dad, Shannon, Mom, and Dan |
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
My birth-day
Twenty four years ago, on April 28, my mom gave birth to me. Now here I am, almost a quarter-century later, a soon-to-be momma. Someday I'm going to be in her shoes... maybe twenty four years from now... watching my son or daughter get ready for parenthood. It's going to be a long journey to get there I'm sure... there will times of joy, sorrow, laughter, and tears... but through all of it we will be family. Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Painting pickets
Joe has been working with my parents in their small home repair business since we've been back to help them out as well as make a little cash. I get to stay home and do my own work - growing Baby.
Painting pickets for the fence they're working on
The weather here has been perfect for the past few days. [Notice in the above picture Joe and Dad are both wearing hats to protect them from the sun. Unfortunately for Joe, his neck still got a little red by the end of the day.] The weather man says that a cold front should be coming through any day now, so hopefully they're able to finish their outdoor work in time!
In our "spare time," Mom and I have been working on a baby quilt. The pattern we're using is called a rag quilt. One of my American friends in Bulgaria had one for her daughter, and I mentioned it to my mom as something we should try.
The quilt is "work," but it's so much fun! I highly recommend that you try making one if you can get a hold of some flannel and a sewing machine!
Painting pickets for the fence they're working on
The weather here has been perfect for the past few days. [Notice in the above picture Joe and Dad are both wearing hats to protect them from the sun. Unfortunately for Joe, his neck still got a little red by the end of the day.] The weather man says that a cold front should be coming through any day now, so hopefully they're able to finish their outdoor work in time!
In our "spare time," Mom and I have been working on a baby quilt. The pattern we're using is called a rag quilt. One of my American friends in Bulgaria had one for her daughter, and I mentioned it to my mom as something we should try.
The quilt is "work," but it's so much fun! I highly recommend that you try making one if you can get a hold of some flannel and a sewing machine!
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