Today is the first day that my husband is back at work, which leaves me, the baby, and the dog home alone. I must admit, I was not looking forward to today at all. For almost a week, I've been dreading it. Yesterday, I cried to my husband about it. But, it came and now I'm in the midst of it. Even though I really miss my husband, Baby Girl and I have been doing just fine. She's beginning to adjust to naps in the Pack 'n Play and I'm beginning to adjust to being a mom. It really is overwhelming that this little person relies on me for absolutely everything, from food to changing diapers to any interactions to feeling safe.
She did not like Sun Time nearly as much as she does when her daddy is here. He has a huge calming influence on her and they just soak in the sun from the window. We still had Sun Time, but it just wasn't the same.
So, even though my husband was a huge help in the first 2 weeks of her life and I relied on him for so much during that time, I know we are really going to make it while he's at the office. I'm gonna be a big girl and Baby Girl, doggie, and I are going to do this!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Too Little? Too Big? Just Right!
The doctor's predicted that our little girl would be about an 8 pound baby with really long legs. (Every time my doctor saw my husband and I together, she would say, "That's going to be one long-legged baby.")
So, we prepared for an 8 pound baby girl. Most of the clothes that I have are 0-3 months summer clothes. Well, we had a 6 pound, 11 ounce baby girl with really long legs. Therefore, the 0-3 months clothes are way too big. We have a very limited amount of Newborn clothes, but she can't wear any of them if they have feet in the legs because her legs are too long and her feet are too big for those clothes.
We have some extremely cute things that she'll never get to wear or only wear once. I put these on her because they are so adorable and there was just no way that they were going to stay on her feet. The socks are simply too little.
So, we prepared for an 8 pound baby girl. Most of the clothes that I have are 0-3 months summer clothes. Well, we had a 6 pound, 11 ounce baby girl with really long legs. Therefore, the 0-3 months clothes are way too big. We have a very limited amount of Newborn clothes, but she can't wear any of them if they have feet in the legs because her legs are too long and her feet are too big for those clothes.
We have some extremely cute things that she'll never get to wear or only wear once. I put these on her because they are so adorable and there was just no way that they were going to stay on her feet. The socks are simply too little.
Our baby is too little for the 0-3 month clothes and too big for many of the Newborn items. But, I know that she's not too little or too big...she's just right!
Rites of Passage
As of last night, I have now been peed on, spit-up on, and pooped on. Any other motherhood rites of passage that I should be looking forward to?
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Delivery Story
Here's my story. Well, I guess I should say here's our daughter's story....
Tuesday evening, August 16, about 10:00 pm, I looked at my husband and said, "I have the weirdest sensation in my upper thighs." It wasn't painful. Wasn't like a cramp or my legs falling asleep or pins and needles. Just a sensation is the best way that I can explain it. We didn't think too much about it and went to bed. I was up every 1/2 hour with this "sensation" and the need to pee. So, at 12:30 am, I told my husband that I was obviously not going to be able to sleep and I didn't want to keep him up since he had to work the next day and I went downstairs to the couch.
This continued until about 2:00 am. Sometimes it was 30 minutes apart. Sometimes it was 15. Always this sensation in both upper thighs and the need to pee. I looked this up on the internet, well, attempted to look it up because I couldn't find anything about upper thigh sensations related to pregnancy. I have 2 pregnancy books and I started looking in them. Finally, in "The Mayo Guide to Pregnancy," I found one line that mentioned that contractions could take place in the upper thighs. Seriously? I had never heard of this before. I called the hospital and spoke to the ob nurse on duty and she confirmed that it sounded like I was in the early stages of labor, but that it could go for about 20 hours, so I should get some sleep or take a shower and come see the doctor when the offices opened at 8:00 am.
About 2:30 am, I went upstairs and woke up my husband to tell him that I was apparently having contractions in my upper thighs and that I was going to take a shower and then he needed to get up and help me time them. I took a long, hot shower and shaved my legs. If this was really "it," then I was going to have smooth legs. After the shower, I put lotion on my nicely-shaved legs and took my pacing husband downstairs to time the contractions.
The contractions were about 7 minutes apart and lasted 30-90 seconds. For some of them, my legs would start uncontrollably shaking before the contractions started. That was really, really weird. About 4:00 am, I called the hospital again to tell them the timing of the contractions and see what I should do. Since they were not consistent at 5 minutes apart or lasting a consisten 60 seconds, they told me that I should rest and come see the doctor when the offices opened at 8:00 am. The nurse said that I could come through the ER, but that I would see the doctor quicker if I just went to the offices that were below the hospital.
So, we continued timing and they never were consistently 5 minutes apart. I quit coming back out of the bathroom to lay to the couch since that no longer was comfortable. The only position that I could get any sense of comfort was sitting on the toilet. Between 4:30 am and 5:30 am, I stayed on the toilet and the contractions remained sporadic. At 5:30 am, I called the hospital again to tell them that I was now having bloody discharge and that the only comfortable position was the toilet. I spoke to the nurse for a while and she asked me if I had a contraction while I was on the phone with her. Yes, I had. Well, she said that since I could still talk through them and they weren't consistent, it was a good idea to come to the doctor's office at 8:00 am when they opened, but that it did sound like I was in the beginning stages of labor. She also said that walking was a good idea and that if I wasn't very dilated, then the doctor would have me walk and come back.
I had horrible visions of being one of "those" pregnant women who go to the hospital and get sent back home. At 6:00 am, I didn't care if I was going to be one of those women or not. We were going to the doctor's. From my toilet-sitting position, I gave my husband directions of the things we needed to take with us to the doctor's and we were off. The thought of sitting in the car was simply horrible, but, praise the Lord, the second position I tried was not too bad and I stayed there for the 1 1/2 hour drive to the doctor's.
We called both of our parents and told them that we were on the way to the doctor's office and that we would call them after I was examined and let them know if they needed to come.
When we got to the doctor's office, my husband told me that the contractions were about 3 minutes apart. He could tell this because of the intensity of my prayers. He said that every 3 minutes they got so much louder and more intense. I remember very little about the car ride. My eyes were closed almost the entire ride and I didn't move from the one position that was comfortable. I do remember that at one point, my husband asked how bad the contractions were and I told him that they were definitely manageable. Then, immediately, I got the most intense one that I think I had up to that point. I grabbed the door handle and quoted the Bible, how I am redeemed from the curse of the law and how Jesus went to the cross and took the curse for me so that I may receive the blessings of Abraham. Thank the Lord that I only had one intense contraction like that on the way to the doctor's office.
We arrived at the doctor's at 8:15 am and checked in. The only question they asked us was if my water had broken. No, it hadn't. As I was standing in the waiting room, I turned around and my mom was there. She hadn't waited for us to call her after the exam. She just came straight to the doctor's. I think she may have beat us to the office. They immediately called me in to the exam room and told me to get undressed and sit and wait for my secondary doctor to come examine me. (My doctor was in the middle of surgery.) Ummm, no, thank you. I refused to sit down. As I stood there, waiting for the doctor to come, I held onto the sink and beat my head against the cabinet above it, wondering where in the world the doctor was. Then, I felt a huge gush go down my leg. I sent my husband out of the room to go tell a nurse that my water broke. She came into the room and gave me a towel. While I was trying to clean up, the doctor came in. He saw that I was cleaning myself and so he turned around a walked out. When I found out that he went to another patient, I couldn't believe it. My water just broke and he was making me wait even longer!
About 9:15 am, the doctor came into the room and examined me. He told me that I needed to sit down. No, thank you. I was not going to sit down. It was not going to happen. He informed me that he couldn't examine me unless I got on the table. Finally, I said, "You just need me to lay down, right? You don't need me to sit down." He confirmed that was correct, so I stood in front of the table with my back to it and literally fell back so that I was laying on the exam table. When he examined me, his eyes got as huge as saucers and he said, "You are having this baby! No wonder you don't want to sit down."
"Is it too late for an epidural?" I asked.
"Yes. We have to get you to the delivery room immediately. You are having this baby! Nurse, get a wheelchair and get her upstairs immediately. There's no time for you to put on your clothes, we'll just get blankets to cover you."
So, they took off with me in the wheelchair, going the back way to the delivery room, taking corners on 2 wheels. My husband went to the waiting room and sent my mom with me while he went to register me in the hospital.
When I got to the delivery room, the nurse there examined me and told me that I was ready to have this baby.
"Is it too late for an epidural?" I asked.
"Yes, you are at 10 centimeters."
"Are you sure that it's too late for an epidural?"
"Yes. It's too late."
When my husband got to the delivery floor, my primary doctor was sitting at the nurses station with her feet up, reading the newspaper. He thought for sure that he had missed the delivery. No, we were still waiting for everything to happen.
About 2 hours after my initial exam by the doctor, I had the uncontrollable urge to push. Grabbed my legs, 3 counts of ten. Pushing hard. Next contraction, grabbed my legs, 4 counts of ten. What? I expended all of my energy on the 3rd count. My mom says, "pant like a puppy." What? My hands started slipping because my legs were slimmey from the lotion I had put on them that morning. My husband was standing at my shoulders and my mom was sitting in a chair with her head in her hands. The nurse was at my feet. I can't believe that I put so much lotion on my legs. This would be easier if they were dry.
I look at the nurse and say, "I don't want to do this any more." (At least, my mom tells me that I said this very matter-of-factly.)
The nurse asks me if I brought bows because the baby has a full head of dark hair. Apparently, she didn't care that I decided I didn't want to do this any more.
2 more pushing contractions and my doctor comes in the room. This huge light comes down from the ceiling. My doctor puts on scrubs. 4 more counts of 10. Baby Girl is born! The doctor asks my husband if he wants to cut the umbilical cord. No, he doesn't. She asks me. No, I don't. She asks mom. No, she doesn't. The nurse cuts it. They whisk our girl to the big bassinet with lights on it that is in the delivery room. Congratulations all around. She is born August 17, 2011, at 12:11 pm.
They take my baby to the nursery. I want to go see her. No, I can't because I'm still bleeding too much. My husband stays with me. My mom goes with the baby. The nurse is worried about all the blood. She keeps pushing hard on my abdomen and more and more blood comes out. I didn't get an IV for pain medicine, so they can't put blood clotting medicine in the IV. Three nurses try to get an IV in my hands and arms, but it just won't work correctly. I get a shot of medicine for clotting. The nurse still pushes on my abdomen. Hard. Finally, after a few hours of her pushing every 30 minutes or so, the membrane from the water sac comes out and the bleeding subsides.
They bring my baby back from the nursery. She is perfect. We start getting to know each other. Thank God for our perfect baby girl. She is definitely an answer to our prayers.
God has been so good to us throughout this entire adventure. We had a great team of healthcare professionals caring for us. Contractions were not nearly as horrible as many people have described. The delivery process was doable. Recovery has been fairly easy. Most importantly, He has given us a perfect little girl.
Tuesday evening, August 16, about 10:00 pm, I looked at my husband and said, "I have the weirdest sensation in my upper thighs." It wasn't painful. Wasn't like a cramp or my legs falling asleep or pins and needles. Just a sensation is the best way that I can explain it. We didn't think too much about it and went to bed. I was up every 1/2 hour with this "sensation" and the need to pee. So, at 12:30 am, I told my husband that I was obviously not going to be able to sleep and I didn't want to keep him up since he had to work the next day and I went downstairs to the couch.
This continued until about 2:00 am. Sometimes it was 30 minutes apart. Sometimes it was 15. Always this sensation in both upper thighs and the need to pee. I looked this up on the internet, well, attempted to look it up because I couldn't find anything about upper thigh sensations related to pregnancy. I have 2 pregnancy books and I started looking in them. Finally, in "The Mayo Guide to Pregnancy," I found one line that mentioned that contractions could take place in the upper thighs. Seriously? I had never heard of this before. I called the hospital and spoke to the ob nurse on duty and she confirmed that it sounded like I was in the early stages of labor, but that it could go for about 20 hours, so I should get some sleep or take a shower and come see the doctor when the offices opened at 8:00 am.
About 2:30 am, I went upstairs and woke up my husband to tell him that I was apparently having contractions in my upper thighs and that I was going to take a shower and then he needed to get up and help me time them. I took a long, hot shower and shaved my legs. If this was really "it," then I was going to have smooth legs. After the shower, I put lotion on my nicely-shaved legs and took my pacing husband downstairs to time the contractions.
The contractions were about 7 minutes apart and lasted 30-90 seconds. For some of them, my legs would start uncontrollably shaking before the contractions started. That was really, really weird. About 4:00 am, I called the hospital again to tell them the timing of the contractions and see what I should do. Since they were not consistent at 5 minutes apart or lasting a consisten 60 seconds, they told me that I should rest and come see the doctor when the offices opened at 8:00 am. The nurse said that I could come through the ER, but that I would see the doctor quicker if I just went to the offices that were below the hospital.
So, we continued timing and they never were consistently 5 minutes apart. I quit coming back out of the bathroom to lay to the couch since that no longer was comfortable. The only position that I could get any sense of comfort was sitting on the toilet. Between 4:30 am and 5:30 am, I stayed on the toilet and the contractions remained sporadic. At 5:30 am, I called the hospital again to tell them that I was now having bloody discharge and that the only comfortable position was the toilet. I spoke to the nurse for a while and she asked me if I had a contraction while I was on the phone with her. Yes, I had. Well, she said that since I could still talk through them and they weren't consistent, it was a good idea to come to the doctor's office at 8:00 am when they opened, but that it did sound like I was in the beginning stages of labor. She also said that walking was a good idea and that if I wasn't very dilated, then the doctor would have me walk and come back.
I had horrible visions of being one of "those" pregnant women who go to the hospital and get sent back home. At 6:00 am, I didn't care if I was going to be one of those women or not. We were going to the doctor's. From my toilet-sitting position, I gave my husband directions of the things we needed to take with us to the doctor's and we were off. The thought of sitting in the car was simply horrible, but, praise the Lord, the second position I tried was not too bad and I stayed there for the 1 1/2 hour drive to the doctor's.
We called both of our parents and told them that we were on the way to the doctor's office and that we would call them after I was examined and let them know if they needed to come.
When we got to the doctor's office, my husband told me that the contractions were about 3 minutes apart. He could tell this because of the intensity of my prayers. He said that every 3 minutes they got so much louder and more intense. I remember very little about the car ride. My eyes were closed almost the entire ride and I didn't move from the one position that was comfortable. I do remember that at one point, my husband asked how bad the contractions were and I told him that they were definitely manageable. Then, immediately, I got the most intense one that I think I had up to that point. I grabbed the door handle and quoted the Bible, how I am redeemed from the curse of the law and how Jesus went to the cross and took the curse for me so that I may receive the blessings of Abraham. Thank the Lord that I only had one intense contraction like that on the way to the doctor's office.
We arrived at the doctor's at 8:15 am and checked in. The only question they asked us was if my water had broken. No, it hadn't. As I was standing in the waiting room, I turned around and my mom was there. She hadn't waited for us to call her after the exam. She just came straight to the doctor's. I think she may have beat us to the office. They immediately called me in to the exam room and told me to get undressed and sit and wait for my secondary doctor to come examine me. (My doctor was in the middle of surgery.) Ummm, no, thank you. I refused to sit down. As I stood there, waiting for the doctor to come, I held onto the sink and beat my head against the cabinet above it, wondering where in the world the doctor was. Then, I felt a huge gush go down my leg. I sent my husband out of the room to go tell a nurse that my water broke. She came into the room and gave me a towel. While I was trying to clean up, the doctor came in. He saw that I was cleaning myself and so he turned around a walked out. When I found out that he went to another patient, I couldn't believe it. My water just broke and he was making me wait even longer!
About 9:15 am, the doctor came into the room and examined me. He told me that I needed to sit down. No, thank you. I was not going to sit down. It was not going to happen. He informed me that he couldn't examine me unless I got on the table. Finally, I said, "You just need me to lay down, right? You don't need me to sit down." He confirmed that was correct, so I stood in front of the table with my back to it and literally fell back so that I was laying on the exam table. When he examined me, his eyes got as huge as saucers and he said, "You are having this baby! No wonder you don't want to sit down."
"Is it too late for an epidural?" I asked.
"Yes. We have to get you to the delivery room immediately. You are having this baby! Nurse, get a wheelchair and get her upstairs immediately. There's no time for you to put on your clothes, we'll just get blankets to cover you."
So, they took off with me in the wheelchair, going the back way to the delivery room, taking corners on 2 wheels. My husband went to the waiting room and sent my mom with me while he went to register me in the hospital.
When I got to the delivery room, the nurse there examined me and told me that I was ready to have this baby.
"Is it too late for an epidural?" I asked.
"Yes, you are at 10 centimeters."
"Are you sure that it's too late for an epidural?"
"Yes. It's too late."
When my husband got to the delivery floor, my primary doctor was sitting at the nurses station with her feet up, reading the newspaper. He thought for sure that he had missed the delivery. No, we were still waiting for everything to happen.
About 2 hours after my initial exam by the doctor, I had the uncontrollable urge to push. Grabbed my legs, 3 counts of ten. Pushing hard. Next contraction, grabbed my legs, 4 counts of ten. What? I expended all of my energy on the 3rd count. My mom says, "pant like a puppy." What? My hands started slipping because my legs were slimmey from the lotion I had put on them that morning. My husband was standing at my shoulders and my mom was sitting in a chair with her head in her hands. The nurse was at my feet. I can't believe that I put so much lotion on my legs. This would be easier if they were dry.
I look at the nurse and say, "I don't want to do this any more." (At least, my mom tells me that I said this very matter-of-factly.)
The nurse asks me if I brought bows because the baby has a full head of dark hair. Apparently, she didn't care that I decided I didn't want to do this any more.
2 more pushing contractions and my doctor comes in the room. This huge light comes down from the ceiling. My doctor puts on scrubs. 4 more counts of 10. Baby Girl is born! The doctor asks my husband if he wants to cut the umbilical cord. No, he doesn't. She asks me. No, I don't. She asks mom. No, she doesn't. The nurse cuts it. They whisk our girl to the big bassinet with lights on it that is in the delivery room. Congratulations all around. She is born August 17, 2011, at 12:11 pm.
They take my baby to the nursery. I want to go see her. No, I can't because I'm still bleeding too much. My husband stays with me. My mom goes with the baby. The nurse is worried about all the blood. She keeps pushing hard on my abdomen and more and more blood comes out. I didn't get an IV for pain medicine, so they can't put blood clotting medicine in the IV. Three nurses try to get an IV in my hands and arms, but it just won't work correctly. I get a shot of medicine for clotting. The nurse still pushes on my abdomen. Hard. Finally, after a few hours of her pushing every 30 minutes or so, the membrane from the water sac comes out and the bleeding subsides.
They bring my baby back from the nursery. She is perfect. We start getting to know each other. Thank God for our perfect baby girl. She is definitely an answer to our prayers.
God has been so good to us throughout this entire adventure. We had a great team of healthcare professionals caring for us. Contractions were not nearly as horrible as many people have described. The delivery process was doable. Recovery has been fairly easy. Most importantly, He has given us a perfect little girl.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Unfinished Projects
Apparently, I don't like to handstitch projects. Or do finishing touches. I have the following unfinished projects sitting around the living room...
They all just need a little time to be completed. The elephant and birdie rattle need eyes stitched on them. The monkey pillow, birdie, and little tabbed square just need to be handstitched closed. Plus, a bow on the elephant and they are all finished!
Right now, I have time to finish these before the baby arrives. Now, just to get motivated to do these finishing touches....
They all just need a little time to be completed. The elephant and birdie rattle need eyes stitched on them. The monkey pillow, birdie, and little tabbed square just need to be handstitched closed. Plus, a bow on the elephant and they are all finished!
Right now, I have time to finish these before the baby arrives. Now, just to get motivated to do these finishing touches....
Monday, August 15, 2011
Is This Your First?
It seems like a simple-enough question. One that most people who are mere acquaintances or who I have just met ask me very frequently. How can a simple question have such a complex answer?
Is this your first? I know they are asking is this your first baby. But, the answer is not so simple, especially since I don't like to share intimate details of my life with strangers or even the average acquaintance.
When I get this question, there are so many things that go through my mind:
- Is this your first pregnancy? No
- Is this the first time you have planned for a baby, bought baby clothes, decorated a nursery? No
- Is this the first time you have dreamed about what your baby girl is going to look like and what her personality will be? No
- Is this the first time you have picked out a name for your baby? No
However, I simply answer "Yes." I know it's a lie. I know I shouldn't lie. Yet, I still do. I don't want to go into details. I don't want to have to answer any more questions. I just want to get out of the conversation and move on. I just want to walk away from whoever I'm talking to. So, I lie. With one word, I lie and then think about the lie. Think about all the things that this is not the first for. Yet, this is my first baby that I will be bringing home from the hospital and dressing and playing with and raising and enjoying. I guess, in a sense, this is my first. But, yet, she isn't....
Is this your first? I know they are asking is this your first baby. But, the answer is not so simple, especially since I don't like to share intimate details of my life with strangers or even the average acquaintance.
When I get this question, there are so many things that go through my mind:
- Is this your first pregnancy? No
- Is this the first time you have planned for a baby, bought baby clothes, decorated a nursery? No
- Is this the first time you have dreamed about what your baby girl is going to look like and what her personality will be? No
- Is this the first time you have picked out a name for your baby? No
However, I simply answer "Yes." I know it's a lie. I know I shouldn't lie. Yet, I still do. I don't want to go into details. I don't want to have to answer any more questions. I just want to get out of the conversation and move on. I just want to walk away from whoever I'm talking to. So, I lie. With one word, I lie and then think about the lie. Think about all the things that this is not the first for. Yet, this is my first baby that I will be bringing home from the hospital and dressing and playing with and raising and enjoying. I guess, in a sense, this is my first. But, yet, she isn't....
Sunday, August 14, 2011
39 Weeks
This week, I wasn't going to take a picture because I'm so tired. I said to my husband, "I don't want to take my picture. I look horrible." His response was "You look 39 weeks pregnant." Gee, thanks.
My Portrait
One of my favorite little girls drew this picture of me.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Hot Pepper Jelly
One of my husband's co-workers gave us a bag-full of green peppers from her garden. So, I decided to make some hot pepper jelly.
Allrecipes.com had this recipe that I found: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hot-pepper-jelly/detail.aspx
I didn't have any red bell peppers, only green. The jelly is a really ugly green color. Maybe next time I'll put a couple of drops of food coloring in the mixture to make it prettier. All of the bits of peppers were floating to the top so I inverted the jars in hopes that the bits will spread throughout the jelly.
Now, I just have to decide what to do with it....the only thing everyone tells me is to eat it with cream cheese on crackers. That's a lot of cream cheese!
Allrecipes.com had this recipe that I found: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hot-pepper-jelly/detail.aspx
I didn't have any red bell peppers, only green. The jelly is a really ugly green color. Maybe next time I'll put a couple of drops of food coloring in the mixture to make it prettier. All of the bits of peppers were floating to the top so I inverted the jars in hopes that the bits will spread throughout the jelly.
Now, I just have to decide what to do with it....the only thing everyone tells me is to eat it with cream cheese on crackers. That's a lot of cream cheese!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Cupcakes, Cookies, Oh My!
Today was my 39 week doctor's appointment. Nothing has changed since last week. No major progress. She didn't say, "OK, let's check you into the hospital because this baby is coming now." (Even though that's what I wanted to hear!) But, she did tell me that the end was in sight. Yeah! Just a few more days until I have my baby girl!!!!
The doctor also asked me if I have a list of things that I'm going to eat once I have the baby and am off this diet. Of course I do! They all contain carbs or sugar. The State Fair is currently taking place across the street from the hospital. Funnel cakes are on the top of the list!
In celebration of knowing that I'm almost off my diet, I bought this cookbook...
Should I start at the beginning and work my way through each and every recipe? Or, should I just pick and choose what looks the best to make first? I'm thinking these will be made pretty soon...
Of course, my husband has also had to change his eating habits while I've been on this diet. So, I may make these for him since biscotti is one of his favorites...
In any case, I'm sure that what I make is going to be good and is going to be sweet!
The doctor also asked me if I have a list of things that I'm going to eat once I have the baby and am off this diet. Of course I do! They all contain carbs or sugar. The State Fair is currently taking place across the street from the hospital. Funnel cakes are on the top of the list!
In celebration of knowing that I'm almost off my diet, I bought this cookbook...
Should I start at the beginning and work my way through each and every recipe? Or, should I just pick and choose what looks the best to make first? I'm thinking these will be made pretty soon...
Of course, my husband has also had to change his eating habits while I've been on this diet. So, I may make these for him since biscotti is one of his favorites...
In any case, I'm sure that what I make is going to be good and is going to be sweet!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Diaper Bag
The baby's hospital bag is officially packed!
My girlfriend posted this great list of diaper bag contents (http://urbanflowerpot.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-07-06T02%3A18%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=35), which I was able to easily modify. She lives in the city and I live in the country, so there were a few changes that I thought I needed to make. But, for the most part, this is what is included in my diaper bag!
What I'm most excited about is the blanket. I have started a blanket for our baby girl, but I wanted a few special touches put on it, so my mom is helping me. It's not finished yet, so I needed a different blanket to use to bring her home from the hospital.
My mom found my blankie from when I was a baby....
As soon as I saw it, I remembered it! Mom didn't even have to tell me what it was. I loved it! My cousin made it for me and it still looks wonderful. She embroidered a variety of animals on it.
So, our baby girl is going to be able to come home in my favorite blankie from when I was a little girl. How precious!
My girlfriend posted this great list of diaper bag contents (http://urbanflowerpot.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-07-06T02%3A18%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=35), which I was able to easily modify. She lives in the city and I live in the country, so there were a few changes that I thought I needed to make. But, for the most part, this is what is included in my diaper bag!
What I'm most excited about is the blanket. I have started a blanket for our baby girl, but I wanted a few special touches put on it, so my mom is helping me. It's not finished yet, so I needed a different blanket to use to bring her home from the hospital.
My mom found my blankie from when I was a baby....
As soon as I saw it, I remembered it! Mom didn't even have to tell me what it was. I loved it! My cousin made it for me and it still looks wonderful. She embroidered a variety of animals on it.
So, our baby girl is going to be able to come home in my favorite blankie from when I was a little girl. How precious!
I Can-Can
Last night, I was talking to my bff who informed me that of all of the domestic things I have begun, canning is definitely the one that surprised her the most. Last year, I helped my mom do some canning and this year I decided to try it on my own.
So far, this year, I have canned:
- Green Beans
- Garlic Cucumber Pickles
- Salsa
- Hot Dog/Banana Pepper Mixture
- Zucchini Pickles
Also, I've decided that I'm going to make some of my own baby food, so I've canned green beans and peaches for our baby. With these, I've used pint jars and not added any salt or other perservatives. Only water with the fruit/vegetables. I found this blog that has great homemade baby food information: http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/homemade-baby-food-recipes-blog.html
Since I'm a novice, my learning curve has been extremely fast in the canning area and I've learned quite a bit:
1. For green beans, always put the recommended amount of salt in your jars because if you don't, you will never be able to salt them enough to be edible.
2. Even if you pack your jars with the raw vegetables/fruits as tight as possible, when you process them, the jars will have contents will shrink and there will be quite a bit of water in bottom of the jars.
3. Use the vinegar/salt mixture for the peaches or they will turn a horrible shade of brown.
4. Many things can be canned in a hot water bath rather than processed in a canner. (ie, pickles, salsa, etc) Green beans are not one of these!
Something else that I've learned is that freezing fruits and vegetables may be easier, quicker, and just as effective as canning.
If you flash freeze (put slices on cookie sheet and freeze for 30 minutes before putting in ziploc bags to freeze) zucchini, squash, and banana peppers, then they won't stick together or become squishy in the freezer. Tomatoes are great to freeze and then use in soups or sauces. Green beans are not nearly as good frozen as they are canned. They just don't cook right.
Corn is something that I simply will not can. Too much work. As this website explains, canning corn is "not for the faint of heart." http://www.ochef.com/1169.htm
My mother-in-law taught me how to freeze ears of corn, which is so much easier. She barely opens up the top of the stalk to see if there are any bugs. If so, cut out that portion. Then, take a twisty and tie back the stalk. Then, put the ear in a plastic store bag and freeze (I froze 4 at a time so we can just pull out the bag). When you cook the corn, just take it straight out of the freezer, shuck it, and cook in boiling water as usual. Note that this doesn't work if you cook corn in the microwave.
I've also discovered that I can make the fruit mixture of cobblers and freeze them. Then, when I'm ready to make the cobbler, just take the fruit mixture out of the freezer, defrost, heat on stove, and make cobbler as usual. Super yummy and the hard work is already done while the fruit is still fresh.
On agenda for today...peaches, peaches, and more peaches.
So far, this year, I have canned:
- Green Beans
- Garlic Cucumber Pickles
- Salsa
- Hot Dog/Banana Pepper Mixture
- Zucchini Pickles
Also, I've decided that I'm going to make some of my own baby food, so I've canned green beans and peaches for our baby. With these, I've used pint jars and not added any salt or other perservatives. Only water with the fruit/vegetables. I found this blog that has great homemade baby food information: http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/homemade-baby-food-recipes-blog.html
Since I'm a novice, my learning curve has been extremely fast in the canning area and I've learned quite a bit:
1. For green beans, always put the recommended amount of salt in your jars because if you don't, you will never be able to salt them enough to be edible.
2. Even if you pack your jars with the raw vegetables/fruits as tight as possible, when you process them, the jars will have contents will shrink and there will be quite a bit of water in bottom of the jars.
3. Use the vinegar/salt mixture for the peaches or they will turn a horrible shade of brown.
4. Many things can be canned in a hot water bath rather than processed in a canner. (ie, pickles, salsa, etc) Green beans are not one of these!
Something else that I've learned is that freezing fruits and vegetables may be easier, quicker, and just as effective as canning.
If you flash freeze (put slices on cookie sheet and freeze for 30 minutes before putting in ziploc bags to freeze) zucchini, squash, and banana peppers, then they won't stick together or become squishy in the freezer. Tomatoes are great to freeze and then use in soups or sauces. Green beans are not nearly as good frozen as they are canned. They just don't cook right.
Corn is something that I simply will not can. Too much work. As this website explains, canning corn is "not for the faint of heart." http://www.ochef.com/1169.htm
My mother-in-law taught me how to freeze ears of corn, which is so much easier. She barely opens up the top of the stalk to see if there are any bugs. If so, cut out that portion. Then, take a twisty and tie back the stalk. Then, put the ear in a plastic store bag and freeze (I froze 4 at a time so we can just pull out the bag). When you cook the corn, just take it straight out of the freezer, shuck it, and cook in boiling water as usual. Note that this doesn't work if you cook corn in the microwave.
I've also discovered that I can make the fruit mixture of cobblers and freeze them. Then, when I'm ready to make the cobbler, just take the fruit mixture out of the freezer, defrost, heat on stove, and make cobbler as usual. Super yummy and the hard work is already done while the fruit is still fresh.
On agenda for today...peaches, peaches, and more peaches.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Who Is the Real Me?
With all of these changes that are taking place in my life, I've been asking myself, "Who is the real me?"
Am I the business woman who lived in New Jersey and worked extreme hours to get ahead in the corporate world?
Am I the girl who loves to have her hair in a poney tail and play?
Am I the wife who loves her husband with all that she is and would do anything for him?
Am I the person who decided to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and move to a farm?
Am I the nerd who insists on things being balanced and just right?
Am I the analytical person who has taken up sewing as a creative outlet?
Am I the cook who likes to try new recipes and loves to discover new tastes?
I guess the real me is a combination of all of the above and so much more. Lately, I've been feeling like I was either fake when I lived in New Jersey or I am fake now because these two people are simply unrecognizable as one. The things that were important to me then seem to have taken such a back seat in my life now and don't seem to be nearly as vital. Now, I'm very happy wearing my newly sewn apron, cooking every day meals, and waiting on my little girl to arrive. No fake nails, hair it's natural color, minimal jewelry, little make-up, no heels, no power suits.
Apparently, different seasons of life bring out different parts of me.
Barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen...and I'm super happy!
(I guess a little of the Jersey me is still hanging on because I do have a very nice pedicure on these barefoot toes!)
Am I the business woman who lived in New Jersey and worked extreme hours to get ahead in the corporate world?
Am I the girl who loves to have her hair in a poney tail and play?
Am I the wife who loves her husband with all that she is and would do anything for him?
Am I the person who decided to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and move to a farm?
Am I the nerd who insists on things being balanced and just right?
Am I the analytical person who has taken up sewing as a creative outlet?
Am I the cook who likes to try new recipes and loves to discover new tastes?
I guess the real me is a combination of all of the above and so much more. Lately, I've been feeling like I was either fake when I lived in New Jersey or I am fake now because these two people are simply unrecognizable as one. The things that were important to me then seem to have taken such a back seat in my life now and don't seem to be nearly as vital. Now, I'm very happy wearing my newly sewn apron, cooking every day meals, and waiting on my little girl to arrive. No fake nails, hair it's natural color, minimal jewelry, little make-up, no heels, no power suits.
Apparently, different seasons of life bring out different parts of me.
Barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen...and I'm super happy!
(I guess a little of the Jersey me is still hanging on because I do have a very nice pedicure on these barefoot toes!)
Handmade Presents for Me!
As I mentioned previously, I love handmade gifts. I think they are so precious and so much more thoughtful than store-bought gifts. As is the saying, you'll reap what you sow. Well, lately, I have been reaping some wonderful handmade gifts.
One of my friends gave me these adorable coasters. She did such a good job of picking out colors that go with my taste even though she has never seen my house. Her attention to detail definitely shows that so much love and time were put into creating these.
A friend also gave me this absolutely beautiful blanket for our baby girl. I love the colors and patterns. I'm sure our little girl will love it!
I am so thankful for these presents and for the ladies who made them!
One of my friends gave me these adorable coasters. She did such a good job of picking out colors that go with my taste even though she has never seen my house. Her attention to detail definitely shows that so much love and time were put into creating these.
A friend also gave me this absolutely beautiful blanket for our baby girl. I love the colors and patterns. I'm sure our little girl will love it!
I am so thankful for these presents and for the ladies who made them!
38 Weeks
We took this picture in the nursery with my new picture frames hung. I'm excited to fill them up!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Thanks, Mom!
My mom is a cleaner. I am not. It's nice to have a clean house, but the time and effort to make a house spotless just doesn't seem like it is worth it to me. Houses that don't look lived in seem so uncomfortable to me. I'm not saying that I live in a pig sty or like dirt. I just don't mind a little clutter here and there.
Getting ready for our baby to arrive, I've wondered when my nesting insticts were going to kick in. When was I going to just have to clean things and make sure that there was not a spec of dust anywhere the baby was going to be? Well, that hasn't happened...at least not for me. My mom, on the other hand, has become a cleaning powerhouse. She came over and helped me clean the house, including cleaning the carpets. From top to bottom. This is the cleanest I think my house has ever been.
Thanks, Mom!
Getting ready for our baby to arrive, I've wondered when my nesting insticts were going to kick in. When was I going to just have to clean things and make sure that there was not a spec of dust anywhere the baby was going to be? Well, that hasn't happened...at least not for me. My mom, on the other hand, has become a cleaning powerhouse. She came over and helped me clean the house, including cleaning the carpets. From top to bottom. This is the cleanest I think my house has ever been.
Thanks, Mom!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Full-term, Full-duration
My prayer this pregnancy is that this baby girl will be whole, healed, and perfect. Also, that she will be full-term and full-duration. Well, Praise the Lord, we have reached 37 weeks, which is officially full-term!
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