A Birth Story...5 Months later

Has it been 5 months that I delivered this angelic bundle of sheer delight?

Yes, it has.

With Sydney, my epidural was given too late and didn't take till after delivery. I felt everything and when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING.

I wasn't making the same mistake twice, 'cause my mama didn't raise no dummy. So, for posterity's sake, here is Christa Kay's story...every gory detail.

Syd came 5 weeks early. Christa Kay was fully baked. I carried her nearly 39 weeks and my body was about to go kaput.

In my mind, I was ready to delivery CK in early September, late August, mid-June...somewhere along those lines, but I knew that a hot, summer-time, full 9 month, pregnancy was before me. I was doing well and did not have as many complications as with Syd. My blood pressure was beginning to creep up along with my swelling, so things were getting a little uncomfortable in late August.

We moved into our new home on a warm 115 degree day in late August with my belly swollen out like a tractor inner tube. Nobody let me pick up anything, which, I happily obliged.

After a 24 hour protein test on October 3 that came back "high" on October 4th, my sweet doctor called at 8:30 that morning and said, "It's GO time! Come to the hospital!"

Well, you didn't have to tell me twice. I jumped in the shower, shaved my legs (I think those were my legs cause I couldn't see 'em), blow-dried my hair, threw on a moo moo dress, and hit the road. I was happier than a pig in a mud wallow, and looked like one too. I was evicting this tummy tenant!

On the way to the hospital, Chris and I chatted happily about everything under the sun. About 10 minutes away from the hospital at approximately 11:15 a.m., I looked at him and said, "I'm gonna be sick." At 11:16, I was sick...in the car...and Chris nearly joined me. Well, that was weird.

We checked into the hospital at 11:30. They started my Si-Tech (sp?) at 12:00 for the induction.

My mom arrived around 12:30 wanting to know when the baby was gonna get here. My hubs told her, "Who knows? Could be tomorrow or late tomorrow night."

At 1:30, both my mom and hubs got bored sitting around my room watching me look at the ceiling and went out for lunch. At 1:55, I heard the AUDIBLE sound of my water breaking and thought, "Somebody sure is clumsy out in the hall." Uh, the popping sound was not a nurse dropping something in the hallway, that's for sure.

At 2:00, a nurse checked on me and said, "You need something for pain, 'cause we're watching your monitors and you're having some pretty good contractions." I said, "Uh, not really...I'm cool."

At 2:30, my mom and hubs decided to come back to the hospital after eating and shopping (respectively) and I informed them my water had broken. My nurse then came to check me and said if I was gonna do an epidural, now was the time. I said,"Hook me up, sista," without hesitation.

After the epi, I was ready to sing show tunes and run a marathon. I was still feeling pretty good and was ready for action.

So, for the next hour or so, labor was uneventful (at least for me) and around 5:00, my doc slid in there at the nick of time, caught Christa Kay, and she came out hollering and ready for her mama.

There was nothing to it. I was shocked. So, THIS is the glory of an epidural that actually works. Wowza.

Christa Kay arrived healthy, pink, screaming, and ready to eat. It was just like the movies...they laid her on my chest immediately after delivery, her squinty eyes seeing the bright lights of this world for the first time, my husband by my side, my mom and dear friend Kay watching nearby. Yes, it could not have been more wonderful.

Sydney came out blue and struggling. I did not get to see her until several hours after her birth. Her Apgar scores were horrendous. It was scary.

Christa Kay has been a wonderfully easy baby. She is happy 98.9% of the time, coos, smiles, giggles, and laughs. She eats well, sleeps well, and adapts to new situations.

She and her sister are as different as daylight and dark. But, they are both my sweeties, and I wouldn't trade 'em for the world.

Happy 5 Month Birthday, CK!

Horses & Bubble Gum: Thou Shalt Not Steal

Well, it's time to get back on my blogging wagon. I've said that before and promptly fell back off, but I am determined this time to continue to document this roller coaster ride I fondly refer to as my life. I started this blog in early 2009 and plan to continue it until I get bored or my husband takes away my laptop.

Things are BEGINNING to slow down around here...what with a new baby, new house, new viewpoint, and new career as a stay at home mom, it has taken some adjusting.

 

Christa is nearly 5 months old now. She is the happiest little shorty I know of....but she occasionally will throw a wall-eyed temper tantrum to the amazement of her parents. She has been sleeping through the night since she was 6 weeks old and began eating "REAL" food on her 4 month birthday. One bite, and she was sold. She gave me an incredulous look as if to say, "Where you been hidin' this stuff sista?'

 

She smiles, coos, sings, recognizes familiar faces, army crawls, rocks on all fours, sits up and laughs hysterically when you tickle her tiny armpits. She thinks her sister is da bom dot com and is constantly entertained by her antics.

 

Sydney is a fresh-faced 4 yr old who is thick in her 2nd year of Pre-K. She knows all of her letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and a laundry list of site words. She says some of the most cornpone things that I document them constantly on Facebook. I plan on compiling her thoughts in a book one day entitled, "What Syd Says."

While we are on the subject of Syd, let's travel back in time to last Tuesday of this week. When Miss Muffet came home from school, we unpacked her backpack as per our usual routine. We found a surprise guest in the backpack last week in the shape of a "Barbie-sized" plastic horse. I knew immediately it did not belong to her. The following conversation began:

M: What is this?
S: Uh, it's a horse.
M: I know it is a horse, but what it is doing in your backpack?
S: I put it there.
M: Why?
S: I wanted it.
M: Where did it come from?
S: School.
M: Who does it belong to?
S: My teacher.
M: WHY did you take it?
S: I WANTED IT!

I took a deep breath and walked away for a moment. Well, here we go....my child is Al Capone & Bonnie Parker wrapped up into one.

"Hand over the horse and nobody gets hurt."

When I was about 8 years old, I was in Wal-Mart with my mom doing some minor shopping...this was back when Wal-Mart was not "super" and brown was it's signature color. This was also the time when the corn dog & lemonade stand was in full action in front of Wal-Mart and the pony in front worked like a charm...anyway...

I saw a string of gum balls. They were individually wrapped and in a long strand in the candy section. Ever so discreetly, I snapped a gum ball off the bottom of the strand, popped it into my mouth, and went along my merry way.

Later, my chawing jaws got me into serious trouble. My mother asked where the wad of gum came from and I responded just like Sydney.

M: Where did you get that gum?
R: The store.
M: Did you pay for it?
R: No.
M: Did you take it?
R: Yes.
M: WHY?
R: CAUSE I WANTED IT!

My punishment was one I still remember vividly to this day. She took me home and we raided my "piggy bank." I was quickly informed that I would be purchasing the ENTIRE strand of gum that I botched up. Well, that was fine with me. Gum is awesome.

Upon returning to the store, I quickly found the strand that was one gum ball short. Purchased it with a smile (had just enough money) and went along my merry way. When mom and I pulled into the apartment complex, she stopped the car next to to the dumpster. I looked at her like she had lost her ever loving mind.

I asked, "What are we doing?"
She replied, "Throw it away."
In sheer horror I responded, "WHAT?!"
"Throw it away. NOW."

I threw the entire beloved strand of about 25 pieces of gum away in the trash can. I was horrified. What a WASTE of money! That was my money.

She said, "When you choose to steal you only hurt yourself. That gum was not yours to take. Someone who would have bought that strand would have had one piece missing because of YOU. Never steal anything and NEVER forget what you had to do today."

Guess what? I never forgot that lesson. It made such a HUGE impact on me that to this day, I cannot even take as much as a paper clip from the desk at work. It bothers the supreme fire out of me. If it ain't mine, I ain't touching it.

I bet you're wondering what happened with the Syd. Let's just say I wanted to make the same impact on her.

Her DADDY took her to school. She had to apologize to her teacher. Return Achan's horse, AND, pay restitution in the form of a toy from her own personal toy box that was donated to the school.

Harsh? Nope. I hope she NEVER forgets this lesson about stealing. Will she mess up again? You betcha, and probably before the sun goes down today. But, I believe firmly in raising up a child in the way they should go, because when they're old, they will blog about the wonderful lesson they learned...AND NEVER depart from it.

Dr. "Hugs" a Lot!

Took Christa Kay to the pediatrician yesterday for her 2 month check. She is a porky little princess weighing in at 13 pounds and is 22 inches long...3 inches longer than she was just a few short weeks ago! Wowza!



Our pediatrician is Dr. Amy Huggins. Her practice is Pineywoods Pediatrics in Nacogdoches, TX. We absolutely adore her! She has taken excellent care of our babes.



One of the best things about Amy is that she genuinely cares about her patients..she's also very smart, great at diagnosing, pretty, sweet-spirited, a Christian, and an Aggie. I didn't attend aTm, every doctor I see is an Aggie and they have all taken excellent care of me.


Have I mentioned that I LOVE our pediatrician? She's also very conservative with handing out medicines. She understands that less is more, and does not just prescribe antibiotics all willy nilly...only if absolutely necessary. I like that... a lot.

Dr. Huggins works with Mariah Riggins. She has more initials after her name than a lawyer...which means she is certified to do just about anything: lactation consultant, nurse practitioner, free sample giver outer..etc. We love Mariah, too. She has also shown much love to my princesses.

So, if you are looking for a pediatrician in the East Texas area, I highly recommend Dr. Amy. We drive over 80 miles one way to see her, and will continue to do so, 'cause when it comes to the health of my girls, this mama ain't messin around.


P.S. Not a paid advertisement for Pineywoods Pediatrics. I just love these gals. Over and out.

First Day of Domestication

I have taught school for about 14 years now. This year shall be different. I am staying home with my new baby (who is due SOON) and my 3 1/2 yr old toddler (who will be going to preschool 3 days a week, can we say, "Hallelujah?")

My 8th graders 2010- 2011

Let's back track a little. This summer has been WILD. We have been looking for a house for over a year and finally found it. We found a home out in the country that fit the bill in every way. We experienced first hand the joy that is home buying and I hope you can detect the facetious tone in my voice. Paperwork, banks, loans, signing millions of papers, accounts, inspections, surveys, and more red tape have been floating in our brains for 2 1/2 months. We finally closed on the house on August 13 and a load of heaviness was lifted off of me. We are homeowners, at last.

Syd and her Daddy

Now the hard work begins. Every where you look there is something I want to fix up, do, redo, or overhaul so I can make this place truly ours. I have a baby room to set up. I have a den with nothing in it but junk. There is stuff everywhere and the yard needs major love. At 8 months (nearly 9) months pregnant, there is a limit to what I can do and that is totally cramping my style. I am a tad OCD about my house, and just seeing boxes makes me nauseated, but I letting that go, or at least I ma trying to let that go.

Today is the first day of school. I am usually very excited about the first day of a new year as I enjoy teaching more than a bowl of ice cream, well most days. I was born to work with kids. My little one is here with me today, and it has been challenging to say the least. We are both trying to find our niche in this new life of  "stay at homeness" and it is a struggle right now. New house, new "career," and a new baby on the way is a lot of NEW to deal with at once. Analytical and philosophical as I am, it is tough for me to process my recent change of mental address. It will get easier and @ 3:00 in the afternoon, I am looking around wondering, "Now, what do I do?"

The rain is falling gently now, so swimming in the pool is out. I got stung by a wasp yesterday, so I can check that off my list. A nap was attempted earlier, but a miserable failure. So, I guess I will enjoy my first day of domestication by brewing a cup of decaf and playing Angry Birds with Syd. That should keep me busy for today.

Summah Time

It's 12:08 PM.

So far, I have

1. Made breakfast burritos
2. Gone back to bed
3. Listened to it thunder and rain
3. Watched "Lady and the Tramp" with Sydney Lou Lou

And those are 4 wonderful reasons why I love Summah Time.

Much to Our Surprise

We have another little girl coming our way.

7 Quick Updates

1. The house was a no-go. It's tough when you have your heart set on something and then the other party does not get the message. The seller was asking about $25K more than the worth of the home and wouldn't bargain with us. They also asked that we pay double option fees. What?

2. Today is THE DAY we find out about our little bundle of joy. Boy? Girl? My dad is going with me to the ultrasound appointment. I know it will be very special for both of us.

3. Summer has officially started. I am home. all. day. by. myself. with. a. 3. year. old. Enough said.

4. I have turned in the keys to my classroom. It is cleaned out and organized. I cried a little.

5. Sydney is enjoying swimming lessons. She love lessons....but had a little bit of an emotional day yesterday, but she got over it.

6. Our 11 year anniversary is this weekend. We are going away for a couple of days, listen to jazz music on the patio, eat at my favorite restaurant, and just hang out. I can't wait!

7. My child has a future in demolition. This morning, she has: shredded paper, drawn all over the place, tore off her bedroom door (I am not kidding, she literally tore it off the hinges and it won't even close), poured dirt everywhere, thrown clothes all over the place, taken the pillow cases off every pillow in the house, and completely annihilated the cat's scratching post.

And it's only 10:55.