tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-239587682024-03-05T08:34:05.558-08:00Scissors Plus GlueMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-42333295504041422052012-09-19T14:37:00.002-07:002012-09-19T14:41:58.942-07:00Distractions & The Christmas Miracle!I checked my bag for my phone last night as I was leaving my Sister-in-law's house with Zoe. It was in the front pouch. I told her Jon makes fun of me for not keeping track of my stuff better. I tell him it's because I am trying to keep track of Zoe and I haven't lost her yet! The truth is I have never been good at keeping track of my things. Ask me about the time I lost my wallet on the CTA in Chicago or the time I came out of Trader Joe's after shopping there to find my phone on the roof of my car! But, really I think it has gotten worse now that I am totally distracted with a toddler. <br />
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After I found my phone, I loaded up Zoe in the car and my Sister-in law and I chatted a little longer. Then we left and drove home. Zoe fell asleep in the car on the way home, I tried to transport her into the house without waking her up. I was unsuccessful and rocked her like we normally do and fed her some more milk. I put her to bed and went to the kitchen and looked for my phone. I looked in my bag, on the table, in all of the usual places. No luck. I went out to the car did a quick search. Not there. Went back inside looked deeper in the bag, dumped everything out, looked in the rooms I didn't remember going into just in case I went in there, not there either. I thought it might be in Zoe's room. I crept in there hoping to not wake her up, it was not there either. She was out completely. I went back the car with a flash light and looked everywhere. It was not there. Jon was not home, so I couldn't have him call it like I normally would. I went back in and looked some more. It was not there. I remembered I had bought an App for my phone called "Find iPhone", because I do know myself and thought this could come in handy someday. I had to update it first. I tried to message my phone from my iPad while it was updating. No sound was made in the house. Finally I signed in on the App and it started searching. It showed me that my phone was here: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZH3aV0p17ocjbTflWQWhzHnYSX2i-szsqdxm5KHJ6BaBbURxF5_91CIwYrKCWQrjNqmI4owrAxKXR-vBiR4DboSUiYfnEG4K6kXsGuNijQMba6CbZmCkpX1Fcb-xKop1_EEp/s1600/photo+%282%29.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZH3aV0p17ocjbTflWQWhzHnYSX2i-szsqdxm5KHJ6BaBbURxF5_91CIwYrKCWQrjNqmI4owrAxKXR-vBiR4DboSUiYfnEG4K6kXsGuNijQMba6CbZmCkpX1Fcb-xKop1_EEp/s400/photo+%282%29.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXHEuopEJiKoZtW3DZhwh_QuDTReLY_H2jWrRP06450eYr1DBPpTHKU5l4xeAcrFprijKnD8ECNjGiUM-5Of0o-ZKRZe6cbvH4C4SrF9CRAWO001eOOjnipdjTRxyBxCzTFjJ/s1600/DSC_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJvFwcNJeWOOOqYxhTwnjkRVbDWeai6O_HK8seN0r6lt-K6tchafFmEibAjXZG-2-zX_aDAEWcYcKdUxy-Pi-AeTsg3JMsuF99RAbHWMOhhPXzT0RbmRCJ_uU6MkK0Qa3fQGW/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>This is the on-ramp for the freeway that we got onto go home tonight! Fifteen miles away! S!@#!! Now what? I decided I had to wake up Zoe and go get Jon to help me. I knew I could not do this alone and it would be better if we went now while there was no traffic and no one else could see it. I got Zoe and loaded her in the car and she cried most of the way over to Jon's friend's house. She was happy to see Jon and smiled lots! Luckily Jon was just getting ready to leave when we got there, so he parked his car again and got in with us. We headed off and made a plan of attack. I didn't know what the range of the App was. So, we decided to search the whole on-ramp. I turned on the four-way flashers and drove slow down the on-ramp. We pulled over close to where it was shown on the App. Jon got out and walked the side of the road and called my phone and listened for it. He got back in and we check the App again. It showed it was just after the overpass. The problem was it was darker and narrower down there and cars were passing us at a high speed to get on the freeway. We stayed over as best as we could and went under the overpass and Jon started calling it again. Then he yelled, "There it is!" He got out and grabbed it and quickly got back in. Jon handed it to me it looked like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJvFwcNJeWOOOqYxhTwnjkRVbDWeai6O_HK8seN0r6lt-K6tchafFmEibAjXZG-2-zX_aDAEWcYcKdUxy-Pi-AeTsg3JMsuF99RAbHWMOhhPXzT0RbmRCJ_uU6MkK0Qa3fQGW/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJvFwcNJeWOOOqYxhTwnjkRVbDWeai6O_HK8seN0r6lt-K6tchafFmEibAjXZG-2-zX_aDAEWcYcKdUxy-Pi-AeTsg3JMsuF99RAbHWMOhhPXzT0RbmRCJ_uU6MkK0Qa3fQGW/s400/DSC_0210.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
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The case I had on it was completely knocked off and on the road destroyed, the glass on the back was broken, but then I turned it over and shouted, "IT'S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!" It looked like this: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXHEuopEJiKoZtW3DZhwh_QuDTReLY_H2jWrRP06450eYr1DBPpTHKU5l4xeAcrFprijKnD8ECNjGiUM-5Of0o-ZKRZe6cbvH4C4SrF9CRAWO001eOOjnipdjTRxyBxCzTFjJ/s1600/DSC_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXHEuopEJiKoZtW3DZhwh_QuDTReLY_H2jWrRP06450eYr1DBPpTHKU5l4xeAcrFprijKnD8ECNjGiUM-5Of0o-ZKRZe6cbvH4C4SrF9CRAWO001eOOjnipdjTRxyBxCzTFjJ/s400/DSC_0211.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><br />
Amazing! Not only was it amazing that we found it, but that the front was completely fine and the phone is fully functioning, camera working, and back in my hands! We were totally surprised with how this turned out and how accurate the App was! I want to write a review for the App now, because if I had not gotten it I am sure we would have never found my phone. I learned a lesson tonight. I will try keep better track of my things and I ordered a new case that is not black, so that I can see it better! It will be here tomorrow.<br />
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Do you have trouble keeping track of things?Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-52791939038734683212012-08-21T17:07:00.004-07:002012-08-27T21:50:39.739-07:00Milk As Manna! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbIl5demarz7DcrqF_aOYCthImfuJvozox7zbAzwM-SeaxN8yHBukz4QuHa5Wt0l1diO5PqyYvKdk6dS2FijNvr7Vl-rK0AGo5Q2pqlw8OwehGtkPYJ_sn_RVtXRSFAD7siUE/s1600/DSC_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbIl5demarz7DcrqF_aOYCthImfuJvozox7zbAzwM-SeaxN8yHBukz4QuHa5Wt0l1diO5PqyYvKdk6dS2FijNvr7Vl-rK0AGo5Q2pqlw8OwehGtkPYJ_sn_RVtXRSFAD7siUE/s320/DSC_0454.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjKv1bITN2RXtNn9YFt_WHHOQ7v8qyWFnLgr_otS4qJb1pXGiGAEj6Sps2wls3RU7YtekeIBTKyBP1RRf9AGYPQLIyKB795bQwwMJFUxo3oOG7F4j0aJkwILak6-nlkcxkvrw/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXJZYzyMghopDbg71q7xg0-tabuoGw1euxcjgMZgDyU48n2PzjhBqchv1dDtQHhKnKtfnvhGCvbt8Lca-pEpSgbgDdYX2ECw292tEOF0GGYbIeEeDKcSRml9G3vn73uYVNFju/s1600/DSC_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Friendly Warning: This blog post is about breastfeeding and breast milk! <br />
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Sorry for my absence. I started to write a blog post over a month ago about the first month as a stay at home mom and I never finished it! I have a girl on the move, walking that is, and it seems like there is not enough time in the day to sit and blog or just sit! In a week I will have been home for three months. Where does the time go?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXJZYzyMghopDbg71q7xg0-tabuoGw1euxcjgMZgDyU48n2PzjhBqchv1dDtQHhKnKtfnvhGCvbt8Lca-pEpSgbgDdYX2ECw292tEOF0GGYbIeEeDKcSRml9G3vn73uYVNFju/s1600/DSC_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXJZYzyMghopDbg71q7xg0-tabuoGw1euxcjgMZgDyU48n2PzjhBqchv1dDtQHhKnKtfnvhGCvbt8Lca-pEpSgbgDdYX2ECw292tEOF0GGYbIeEeDKcSRml9G3vn73uYVNFju/s320/DSC_0416.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>This last month we hit a monumental milestone, Zoe is now fully weaned from breast milk! You may remember my previous post <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=23958768&postID=4367731092172330477">here</a>, where I talked about the struggles we were having breastfeeding and that we were getting donated breast milk to help supplement my supply. If not you can go to the link and read our story. Zoe was six weeks old when I wrote that post and we didn't know where are journey would take us or how long we would be able to get donated milk. It was a huge test of faith for Jon and I. We were able to see God's hand at work many times throughout the year through all of this. I personally saw how God cares about the desires of my heart. It was my desire to breastfeed until Zoe was one years old, it didn't necessarily work out the way we planned, but we were able to give Zoe breast milk not only to her first year, but for 14 months. I was able to breastfeed Zoe until seven months. She was growing increasingly frustrated with it and just wanted the bottle. My supply was never enough for her and was quickly up when she stopped. After that I wasn't sure if we should still ask for milk from those that we were getting it from, but we prayed about it and was humbled by the generosity of people, some of who we only just met. I got an email around that time my supply ended from someone who saw a post I had put up on a milk forum. She said that she had a lot of milk in her freezer and was running out of room and wanted to know if I still needed it. I went met her and was blown away at the volume of milk she was giving us. Her and her husband just kept bring more and more out of the freezer and the basement freezer! This was the beginning of a friendship between her and I and our girls! Our girls are best friends now and we go visit them usually on a weekly basis. I think about how we would not know them if it weren't for milk sharing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjKv1bITN2RXtNn9YFt_WHHOQ7v8qyWFnLgr_otS4qJb1pXGiGAEj6Sps2wls3RU7YtekeIBTKyBP1RRf9AGYPQLIyKB795bQwwMJFUxo3oOG7F4j0aJkwILak6-nlkcxkvrw/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjKv1bITN2RXtNn9YFt_WHHOQ7v8qyWFnLgr_otS4qJb1pXGiGAEj6Sps2wls3RU7YtekeIBTKyBP1RRf9AGYPQLIyKB795bQwwMJFUxo3oOG7F4j0aJkwILak6-nlkcxkvrw/s320/DSC_0363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Throughout this year one I have been humbled by not being able to provide milk for Zoe and having to ask for help, but it's even more humbling to see God working for your child. I think it is all the more humbling to see when prayers are answered for them, than it is to see prayers answered for you. Last night I decided to finally count all of the milk donations that I remembered to write down. I know there was more than this, but even this number is jaw dropping and amazing. Over the last fourteen months we were given over 8736 ounces of breast milk, which is about 68.25 gallons, from15 different mom's we either knew, were referred to by our midwives or lactation consultant, or met through milk forums. That is a lot of milk! It is also a lot of work coordinating. Lots of miles of driving. Lots of emails, texts, and phone calls. Lots of prayers. Some people have asked why we didn't just give her formula or if it is safe giving them other momma's milk. I will say that this is just what unfolded over time. Initially it was our decision to go this route, because she was so young, only three days old when we found out there was a problem with her weight and my supply. There was many many times I thought of just giving her formula over the last year. There were times we were running low and didn't know if we would be able to get more. I would ask Jon what we should do, he would say pray about it, call the midwives, and see what happens. It was here our needs, Zoe's needs, were always provided for. It was here that new doors opened up where there weren't before. It was here that we would reach out and even sometimes people would reach out to us without us asking. I remember one time we had just picked up some milk from a mom and I knew it would be only enough for one or two days. I remember praying the same prayer we prayed many times, "Lord, we need more milk." A few minutes I pulled off to at drive through coffee shop and ordered some coffee. I looked at my phone while I was waiting and saw I had an email from a mom we had gotten milk from before. She was asking if we needed more milk, because her daughter was fully weaned and she had a lot extra. I called her and arranged to pick it up on our way home. The email was sent before we had even left our house that day, which is amazing because God had already answered my prayer before I prayed it! The breast milk became like our manna for Zoe. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmo76Iu2c02Q0ngjg8ZSZP0wNdiVocSPWyhMTF4kzGSZzOJKQLeqh8mAp8MBJKx8D-pikxhvNiMZOhd_Hct4n0bZvHyPv0l9eEOeiJnrIZFN7UiSaqO5Hn5VfOf5HmZGck8Wc/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmo76Iu2c02Q0ngjg8ZSZP0wNdiVocSPWyhMTF4kzGSZzOJKQLeqh8mAp8MBJKx8D-pikxhvNiMZOhd_Hct4n0bZvHyPv0l9eEOeiJnrIZFN7UiSaqO5Hn5VfOf5HmZGck8Wc/s320/DSC_0356.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoe "helping" put the groceries away! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our experience is not rare, in that we have used donated milk, what it rare is that we were able to exclusively use breast milk without using any formula. <a href="http://www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2012/03/is-exclusive-donor-milk-feeding-really.html">Here</a> is more information on how rare our experience was. I am still in awe that we made it to our goal. On the question of the safety of using donated breast milk, I think what we have felt all along is that we are using the safest means possible. By going through friends and family, our midwives. With the forums that we used there is some question of safety, but most of the mommas who are donating give details about there health history, medications, foods and drinks they consume, etc. Some have given us a medical history from their doctors. There is a certain amount of faith you give to the Mom's that they wouldn't donate if there was a issue. I think what eased my mind was knowing the milk is coming from generous mommas who are trying to provide the best for their little ones and have extra to share. They aren't asking for anything in return, except maybe replacement storage bags that can get expensive. This was the most humbling thing of all, in that we were being given such a gift and were not able to give them anything in return. One day I noticed the lid of milk container we had been given, it said 2:35am and had a heart drawn on it. This gift came from the wee hours of the morning with a lot of hard work with a lot of love. To say we had been given an amazing gift is an understatement and one we are always going to be thankful for. Some people have asked how it all turned out with the milk. I thought now that we have finally ended this chapter of our lives that a update was due. I also hope it might give hope to others who are struggling with the same thing or to encourage other mommas to give the extra they have to other moms in need. <br />
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If you are interest in the milk forums that we used here are the links to them:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/katie.b.burke#%21/EatsOnFeatsOregon">Eats on Feets (OR)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/katie.b.burke#%21/eatsonfeetswashington">Eats on Feets (WA)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/katie.b.burke#%21/hm4hbWA">Human Milk For Human Babies (WA) </a><br />
<a href="http://milkshare.forumotion.com/">Milkshare Forum </a><br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-55927215149004091132012-06-01T14:31:00.003-07:002012-06-01T14:32:02.704-07:00Last Day Of Work Done.Well, yesterday was my last day of work. It was pretty anti-climatic, because I worked from home. No last drive into work, no box of personal items to take pack, no one to take me out to lunch, or for drinks after works. Instead this is how my day went... 6:30 am alarm goes off for Jon to get up for work. Hit the snooze, 6:45am, second alarm goes off, we struggle to get up. I start making Jon's breakfast and lunch and he starts getting ready. Right as he is leaving he gets a text from his boss that says he needs him at the other location, which means he doesn't have to leave for 45 min. We go back to bed and fall asleep for 30 minutes, alarm goes off again, we struggle to get up again. Jon leaves. I wave goodbye. I start the coffee, Zoe wakes up. I change her, I start warming her milk and pour myself some coffee. We sit on the couch under a blanket. I hold her bottle for her with one hand and drink coffee with other hand, we are watching the TODAY show. Zoe is done with her milk and quickly wiggles to get out of my lap. With her feet on the floor she stands next to me half watching the TODAY show half looking for something to touch on the couch. I finish my coffee and pull things out of her hands that she isn't suppose to have, i.e. the TV remote, papers I am going through on the couch, my glasses. I walk into the kitchen and come back to find her licking ketchup off of the plate I forgot to take into the kitchen last night. Ketchup is everywhere, on my computer, on her hands and face, on her pj's, on the couch. I grab the plate and run for a paper towel to clean her up. I learn from this that she likes ketchup! I take her into the kitchen with me. She opens all of the cabinets that she can reach and empties out what looks interesting. She is also using an empty laundry basket as a walker to move from one side of the room to another. I am making her breakfast, scrambled eggs. This morning we are also eating sausage patties, oh and blueberries. I finished the eggs, grab items from her that she isn't suppose to have: an envelope, a piece of the door molding she managed to break off and almost put into her mouth. I put her into her high chair, give her some food, I eat some too and then she starts clearing her tray one piece at a time by throwing it onto the floor, she does this when she needs a drink or is bored or done. I clean up the mess with the broom, this has to be done while she is in the high chair or she will chase after it to touch it or eat whatever is on the floor. I finish sweeping, wash her hands and face and throw the pile of dishes and tray into the ever mounting pile of dishes from the day before. I didn't have time to get to them yet. I take her into her room and change her and close the door to rock her and give her her milk. She drank it all. Jon calls and we talk to him, Zoe is laughing at his contact picture on my iphone and whenever she hears his voice. I put her in her bed and finish talking to Jon. I warm up more milk, because I can hear that she is not sleeping. I go pick her back up and feed her more milk, she finished the bottle again. She not moving, but is looking at the ceiling or wall, or something behind me. Her eyes flutter, she opens them and looks at the ceiling again. She is tenacious. Of all of the days I need her to go to sleep, this is the one she decides to go off of schedule. I have about 25 things on my to-do list and none of them are getting done, I am trying to be okay with this. An hour and a half later, she finally is asleep. I grabbed the baby monitor, computer, coffee, and two cookies and a banana (I'm starving) and head for my office in the basement. I start chipping away at my to-do list. Three hours later I hear Jon's car pull up. I wave from the window, while I'm still looking at the computer. Jon comes into the office, we talk a little, I am trying to finish one more thing, and then I go up stairs with him. I have to pee, I haven't peed in the last four hours and I am dying, because of all of the coffee I had. Zoe wakes up from us coming upstairs. Jon holds Zoe, I make us sandwiches, his is "to-go", and mine is on a plate. I also warm up more milk. Jon gives us kisses and leaves for school about 30 minutes after he got home. We wave goodbye from the window, Zoe waves this time. We go back inside and sit under the blanket I feed her milk until she wiggles to get down. I start eating my sandwich and she wants a bite. We finish my sandwich and then head to the car to take final work stuff to the post office and to return the movie that is three days late. I am in my sweats, not my best look, but at this point I don't care, but I do make sure I am wearing a bra! We go and come back. I give Zoe more food in her high chair, while I finish work. At 6:45pm I finally finish my list. I am wrecked and now have to think about what we are going to have for dinner. I am brain-dead, Zoe is not. I decide to order pizza with a Groupon we bought awhile ago. I didn't want to over spend, but I also didn't want to cook. I load Zoe into the car and we head off and picked up the pizza. I remember to go to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription, I had called it in a week ago. We got there they had to fill it again. We wondered the store and found the basket of rubber balls I show them to Zoe she laughs and spanks it to make funny sounds. I decide to buy it for her she holds it as we walk through the store, laughing and spanking it! I have to laugh too. I bought a bottle of wine and some Milk Duds for Jon and I. My prescription is done, we pay for everything and leave. We got home. I have my arms full trying to carry Zoe, the pizza, and the pharmacy bags into the house, I promise her I will not drop her. We got in the house in one piece and in one trip. I set her down to play and get dinner on a plate for us. She sat in her high chair, I sat in the chair next to her and we listened to Pandora station- Of Monsters and Men. She laughs and dances as she is eating. She throws the food on the floor. I clean her and the floor. Then I fill her bath tub with water, she screams, because she wants down and wants into her bath. I make her wait until it's ready. I undress her and bathe her and tell her "sit on your bottom" about 30 times. She is flinging water everywhere with the wash cloth. I take it away, she cries, bath time is done! I put her into her pj's and feed her another bottle of milk and hand her her "Softie" to snuggle. She finishes her bottle and snuggles in with her eyes closed. I kiss her head and put her into her bed and clean up her bath and wash her cloth diaper off in the toilet. I hear Jon drive up. He comes in with a smile on his face saying, "I'm home early to celebrate your last day of work!" I smile and we hug. I heat him up some pizza and we go sit on the couch. I drink some wine. We are watching TV and both of us are on our lap-tops. Two hours and two TV episodes later we go to bed, both of us are out in a few minutes. The day is finally done.<br />
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This is how much of how May went for us. I am exhausted. Jon is exhausted. Zoe is not! We got through it. Today is June 1st, a new month, a new day, a new season, and no more "work" on top of the work at home for me. I couldn't be more relieved. I think it is going to take me a couple of weeks to unwind from the stress of this last year and last month in particular. I am so grateful for Jon, for taking on more, so I could have less on my plate. I feel so blessed to have him. I might one day share more about how this transition all came about, but for now, I am going to do the recommended sleep when your baby sleeps, because I can!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-24890956259530565282012-05-24T21:57:00.002-07:002012-05-24T22:06:14.470-07:00Change Is In The Air!Our lives here have turned up a notch in the last two weeks, we were busy before, but now if feels as if we are in a sprint everyday. Jon was hired at a pretty awesome place last week and started working the day after he was hired. He is working as a welder-fabricator at a small shop that makes supplies, ovens, and furnaces for glass blowing. He is happy to be working there, because it combines many of his interests! It was a fast transition from stay at home Dad and full-time night student, to full time worker and full time night student. Jon leaves early in the morning for work and comes home for a quick bite of dinner and heads quickly off for school. To say we miss him would be an understatement! Zoe doesn't get to see much of her Daddy, because she is usually sleeping when gets home. We look forward to the weekends even more now. We are thankful for all of his hard work. Today we got a letter in the mail from his school congratulating him for achieving another 4.0 GPA last quarter and for making the Dean's list again, which he has been on every quarter since he went back to school! He is doing amazing work and we are so proud of him! <br />
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Zoe and I stay home together. I am still working having to shuffle things around and get help watching her for the appointments and travel days. I put in my notice at work and will be finishing on May 31st to be a full-time stay at home mom! I am excited about it, but I am also nervous. I have been at my job for six years and the stability, pay, and benefits are nice to have! Those things are small in comparison to the gift of being able to be at home with my sweet girl and being able to support Jon. I have realized how important it is to Jon that I do this, he is exhausted and usually in running mode all day. He needs clean clothes, warm meals, encouragement, smiles from his girls and a place to sit when he comes home! I am going to be glad when I am done with work and can do that better. I also have a huge list of things I want to do during my new "free-time"! These are things I have neglected this last year, because of getting used to this whole parenting gig and working full-time too. What do I want to do you ask? High on the list is lose the pregnancy weight, start running again, have a garage sale, deep clean the house, read, blog, sew, and most importantly enjoy being home with Zoe and make new memories with her! More to come about all of that, because change is in the air!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-13913491373922123912011-12-03T00:28:00.000-08:002011-12-03T00:28:19.589-08:00At Home Hair Makeover!Tonight while Z was sleeping and the Husband was at school, I liberated myself from a bad haircut. To be fair it wasn't that bad, it was just not what I wanted. There are a few of things you should know before you read on: <br />
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1. We are on a fixed income right now, so going to get a haircut is a expense that is not really in the budget.<br />
2. My hair stylist was 32 weeks pregnant at the time of my haircut.<br />
3. The last time I saw her she wasn't pregnant and I was!<br />
4. Do the math=I really needed a haircut.<br />
5. I have issues with going to a salon to get my hair cut.<br />
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All through my childhood until I graduated high school I only went to a salon once to get my haircut. I was in the 6th grade and it only happened because I won a free haircut in a Vacation Bible School raffle, random I know! All of my other haircuts were given to me by my Mom, who gave our whole family haircuts, because she went to beauty school, as they called it then. When I went off to college I had a friend who lived down the hall from me who was going to cosmetology school for hair. Some of you will remember this era of my life, where my hair color or style would change almost every week! I tried every shade of color possible and probably every short style imaginable. I started cutting and coloring my own hair, because I didn't think it was that hard and if I got in trouble I could call up my friend and have her help me fix it. I will say I have given myself many bad hair cuts and once accidentally dyed my hair a greenish tint! I found out from my friend that you can easily fix a greenish tint by putting ketchup in your hair (like you would shampoo or a conditioning mask), leave it in for 30-45 min and rinse. It looks like a blood bath while you are rinsing and it smells horrible, but it will take the green out!<br />
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When I went off to Chicago to finish college I even gave haircuts to the other students around campus who were willing to pay $10 or $12 for a cut! I still cut the Husband's hair and my Mom's from time to time, and I still give myself haircuts. If I find myself in a style rut I have gone to a salon to get my haircut. This usually doesn't go very well, I have issues like I said! It usually begins with me sweating with nervousness when I enter the salon, this coupled with all of my muscles being stiff with tension. I sit down in the chair and try to explain to the poor stylist what I would like. I say poor stylist, because they are doomed to fail and I am doomed to get a bad haircut! I either have a hard time explaining what I want or I am too picky or nervous. I have tried be relaxed and say "do whatever you think!" I have learned is the worst thing you can say to a stylist!<br />
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I don't like to spend a lot on my hair, because I never have had to. I can't imagine that people actually pay the prices the salon charges on a 6 week basis. I am more of a 6 month salon goer! I sit through the haircut and when it's finished I try to smile for the stylist, rarely it's not fake, and then I leave feeling bad that I just spent that much on a haircut that I don't really like.<br />
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So, here I am about a month later. I still didn't like my haircut, which didn't make me feel any better about myself. Having a baby makes you feel different about yourself, it takes awhile to get used to the new you and your new baby. Six months later, I still am trying to lose the pregnancy weight, find clothes that fit and that I feel good in, and come to terms with me not feeling like myself. Tonight I decided I had enough. I walked into the bathroom and started cutting. I cut the top, the sides, and the back and when I was done I had a smile on my face. I felt liberated, free, better. I like my hair now. Lesson learned. It was cheap, it was tension free, and it's the way I wanted it all along. It may not be perfect, but it works and I feel more like myself again.Oh, and the Husband likes it too! Priceless.<br />
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Do you have salon issues? Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-4801156397610208212011-10-20T20:48:00.000-07:002011-10-21T13:43:02.139-07:00What My Daughter Has Taught Me About Being A Mom...So Far!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifManp4rSiGl3LrIw0JqgDDtZiRPsYCGYyQ21fU0lW2FoMBgemxoKJacSvX70sckKbFv3M7Z42L9vLyUdDWsPxJeeiotMQqwkgL0T5540WOElgopLBCdzeqLve5qfA9Y6lsy1f/s1600/IMG_2647%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifManp4rSiGl3LrIw0JqgDDtZiRPsYCGYyQ21fU0lW2FoMBgemxoKJacSvX70sckKbFv3M7Z42L9vLyUdDWsPxJeeiotMQqwkgL0T5540WOElgopLBCdzeqLve5qfA9Y6lsy1f/s200/IMG_2647%255B1%255D.JPG" width="150" /></a>I read a lot while pregnant and still pick up my Dr. Sears, <i>The Baby Book</i> from time to time to check in on how we are doing. There are things I did not learn from books about being a mom, many of those things I have learned from my daughter surprisingly enough! I thought I would share some of those things with you.<br />
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<b>1. Listen To Your Children</b>- I will always remember the evening when I was trying to console Zoe's fussiness. All of my normal tricks were not working and I decided I would put her in the Ergo and take her on a walk. I put her down on her bed and went to put on my shoes and came back to find her sound asleep with her thumb in her mouth! "What? You didn't need me to help you fall asleep?" I learned then I was keeping her awake, by trying to comfort her. I learned to listen to her from then on and to read her ques. She yawns, rubs her eyes, squawks, then cries if I haven't caught onto her earlier signs of baby communication. This lesson made my job so much easier and Zoe much happier! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y6O5MQbio8DKo3-laa40YPAjSgUzZsqPa3NhVNw0CWzRTGt4Wlxkbff42wC6h437OjQWbQ_joDzyvDmaZQhM3Gchn4vpUCZWIT6JkekwS1a0mRD1Yjf7CZZwOUL5kvgtGpyv/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y6O5MQbio8DKo3-laa40YPAjSgUzZsqPa3NhVNw0CWzRTGt4Wlxkbff42wC6h437OjQWbQ_joDzyvDmaZQhM3Gchn4vpUCZWIT6JkekwS1a0mRD1Yjf7CZZwOUL5kvgtGpyv/s200/IMG_0060.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><b>2. Don't Over Paren</b>t- This goes along well with lesson number 1. One morning I was having a hard time waking up. I heard Zoe had woken up, but I just wanted a little more sleep. I decided since she wasn't crying or making her pre-cry squawks I would wait and keep my eyes closed a little longer, until she let me know she was ready! What happened? She fell back to sleep and so did I. I woke up after about another hour or so of sleep and realized then at I was over complicating things by over parenting. The next mornings to come I tried this new waiting to get up thing until I heard her ques of "I'm ready for my breakfast Mama!" I learned that when she wakes up she needs a little time to wake up before she is ready to be picked up and fed. This has become one of my favorite parts of the day. Zoe will play for about 20 minutes in her bed as she is waking up (see video number 1). She examines and turn her hands in the air and looks at the ceiling or pictures on the wall. She also scoots around in her bed and kicks. It's really fun to secretly watch her playtime. I get up and get ready for her feeding and when I come back into our room and she greets me with a huge smile and kicks and waves her arms in excitement! How could I not enjoy the morning with such a welcome!<br />
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The important thing in these lessons I have learned is to respond to ques of I'm ready, done, finished, hungry, tired, etc. It's amazing when you can learn their ques and respond to their needs quickly! This is not over parenting, but communicating with your baby, in doing this there are less tears and more trust. I never let her "cry it out" as some methods of parenting suggest, because I believe it breaks the trust your child has in you. I will say by "cry it out" I don't mean fussy tears, I mean screaming upset crying. I don't believe you are spoiling them by helping them and reacting to their cries. Your natural response is there for a reason.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwK_iekMJUIRdLG7IgQNoTgFbvnaBFBx3k8j65pquIOgFcE9d6dJm_cFQflLqg6Z4XBIDKpELk5gSg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Video 1.</div> <br />
3.<b> Most Baby Milestones Happen Without Your Help</b>. When Zoe was turning four months old I pulled <i>The Baby Book</i> off of the shelf to check in on how we were doing. I read the four month old milestones and felt a little guilty that I hadn't been doing the recommended 15 minutes of tummy time per day. I didn't make her have tummy time is because she hated it and cried within a few seconds of being put in that position. I decided to listen to her and give her small amounts of tummy time here and there when she would go for it. Once she cried I ended it. The day after she turned four months old. I decided we had better have some tummy time. I placed her on her tummy and within a couple of minutes she rolled over! I was shocked and proud of my little girl for figuring it out on her own (see video 2)! I learned milestones like rolling will happen without you teaching them how to do it, just like teeth and smiles and laughter will come on their own. That is not to say you aren't there to encourage them, but you don't have to worry so much about it! Enjoy where they are at today and what they can or cannot do. If they are not crawling or walking yet, don't worry, enjoy the time you have before you have to start chasing them! It will happen when they are ready.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifManp4rSiGl3LrIw0JqgDDtZiRPsYCGYyQ21fU0lW2FoMBgemxoKJacSvX70sckKbFv3M7Z42L9vLyUdDWsPxJeeiotMQqwkgL0T5540WOElgopLBCdzeqLve5qfA9Y6lsy1f/s1600/IMG_2647%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwqD3zFsxCAX6LxN6agVf1KKXlOKARyN8X3xWakQRSXs75ciO_VZYdEBR8gQXdpLsNdgDPmoCSBZ-M' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Video 2.</div><br />
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I will say five months of being a parent has not made me an expert by any means! These are things I have learned from my experience with Zoe so far, our next baby (someday) will probably be different and I will write another blog entry then! I know everyone's situation is different. There are things I do wrong! What I have learned from Zoe is listen to your baby and try to learn their ques, parenting will become easier when you do. If you can, try to let go of some of the worry, guilt, and control and enjoy whatever your baby is doing today, because tomorrow it will be different!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-41888525478296368532011-09-03T10:01:00.000-07:002011-09-03T10:36:02.370-07:00My house is a metaphor for my mind.This week I had a daydream that I took everything out of our house and only let a few things come back in. Ideally I would sell off the excess and make some extra money for us, but really that would just be more work and stress. I crave freedom from the burden of stress and stuff. My mind is as cluttered as the house we live in and I can't seem to organize my thoughts to find the next step or what is truly the priority. A blank canvas is what I dreamt of. I tried to stall my mind to think of what I would put back on it. I would put Jon and Zoe of course, but they also bring stuff with them. Jon and I have common goals of what we want and what we want to do in life, but I'm not sure he shares my goals for minimalism! Zoe comes with diapers and clothes, lotions and toys, and more things than any three month old probably knows she needs or probably needs. I know we need things like food, shelter, and clothing, but I would like us just to have a place setting each and a frying pan and a pot. For less dishes to need to be done. Less stuff to worry about. It may sound extreme, but something about it sounds wonderful. Really I just want to store less and free ourselves of the burdens of managing and cleaning stuff, when we could be doing other things with our time. <br />
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If you cannot tell my life is feels chaotic right now. Maybe me looking for a new house to rent or buy this week is less about our rent getting raised next month and more about wanting some new headspace? Or my desire for less stuff and a minimalistic life is about wanting to clean out the burdens we carry each day. Work family, baby, cancer, meals, bills, pregnancy weight, weight of our burdens. The day to day of life is hard, it hurts, it's busy. There is joy and blessings, there is much to be thankful for and much to pray for. I dream of a day when we have less in our house and in our lives, less stress. I don't know if that day will ever come. I hope, pray, wait, sit and rest when I can, and then get up and get going again. Other times I just let it wait until tomorrow.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-92081318254028621082011-08-26T11:56:00.000-07:002011-08-26T17:21:08.570-07:00For My Parents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWBs33BS72UxzM8Fb2n_m9EgUuYbM596CJf5WcaeKv8zRNOJ2r1HUkLvLclqXAUa6Mtsk9VQ2aD45b2QfPU8fJKkPBbgT2eS51MOmZLjONFMWjSJottMSIbKvdMmqEZheqtAL/s1600/photo%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17l3hfHh2MpAWLS4OIvFB5mpuud6UVscFZRqCbRu_dmrkRXOioTjw2WXfX25BxbKZGJ7dKXBfM7FNjDLXNdLP_hjmmxKhNOEZK971DftNtQIQyAn6IYfIVWGnSTaoS7aJE3pn/s1600/photo%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17l3hfHh2MpAWLS4OIvFB5mpuud6UVscFZRqCbRu_dmrkRXOioTjw2WXfX25BxbKZGJ7dKXBfM7FNjDLXNdLP_hjmmxKhNOEZK971DftNtQIQyAn6IYfIVWGnSTaoS7aJE3pn/s320/photo%252813%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a>Last weekend my parents celebrated their 40th wedding Anniversary. I wanted to write a blog about them, because they are both amazing people and together make an even more amazing team. My parents may look like Ken and Barbie from the outside, but I know they don't feel perfect and have walked through their own struggles throughout the last 40 years, but continue to face each day and the uncertainty it brings with grace and love for each other. <br />
I have been watching them my whole life and I have learned many things, how to love others, how to work hard, how to persevere, how to enjoy the little things in life, and how to follow Jesus. My parents have taught me by example that it's how you run the race that is important and that even if the race isn't going well you should keep running and persevere. I think about how I have seen this in my Dad and how he has fought cancer for the last 11 years and in how my Mom has been by his side as his caregiver each and everyday of those 11 years. I think about my Mom and her abundant kindness and the love she shows him and everyone around her. She is also a fighter and one of the strongest women I know.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWBs33BS72UxzM8Fb2n_m9EgUuYbM596CJf5WcaeKv8zRNOJ2r1HUkLvLclqXAUa6Mtsk9VQ2aD45b2QfPU8fJKkPBbgT2eS51MOmZLjONFMWjSJottMSIbKvdMmqEZheqtAL/s1600/photo%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWBs33BS72UxzM8Fb2n_m9EgUuYbM596CJf5WcaeKv8zRNOJ2r1HUkLvLclqXAUa6Mtsk9VQ2aD45b2QfPU8fJKkPBbgT2eS51MOmZLjONFMWjSJottMSIbKvdMmqEZheqtAL/s320/photo%252812%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>I think about how the week before their Anniversary my Dad was in the hospital for 10 day and my Mom slept by his side in a reclining chair every night. She only left the hospital every few days for a quick trip home to freshen up and take a quick break. I think about visiting my Dad in the hospital while he was going through the apheresis procedure to thin his blood. He was looking forward keeping a steady gaze ahead of him trying to keep focused on getting through it. I sat by his side talking to him, not without tears as I hoped (I blame the postnatal hormones or having something in my eye as my dad would say)! He was focused on what he needed to do and was comforting me in my tears. I was suppose to be there for him! I love both of my parents so much. I am so proud of them and the journey they have been on and continue to be on together. They have kept the pace and continue to run together through what each day brings them. I am so grateful for them and that they are my parents, teachers, role models, and friends. Thank you for the example you are to me and so many others. Thank you for never giving up and persevering forward together. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!WE love you! <br />
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-27314628807889012382011-07-10T12:26:00.001-07:002012-08-16T13:43:19.884-07:00Sometimes You Get What You Need.I think these Rolling Stones lyrics sum up the last six weeks perfectly! Yesterday while driving with my arm stretched around the seat with my finger in Zoe's mouth to calm her cries. I was pondering the thought that the Lord doesn't give us more than we can handle and that He gives us what we need, which can stretch us as farther than we think we can be stretched!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71SXgNKLT86Ob-ZY7xOa9YagkQCNHXCj47xSh4OQo5IgVHn0ayMcKRqw0WozAY3KgkDHGnNxKd-aaUF43iFWVgzKb_WoItou_8D_OgEjtoT9JGV981pi5wW1i14M-xQYjzmJD/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71SXgNKLT86Ob-ZY7xOa9YagkQCNHXCj47xSh4OQo5IgVHn0ayMcKRqw0WozAY3KgkDHGnNxKd-aaUF43iFWVgzKb_WoItou_8D_OgEjtoT9JGV981pi5wW1i14M-xQYjzmJD/s320/DSC_0365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Zoe is attached to me, she needs me to hold her and comfort her and often no one else will do. This is not always what I want, because I need to do things like shower, eat, go to the bathroom! It's what she needs at this moment, so my needs fall to the back burner. I tell Jon not to worry, with the Dad she has, she is soon bound to be a Daddy's girl for the rest of her life and she will forget about me!<br />
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Zoe has changed how we do things, we are still trying to learn what her routine is, but it changes everyday. So, I make plans and she changes them! I want to go out for a walk and she just wants to stay in and eat, all day! My milk supply is still not enough for her needs, but that doesn't matter to her she still needs the comfort of nursing, this is how she falls asleep. This is what I find amazing, and such a gift. She could reject nursing and stick to the bottle, but she prefers nursing and whatever milk I give her. I wish I could give her all the milk she could ever ask for her. We can't always get what we want, but we have been given all that we need.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhYU-XikfHtuJsQf7P6KoYl8tl-i916VAMRjqmUDh97cDUfLjTil5PvpH3iPOUnPwxc078hxBXrSci5pmN1BlgTaDL6LbwZIe8Xc1M6I8PBdhFHn0k4wV_y7u8ulHMm_IlmkW/s1600/milkphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhYU-XikfHtuJsQf7P6KoYl8tl-i916VAMRjqmUDh97cDUfLjTil5PvpH3iPOUnPwxc078hxBXrSci5pmN1BlgTaDL6LbwZIe8Xc1M6I8PBdhFHn0k4wV_y7u8ulHMm_IlmkW/s320/milkphoto.JPG" width="240" /></a>Last month I was worried we were going to have to give her formula, because the donated breast milk we had was always running low, we needed more mom who could donate. I was referred to a couple of forums for donating milk one is a Facebook group called "Eats and Feets" and the other is a website called <a href="http://milkshare.birthingforlife.com/">MilkShare</a>. I had posted requests for milk donations, but didn't have any responses. I kept checking and praying for milk to start pouring down. One day while I was nursing my friend Amiee texted and asked us if we wanted a mini freezer. She needed to get rid of for her move. I said yes without hesitation and they delivered it a few days later. Then about couple days later while nursing I checked the forums again. There were three new posts from Mom's looking to donate milk. I emailed all of them and two of them emailed back saying I could have their freezer full of milk. I got a couple of coolers, we fed Zoe a lot before getting into the car and heading off for a little road trip. We went to the first house and the mom took me into her garage and opened a freezer and said I could have whatever I wanted. It was the mother load of milk! She said she didn't have enough milk for her daughter the first week and started pumping and hasn't stopped for fear her supply would run out. I was in awe of what we were being given. I loaded up both coolers with all of the milk that would fit and gave her a hug and thanked her. Jon and I were totally in shock with how much milk we had just been given. We still had to go to the second house to collect a freezer full. We stopped by Target and bought a couple of coolers to take whatever they had for us. We got there and she had a box ready to hand us. It was a normal refrigerator size freezer full, which was less than I thought, but still a huge blessing. We took it all and when we got back home our new freezer was full to the brim and so was our refrigerator freezer! The milk had poured down on us and we were taken care of. So much stress had been lifted off of my shoulders and Zoe still hasn't had formula, thanks to many generous mom's out there. <br />
<br />
To put what we had been given to perspective. There are some mom's who try and sell their milk for $2-3 dollars an ounce on Craigslist. If we had to buy the milk we have used so far since that day it rained milk, we would have paid $600-$900 for it and we still have a freezer full! What a blessing.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-43677310921723304772011-06-01T00:36:00.001-07:002012-08-21T21:52:52.369-07:00Zoe's First Week Challenges.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfmF95OUJj411JI_eCbVZWJryQxrpDciY4rcdcu44ZtO1ope95ldYoLycnarEIcB4JX1XukIvmqr1q7t5UxQMqa1Lct3cM6eowcy06wwuGK2bJsZxvTn1Uip8I8iBpPfyQZRy/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfmF95OUJj411JI_eCbVZWJryQxrpDciY4rcdcu44ZtO1ope95ldYoLycnarEIcB4JX1XukIvmqr1q7t5UxQMqa1Lct3cM6eowcy06wwuGK2bJsZxvTn1Uip8I8iBpPfyQZRy/s320/DSC_0089.jpg" width="214" /></a>Wow! What a week this has been, my uncle passed away after finding out he had cancer this last month, we made a trip to the childrens ER, and my parents were staying with us, and then there were all of the hours getting to know Zoe. We are tired to say the least! There is more to say about all of this, but I will tell you about why we ended up in the ER and what has been happening with Zoe.<br />
<br />
So, Saturday and Sunday were great, we didn’t get a lot of sleep and I was pretty sore from the stitches and breast feeding. I felt like breast feeding was going pretty good. Monday, was the third day breast feeding, which is when you are suppose to get your milk in. Monday night I noticed it was in and I fed her and she conked out for an hour or more. In the middle of the night she was having problems falling asleep and then she began a crying fit. It was awful, nothing would console her, she was searching for my breast, but not latching onto it, because she was so upset and she would get more and more frustrated. Jon and I watched a DVD called Happiest Baby On The Block before she was born, the technique they teach which was incredibly helpful in this situation. Jon swaddled Zoe tightly and cradled her in his arm and gently rocked her while making a shhh noise. I let her suck on my finger and it calmed her down enough to where she would feed again. Jon was proud of himself, as he should be for saving the day! We were able to go back to sleep for a little bit, but this was the first of many crying fits that happened over the next 24 hours. Zoe and I got very little sleep throughout this. I was holding her all of the time and could hardly put her down before she would begin crying again. The crying turned into fits and as the fits progressed, Zoe would make a whimper noise that broke both of our hearts. Her mouth would get really dry and her cry started to sound hoarse. Eventually she would wear herself out and would nurse and sleep. Swaddling and letting her suck on my fingers would help a little, but only for a short time. I finally got to a point that I didn’t know what to anymore. I was worried about her, and I was worn out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaljjUmAwZRs_mpibPG354bzFZltnR3sOqLK7JdPBifJkNGT0lgpE4406qFRpeBgBqCzhHpsZc3vq7FCHzrnYD8qfl8IT0KRfEhuPG5QYX6HGQMEmdTj3F9C1XhYE5BXkEdrlI/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaljjUmAwZRs_mpibPG354bzFZltnR3sOqLK7JdPBifJkNGT0lgpE4406qFRpeBgBqCzhHpsZc3vq7FCHzrnYD8qfl8IT0KRfEhuPG5QYX6HGQMEmdTj3F9C1XhYE5BXkEdrlI/s320/DSC_0062.jpg" width="320" /></a>Wednesday morning I called our midwives to get some help. They suggested we bring her in and weigh her. They would also take a look at her to see if they could give us more advice. Jon had to go to a class that morning, so my dad took Zoe and I to the midwives. Heather, one of our midwives weighed her and told us that she weighed 6.12 pounds, which was almost one pound down from her birth weight. I couldn’t hold back the tears and I still can’t now while writing this. I was devastated. It's normal for babies to lose weight the first week, but that is usually 7-10%. Zoe had lost 12% in the first four days. I felt awful, I knew I did the best I could, but it wasn’t enough to help her. The other troubling thing was her heart rate was low, which was weird, because if she was dehydrated it should have been higher than normal. Heather consulted with the pediatrician we were planning on seeing that week. They both didn’t like that and thought we should take her to the Childrens Hospital ER to have her looked at further. This worried me more. I like to stay out of hospitals, that‘s why we birthed out of one! Heather, also wanted to let me know that if we took her to the hospital they would probably want to supplement her with formula. This made me cry again. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs2Vafh2RYVYUoy2pxIHskYcGp6feUw965o0NPUBNSN18IavngWsdjEHpNbYDXc6h0YLzIERQpoxoCjncKPCkPy4DITDjO_G8bPTOa1yoCQLB1t6yAAyZSIJUSBjvZf8472XO/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs2Vafh2RYVYUoy2pxIHskYcGp6feUw965o0NPUBNSN18IavngWsdjEHpNbYDXc6h0YLzIERQpoxoCjncKPCkPy4DITDjO_G8bPTOa1yoCQLB1t6yAAyZSIJUSBjvZf8472XO/s320/DSC_0172.jpg" width="320" /></a>I have a strong conviction breast feeding is best and formula should be avoided at all costs. I believe this, because a baby’s bowels are a delicate ecosystem and even one bottle of formula can throw off that balance and make them more susceptible to allergies and illnesses. I also do not trust the sources of soy or milk that formula companies use. Most soy, even organic is cross-contaminated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Things I do not want to introduce to my baby ever. Let alone on her first four days of life! You might not agree with me on this point, but I decided we would not supplement with formula, but with donated brest milk. Heather told us that if we wanted to supplement with donated breast milk, that she knew of a mother who has a large amount available and she lived in are neighborhood. I told her that I would like to contact her and she gave us her information. I also called my sister-in-law Megan to see if she knew anyone else who had extra breast milk. Then I called Jon and had him call the mother Heather told us about. He went and got milk and started warming it, so that we could feed it to Zoe on the way to the ER. Dad, Zoe, and I left the midwives for home to drop of my dad and pick up Jon and some things that we needed. On the way to the hospital I fed Zoe a bottle in the car, which she took down well. When we got to the hospital they weighed her again and checked her heart rate. It was up from the midwives, which I attribute to the bottle of breast milk she had.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR45rgzhm1bsJ3z3OOIGn16DKXaM3IBjJfjPpRLhBr63z2Pt44g8nJ7J9wgDi4sNeWxw4G7K59-3KMrzwTQ3NKpqJ02bhgwUBM7BqC1U7o6KXhT8x36j614iSK_u9wmfQlQ8du/s1600/DSC_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR45rgzhm1bsJ3z3OOIGn16DKXaM3IBjJfjPpRLhBr63z2Pt44g8nJ7J9wgDi4sNeWxw4G7K59-3KMrzwTQ3NKpqJ02bhgwUBM7BqC1U7o6KXhT8x36j614iSK_u9wmfQlQ8du/s320/DSC_0068.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Megan met us at the ER to be with us, but she also brought us a bag of breast milk she collected from mom’s that she knows. She said that she traded the breast milk for some halibut that she had bought that week from a fisher man! We all had a good laugh about how it could look like a drug deal to people! I am so grateful for Megan’s support and the generous mothers who donated milk to Zoe. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR45rgzhm1bsJ3z3OOIGn16DKXaM3IBjJfjPpRLhBr63z2Pt44g8nJ7J9wgDi4sNeWxw4G7K59-3KMrzwTQ3NKpqJ02bhgwUBM7BqC1U7o6KXhT8x36j614iSK_u9wmfQlQ8du/s1600/DSC_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Zoe had a second bottle at the hospital and immediately took a big poop! It was what she needed for her system to pick up and get going again. It was after this we saw a huge change in her. She was content with her eyes open. We hadn’t seen her eyes open since the day she was born. She also wasn’t crying anymore. She was happy to be held by Jon and others and she slept a lot! It was amazing! She was back to being the sweet little baby we met the day she was born. The diagnosis was that she was not getting enough milk from me, and we could go home if we agreed to a plan with the doctor’s, which included supplementing her with the donated breast milk and for me to begin pumping to help my milk supply and to get some much needed rest. That night we went home and I went to bed, Jon stayed up with Zoe and fed her and finally got some good quality time with her. It was what we all needed. I had asked Heather how much she should be sleeping and she said average is 2-3 hours, which sounded glorious to us! We had been getting much less than that the last few nights. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf13E8pa7xfs76hwecv36h6bfI1NZTJyWS3F7ICc38YCBPD_d9-3xpjNRtar63jVMFqUJTbyERhoX6hTyW_L-WOOrt8jFuFDIyoqRrBKxjLaYBpVAxMjb-hOjrGrKqAGSb89dS/s1600/DSC_0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf13E8pa7xfs76hwecv36h6bfI1NZTJyWS3F7ICc38YCBPD_d9-3xpjNRtar63jVMFqUJTbyERhoX6hTyW_L-WOOrt8jFuFDIyoqRrBKxjLaYBpVAxMjb-hOjrGrKqAGSb89dS/s1600/DSC_0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf13E8pa7xfs76hwecv36h6bfI1NZTJyWS3F7ICc38YCBPD_d9-3xpjNRtar63jVMFqUJTbyERhoX6hTyW_L-WOOrt8jFuFDIyoqRrBKxjLaYBpVAxMjb-hOjrGrKqAGSb89dS/s320/DSC_0182.jpg" width="320" /></a>On Friday (two days later), we went her first pediatrician appointment where she was weighed at 7.8 pounds! We all celebrated her being able bounce back to almost where she started. Zoe is a little fighter! Heather told us that it was so good that she let us know something was wrong, because most babies will just sleep more when they are not getting enough food. Their parents will think it’s great getting more sleep and not know something is wrong. We are feeling much more positive about life with a baby! Jon and Zoe have been able to bond and they are really cute together! I have gotten more rest and have been pumping while feeding Zoe to help get the milk flowing! We have gotten more milk donated to us and I am again so grateful to the mom’s who have helped us. I feel like paying it forward when I have more milk to give. Zoe's first week didn't go as planned, but there was a lot of good and amazing things that came from it. We are so in love with Zoe and so blessed to have her.<br />
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On to week two! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs2Vafh2RYVYUoy2pxIHskYcGp6feUw965o0NPUBNSN18IavngWsdjEHpNbYDXc6h0YLzIERQpoxoCjncKPCkPy4DITDjO_G8bPTOa1yoCQLB1t6yAAyZSIJUSBjvZf8472XO/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-19158636872721021532011-05-28T23:39:00.000-07:002011-05-29T01:58:50.173-07:00Zoe's Birth Story<link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMichelle%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMichelle%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMichelle%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">We had our baby and it's a girl! Zoe James was born on Saturday, May 21 at 7:40am and what a crazy day it was! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ANa0gj5eaLxWXSeVb6dhZtdAT2NuG2CYF1Sef9-FX__iH_4OOkpgpwE3laBkmOVktLOPVHgC64pHQjNdYppBv6DrFKOcEXBm5P2d3xaJyHNmNiOaslILnLlvh2Yu97srCoMY/s1600/DSC_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ANa0gj5eaLxWXSeVb6dhZtdAT2NuG2CYF1Sef9-FX__iH_4OOkpgpwE3laBkmOVktLOPVHgC64pHQjNdYppBv6DrFKOcEXBm5P2d3xaJyHNmNiOaslILnLlvh2Yu97srCoMY/s320/DSC_0828.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was a few months ago at one of our midwife appointments that my midwife asked me, “So, when is this baby coming?” I said “May 21<sup>st</sup>!” It was the next week I was driving and saw a billboard that said the rapture was happening on May 21<sup>st</sup>! Jon and I both liked the idea that our baby would be born on the day of the rapture! I thought it would be a week late from out May 15th due date and I like the 21st for many other reasons too. It seemed with each passing day after our due date that it would be possible for the baby to come on the 21st. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OZivc26593Y-jWRkdV7kqehQaw75-eqxLoxVG0SSmpr_tDf9QvSZrnwAsAJ7XbPVbIvWMCtFTRomy2RV4kcLN3plDHGpKsVusfdEPb1Ha4Pp0bui56IPvNrhnKTA83SXzxss/s1600/DSC_0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>On Friday May 20th, we went to Costco to walk the baby out and get some groceries we would need for the next few weeks. We came home and I repacked the bags for the birth to make sure we had everything we needed. I also cleaned the house a little. We ate dinner and then went to Jack Block Park to walk the baby out some more. It was a perfect night in Seattle, warm and clear. We walked around the park, up and down stairs and took time to enjoy the amazing view of Seattle and each other. Jon made me do a few jumping jacks, which made us both laugh a lot! We left the park and went to get a movie and some ice cream. We decided to go to an estate sale the next day in the morning to get a early start on the day. After the movie around midnight, I told Jon we had to get to bed early. I said “We have a big day tomorrow, we have the estate every sale to go to and we are having the baby!” So, off to bed we went!</div><div class="MsoNormal">At 2am I woke up to pee and went back to bed. Then at 4am I woke up again, but this time with contractions. I started timing them and they were coming about every three to four minutes and lasting about one minute. I timed them for about a half an hour and then woke up Jon. I told him he should call the midwives and let them know our labor had started. I went to the bathroom and was having contractions on the toilet. I had been able to breathe through the contraction and manage them. Jon brought me the phone and it was Tina our midwife. She listened to me having a contraction and timed it. She told me that it was a little shorter than a minute and it sounded like I handled it well. She told us to call her back after they progress some more. I went to lie back down on the bed and had a contraction that I couldn’t manage as well. No position was comfortable. I had to move around from lying down to on all fours and then the next came and it was harder than the last. I moved to kneeling on the floor next to the bed and resting my arms and head on the bed, which didn’t help either. The contractions were getting stronger and I couldn't get comfortable, I just kept moving around to try to get in a comfortable position. I had to scream and yell to cope with them. They hurt badly and i couldn't catch by breathe between them. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGENslPJPat71z6MGAet_nDg4w8eJITUGaVdrDOEUlAH9S7Wqpv8u8lUy7zyhjgDDPD0r_dmHUFSzHFsVIl0arkbEYK_9A_MYRYLLzKpWH4et9laiMFwJxo-oENlfJPk4Sv92/s1600/DSC_0824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGENslPJPat71z6MGAet_nDg4w8eJITUGaVdrDOEUlAH9S7Wqpv8u8lUy7zyhjgDDPD0r_dmHUFSzHFsVIl0arkbEYK_9A_MYRYLLzKpWH4et9laiMFwJxo-oENlfJPk4Sv92/s400/DSC_0824.jpg" width="266" /></a>Meanwhile, I had written a list of last minute things we needed to collect and pack before going. Jon was running around checking things off of the list. He also called Megan his sister who was going to be our doula at the birth. She got ready and headed down to help us at home with the contractions and then come with us to the birth center. Jon would come in and ask how I was doing, but mostly rushed around the house and started packing things into the car. He called Tina again and she heard me yelling in the back ground and told us to come in. About that time Megan showed up and she came into the bedroom to help me with the contractions. My hips and back were killing me, so she pushed on my hips and told me to yell lower in a deep moan. I tried doing that, it felt foreign and weird, but I noticed it did help a little. Jon came into the room and said we were all ready to go. Megan said we should wait until the next contraction is over and that I might have another contraction on the way to the car. I did as we got to the car door. I braced myself with the door and the roof of the car. I screamed more. </div><div class="MsoNormal">I was not happy about having to get into the car, I knew that the car ride was going to be rough. I was having contractions every few minutes. It felt like a freight train was loose and coming at me. It was nothing like what I had read in the birthing books. I had heard contractions could feel like a wave in the ocean coming in and breaking and retreating. I had pictured being able to breathe through the wave calmly quietly. I had told Jon I am not a screamer and will probably be calm and quiet and he didn’t have to worry! He and I had watched a DVD of three births at a birth center and one lady screamed the whole time, which scared both of us. I thought I wouldn’t be like that at all, but I had no that it would be that intense and hurt that much. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYYJQD8_STIkdM6zFscZXkP9pY0I2iN-UOgjaBdqPgoaHddqje-YoQNzGKcdZMHBJvHACfwNCC7d7J0wkfqEfGc_yg1KG1gCtpkJNzxRKUEJ7-HaucQCj9Ws46UQuDnySmWHe/s1600/DSC_0733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYYJQD8_STIkdM6zFscZXkP9pY0I2iN-UOgjaBdqPgoaHddqje-YoQNzGKcdZMHBJvHACfwNCC7d7J0wkfqEfGc_yg1KG1gCtpkJNzxRKUEJ7-HaucQCj9Ws46UQuDnySmWHe/s200/DSC_0733.jpg" width="200" /></a>We headed to the birth center. Luckily it was Saturday morning and there was no traffic. I was having a hard time with the contractions, I couldn’t get comfortable and my back felt like it was breaking. I was scared and tired; I wasn’t sure how much more I could take of this. If it was going to be hours longer I thought I would probably not be able to handle it. The next contraction hit me hard while we were on the West Seattle bridge and I told them, “I can’t do this anymore! “ Little did I know that I was going to through transition at this point, which is the hardest part of labor. I had about four more contractions before we got to the birth center. I couldn’t have been more relieved when we finally got there. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZriPtEo00v_9ttr-msG16f3dhcr66lIyzoiPp6eeA_4INXg53mz8d3HnA72kvahhvAWT6ctBLuvL3FOy_5g2HKoeJYhay_Uki0LB_hB6VJPGDJn1rnfccw4puiOPLj6gIBtW/s1600/DSC_0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZriPtEo00v_9ttr-msG16f3dhcr66lIyzoiPp6eeA_4INXg53mz8d3HnA72kvahhvAWT6ctBLuvL3FOy_5g2HKoeJYhay_Uki0LB_hB6VJPGDJn1rnfccw4puiOPLj6gIBtW/s320/DSC_0759.jpg" width="320" /></a>Tina and Cindy a midwife student intern met us at the door of the birth center and we went down stairs into the birthing room. I had wanted to labor in the tub, I saw it was filled and all I wanted to do was get in it. Tina told me to go bathroom and pee again before she checked me. While I was sitting there Tina tried taking my blood pressure and Cindy tried listening to the baby’s heartbeat. I had another contraction, so they waited until it was over. They wanted to move me to. the bed, so I stood up and had another really strong contraction I felt the need to push. I braces myself on a table close by, Megan pushed on my hips. When that contraction was over I had another one right after that. During this time Jon was unloading the car and was finally done as I got on the bed for them to check me. Tina took her time and was trying to figure out if I was fully dilated or fully closed. She could hardly believe how fast this was happening. Finally she said "okay you are fully dilated and can begin pushing!" This was about 7:15am. She had me get on all fours on the bed. Jon put on Pandora. Mumford and Sons came on. The song was Awake My Soul played which was perfect for that moment. It helped relax me and help me pace myself. Jon was by my head comforting, supporting, and encouraging me. The hard contractions stopped and came further apart as the baby dropped further. They checked the babies heartbeat and they told me the position wasn’t good for the baby and they had me move over to the birthing stool. Jon sat behind me on the bed supporting me. The stool wasn’t comfortable, it was making my back hurt, but I didn’t move because they told me they could see the baby’s head. I pushed again and they asked if I wanted to touch the head. I said, “No?” I couldn’t believe that we were already at this point. Where was the hours of labor? Why did I pack snacks and food for Jon for the hour we would be there? Why did I make a huge play list on my ipod? Why wasn’t I in the tub relaxing? Where was the wave like contractions? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OZivc26593Y-jWRkdV7kqehQaw75-eqxLoxVG0SSmpr_tDf9QvSZrnwAsAJ7XbPVbIvWMCtFTRomy2RV4kcLN3plDHGpKsVusfdEPb1Ha4Pp0bui56IPvNrhnKTA83SXzxss/s1600/DSC_0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OZivc26593Y-jWRkdV7kqehQaw75-eqxLoxVG0SSmpr_tDf9QvSZrnwAsAJ7XbPVbIvWMCtFTRomy2RV4kcLN3plDHGpKsVusfdEPb1Ha4Pp0bui56IPvNrhnKTA83SXzxss/s320/DSC_0769.jpg" width="320" /></a>All of these thoughts ran through my head, until Tina said “Okay, next time you push it will be out!” I didn’t really believe her, but I thought “okay, if it makes all of this stop then I will try!”The next time I felt the need to push I push hard with everything I had in me. The baby flew out and surprised everyone! It was 7:40am. I thought she fell on the ground, but Jon assured me that Cindy caught her! They handed me our baby and a blanket and I held it in my arms amazed. We waited until the cord stopped pulsating before cutting it. It was a couple of minutes before I asked Jon to look and see what sex the baby was. He looked and told us that it was a girl! We were so excited! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahpw7655uFIQJ-JqVfVSOd8MyqDj21Jn9uOx4rkieUxfjq9DpA9tXDz_2wfngjC5fNg0g8et9rn6pMXIplYOrATABgGy-4DyxNQRhupiZb7vdAk7SeDkDU5ZQ4dJEgawz3oHW/s1600/DSC_0771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahpw7655uFIQJ-JqVfVSOd8MyqDj21Jn9uOx4rkieUxfjq9DpA9tXDz_2wfngjC5fNg0g8et9rn6pMXIplYOrATABgGy-4DyxNQRhupiZb7vdAk7SeDkDU5ZQ4dJEgawz3oHW/s320/DSC_0771.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbwcdmsqyRtCaEJkNsLO02rtHAywVJnFUZpH4tcxIQlzz0NdwqpxpDzeXQ_b7-vbrxlUtzhtsBUvJ07Rc58kP_ey7_q-1JbHV_6Aa_1aWwEt5jnIc3RHsSmG5PKHQW6sBuwtr/s1600/DSC_0810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbwcdmsqyRtCaEJkNsLO02rtHAywVJnFUZpH4tcxIQlzz0NdwqpxpDzeXQ_b7-vbrxlUtzhtsBUvJ07Rc58kP_ey7_q-1JbHV_6Aa_1aWwEt5jnIc3RHsSmG5PKHQW6sBuwtr/s320/DSC_0810.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">They moved us back to the bed and I held our little girl and started nursing her. I started shaking and got covered with a blanket. They let me nurse for awhile. Jon got on the phone and started calling people. Then he came back over and they asked us if we had a name for her. We checked with each other and agreed that we had a name and I told everyone, “her name is Zoe James!” Zoe is a name we both love and it means abundant life. James is after Jon’s Grandpa who passed away this year. At his funeral we talked about using his name for our baby’s middle name, Jon asked me, what if it's a girl? II started saying James with first names we liked. I said "Zoe James?" And we both liked it. It felt right and from then on I thought we would have our Zoe James even though we didn’t know the sex of the baby. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Tina and Cindy took Zoe to weigh her and check her out. She was 7 pounds 11 oz. and 21 inches long. Later she was measured again was 19 ¾ inches long. They also checked me out. It ended up that I tore and they were worried about the amount of tearing. They couldn’t tell for sure and had Heather another one of our midwives come and give a second option. She agreed that it looked deep and that we should probably go to the hospital to get it looked at. I was worried about this, but they assured me that it would not be complicated and they wouldn’t have to touch Zoe. So, we got Zoe dressed and in her car seat and Jon repacked the car. I got cleaned up and dressed and we all loaded up into the cars and headed to the hospital. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzScLPzHLLJkjRrMcG6LOsa7arfcczE1m4fmqTqKeBVzRqjowmUY4ysYxB2t4q5HO7pGcFV1wkbkYQ-hgiEfeWL2BsZCcBXTZgC-0_ZK_K9o7zdlkubQAqofyrFh_Ugof-J3PB/s1600/DSC_0814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzScLPzHLLJkjRrMcG6LOsa7arfcczE1m4fmqTqKeBVzRqjowmUY4ysYxB2t4q5HO7pGcFV1wkbkYQ-hgiEfeWL2BsZCcBXTZgC-0_ZK_K9o7zdlkubQAqofyrFh_Ugof-J3PB/s320/DSC_0814.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We got to the hospital and I peed, which meant I didn’t need and catheter. They used local anesthetic and stitched me up. We were out of the hospital by 12pm and on our way home, but first we stopped by Jimmy John’s for a sandwich. Don’t worry Megan ran in and we ate them on the way home in the car not at the restaurant! It was a crazy morning. I couldn’t believe how fast Zoe’s delivery went. It still amazes me today. It felt great, except for some pain from the stitches. I was energized and felt really good. Not too long after we got home my parents made it to our house and got to see their new Granddaughter. They didn’t get to be at the birth, but in the end that didn’t seem to matter. Everyone was just enjoying Zoe! What a crazy day it was! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGENslPJPat71z6MGAet_nDg4w8eJITUGaVdrDOEUlAH9S7Wqpv8u8lUy7zyhjgDDPD0r_dmHUFSzHFsVIl0arkbEYK_9A_MYRYLLzKpWH4et9laiMFwJxo-oENlfJPk4Sv92/s1600/DSC_0824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-33453091256387967102011-05-16T01:21:00.000-07:002011-05-16T01:21:27.200-07:00Week 40: It's hard waiting!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRTnlI4L_p9j0dOqoUe7FGX8_mQ0aXNp-abQuJa-I1y2j_JnariMZNCwHyTUsODDs5SAn5L4k44A9XE8SHdDKNK2yrVWe7weE70dlFl-FitpD4KvtMq_UAqd6DQxvLsQsseFY/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRTnlI4L_p9j0dOqoUe7FGX8_mQ0aXNp-abQuJa-I1y2j_JnariMZNCwHyTUsODDs5SAn5L4k44A9XE8SHdDKNK2yrVWe7weE70dlFl-FitpD4KvtMq_UAqd6DQxvLsQsseFY/s200/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>Today was my due date, lets not cheer yet, because today is almost over and the baby is not here! Statistically there was only a 5% chance I would have had the baby today, but for the last week and a half I have been hoping everyday would be the day, but no such luck!<br />
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I don't know if we are "ready" to have this baby or not, there seems to be things that come up everyday that make us not ready, like the car isn't working or we would like to finish this or that before it comes. Ready or not we are excited to meet this little person! I am personally excited to be done with being pregnant for awhile! My feet and hands are swollen most of the time, and I think my face is too, my hips and back hurt, especially at night. I feel tired and miserable most days, mostly from not sleeping well at night. I look like a turtle stuck on it's back while trying to get in a comfortable position or out of bed. It's really not a pretty sight, but it makes us laugh!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujaHsATLWYi0JPB7faiX_ueX-fR-yEdjMcAeINEt5VmFBbCgA4nzR63qCZRL0avwEOu4aR8oRWEibNGrIaMTeyF2TuXyGq3r97ocidmvmVWAoeLjkN4V4juTmtcZfCfDBY6AM/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujaHsATLWYi0JPB7faiX_ueX-fR-yEdjMcAeINEt5VmFBbCgA4nzR63qCZRL0avwEOu4aR8oRWEibNGrIaMTeyF2TuXyGq3r97ocidmvmVWAoeLjkN4V4juTmtcZfCfDBY6AM/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
I have been having warm-up contractions throughout the night and sometimes day that don't go anywhere and stop after awhile. It's frustrating, because they are like a false alarm that goes off and I have no idea if it's really happening or not. Having warm-up contractions has helped spur me on towards readiness! When the contractions end, I get to work. The other night I cleaned the bathroom, moped the floors, did laundry, cleaned out the fridge, did the dishes, repacked the bags, all in the matter of a couple of hours. Jon ever so kindly asked if I was experiencing a sudden burst of energy as he read from our birthing book on signs of labor beginning! He has learned as I have to not be alarmed by these contractions, but to be watchful of their progression!<br />
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I know the baby will be here soon. I know the lack of sleep it's is good prep for when it does come. I know we will be thankful for this time of preparation. So, in the meantime I am taking a lot of naps, using warm rice packs to sooth the aches, and Calms Forte to help get sleep. Jon and I are trying to take dates when we can and enjoy this time we have together alone! It's just hard waiting and not knowing what the next few weeks will hold for us. More to come soon!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-4763014286892746062011-04-19T23:57:00.000-07:002011-04-19T23:57:45.060-07:00What's Keeping Me Entertained?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.winstonwachter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/herbdorothy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://blog.winstonwachter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/herbdorothy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have noticed while being pregnant I can't watch certain types of movies and TV shows, mainly heavy dramas or suspense are too much for me right now. I enjoy watching what is probably considered girlie shows, funny, romantic, or shows that don't have a lot of depth to them! I have also been enjoying documentaries on Netflix and thought I would share a few I really enjoyed:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.juliusshulmanfilm.com/">The Modernism of Julius Shulman</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Great documentary on Julius Shulman's architectural photography from the 1940's to recent times. Great if you love photography, modern design, and little old men! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.herbanddorothy.com/2010/">Herb & Dorthy</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved this movie! About a New York couple who started collecting art in 1950's from up and coming New York artists. They are a quirky, sweet, older couple and I love how their art collecting is borderline hoarding! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helveticafilm.com/">Helvetica</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">A documentary on Helvetica typography. It plays toward my love of graphic design. It's interesting and makes you look a fonts a little differently. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/">The Business of Being Born</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think every pregnant person and couple should watch this documentary. It confirmed for me our decision to see midwifes for our prenatal care and to have our baby in a birthing center instead of a hospital. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.focusfeatures.com/babies">Babies</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Jon and I loved this documentary! There are little words spoken and no narration, but there is so much said without words. It's a documentary that follows four babies from all over the world, Kenya, Tokyo, Mongolia, and San Francisco from birth to their first year. It makes you rethink how much you need for a baby and shows how babies are raised differently throughout the world.</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-49453491556382459622011-04-17T23:53:00.000-07:002011-04-17T23:53:52.554-07:00Week 36: Stay Inside Baby, It's Not Safe Out Here!It has been a crazy month and a half since I last wrote! We had been had been going about life as we knew it, pregnancy was and still is progressing fine. We were making preparations for the baby's arrival. We bought my Dad's Volvo station wagon from him for to have a car with a backseat and that would be adequate to drive our baby in. All was going along normal, until one afternoon Jon came home from work and told me he had been laid off from work, because they didn't have enough work for him. I think this could have been very stressful for us, but I believe the Lord's hand is it and there are reasons beyond what we can understand at times guiding us. I told Jon I was excited, when I think he thought I would be disappointed. I think the timing of this couldn't have been worse, which to me speaks to something bigger is going on. We are looking into opportunities for Jon for school and work, but we are not rushing it either. We are enjoying being together more and having quiet time together before our world changes! Our finances are tight right now, especially having to pay taxes this week, but God is good and provided for our needs. We have gas in our cars and food on our table, a roof over our heads, and each other. We are very blessed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEwVvR-xkTvJP6BWeQxnCaIVqB40Pi1KufGE943xRnwW2LAEw5xrt7UWSJx-ttzwRRx5l3ot4Kpb_xkdY6HpkvtWUjNYaDu0gbd4sML0AmIVk8iD4cM1RCtIS2coXmfsfCYa1/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEwVvR-xkTvJP6BWeQxnCaIVqB40Pi1KufGE943xRnwW2LAEw5xrt7UWSJx-ttzwRRx5l3ot4Kpb_xkdY6HpkvtWUjNYaDu0gbd4sML0AmIVk8iD4cM1RCtIS2coXmfsfCYa1/s320/IMG_0255.JPG" width="320" /></a>It seems the saying "When is rains, it pours," is true in this period of our life. We bought the co-sleeper for the baby to sleep in and put it together. I wanted to clean our room thoroughly before we put it next to our bed, so I had Jon help me move the mattresses. It was after this we found out we had a huge problem with mold coming through our walls through the paint behind our headboard. There is also mold on windows. It was almost enough to break both of us down. We weren't sure what to do, we were mostly frustrated and we were scared for our health and safety. We can't afford to move, we don't really want to move right now, but we do want to have a safe house for us to live in. We called our landlord and had him come and take a look at it. He wasn't sure what to do about it either, and then brought his handyman over to take a look at it too. They came up with the idea to replace the windows in the bedrooms and open up the wall to remove the problem areas, but in three weeks and I had five weeks left until the due date. This is a problem! We have been sleeping on the mattresses in our living room and our house is in a state of major disarray! I have a strong need for organization and things to be ready for the baby to come and this is a major obstacle to this happening. Things are not ideal right now, and I have been telling the baby to stay inside until they can finish the work in the house! The latest news from our landlord this week is, they will be going in from the outside to not cause a lot of dust and work inside the house. I am not sure when this will happen, but it is good to know our landlord is taking in consideration that I am pregnant and due very soon! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1SivbjBjJ0Rr3YJ1hTTjw3XNDbdXMjt3hmMaJSihitrvxF3y9A7nL5Jsodiq-uw_EMwhrj2ZDQDKXEk5uFAMkc83bgs2O_Ik__VO_TPsLl7EWkwSUre-V-NpMe8_sanxYjyK/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1SivbjBjJ0Rr3YJ1hTTjw3XNDbdXMjt3hmMaJSihitrvxF3y9A7nL5Jsodiq-uw_EMwhrj2ZDQDKXEk5uFAMkc83bgs2O_Ik__VO_TPsLl7EWkwSUre-V-NpMe8_sanxYjyK/s320/IMG_0261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>In the midst of stressful things happening. I am reminded daily we are still very blessed and have so much to be thankful for. We were blessed by our baby shower thrown for us a few weeks ago in Portland, we were overwhelmed by the many things given to us and the shared joy in our coming arrival. Now we have almost everything we need and are much more ready. We feel so blessed by our friends and family and know that our baby is going to be well loved!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-70986990965911062062011-03-07T18:22:00.000-08:002011-03-07T18:53:08.524-08:00Pregnancy CravingsLast night I really wanted a white cherry slushy from Target. Their eatery was closed and I missed my cold sweet goodness! The craving continued today, so I went to 7-11 and got a Slurpee on the way home from Trader Joe's. The thought of going to Target made me tired and the 7-11 was on route to our house. I was satisfied, yet feeling a little insecure walking out of the store with my big Slurpee on a cloudy and cool Seattle day, but it tasted good and now I can move on!<br />
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Pregnancy Cravings are weird and hard to ignore. I have craved many different things on and off over the last seven and a half months. Here is what has been on the list:<br />
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1. Root-beer shakes from specifically Zippy's Giant Hamburgers (they are the best)! <br />
2. Cinnamon Rolls specifically Alki Bakery (they are not open on the weekend, which causes panic)!<br />
3. White Cherry Slushy, Slurpee, or Kiwi-Strawberry Arctic Rushes from Dairy Queen<br />
4. Pumpkin bread, banana bread, or blueberry muffins<br />
5. Breakfast Sandwiches mainly from Starbuck's or from home.<br />
6. Clementine's. Oranges, or Orange juice.<br />
7. Bagels and cream cheese or Toast with butter and raspberry jam. <br />
8. Molasses or Snicker Doodle cookies.<br />
9. Sushi, I have found fully cooked and have been enjoying it this last month. <br />
10. Cheese, tomato, and pickle sandwiches.<br />
11. Irish Breakfast tea or London Fogs.<br />
12. Ice Cream.<br />
13. Waffles and pancakes.<br />
14. Smoothies.<br />
14. Apple juice and Gatorade. <br />
15. Margarita, but I am still waiting to have one... 10 more weeks! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0pz_nK4GSdDP31CcPVRLSgvkft9JSXX8pkcdlh4O0I6qqUfbGMXQ9nyE69HjAleupzaScRtgQ_HK5pKnnC3GbA1pm2RgZO-vmKKlbBzJUNwovvNRroglz6QC3qrs3SWaShgi/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0pz_nK4GSdDP31CcPVRLSgvkft9JSXX8pkcdlh4O0I6qqUfbGMXQ9nyE69HjAleupzaScRtgQ_HK5pKnnC3GbA1pm2RgZO-vmKKlbBzJUNwovvNRroglz6QC3qrs3SWaShgi/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This was the special dinner Jon made me for Valentine's Day. He said "It's a Waffle Monster for my Waffle Monster!" It was during the middle of my waffle craving phase and it was perfect, romantic, and still makes me smile! I love my husband! <br />
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What did/do you crave?Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-76967541847030959622011-03-06T23:27:00.000-08:002011-03-06T23:31:05.814-08:00Nesting Part 3: I take back everything I said before!<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DwellStudio-Baby-Stacking-Rings-Set/dp/B0026PITLY?ie=UTF8&tag=scissorsplusg-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="DwellStudio Baby Stacking Rings - Set Of 5 Rings" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0026PITLY&tag=scissorsplusg-20" width="132" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DwellStudio-Baby-Soft-Blocks-Set/dp/B001GA2MS6?ie=UTF8&tag=scissorsplusg-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="DwellStudio Baby Soft Blocks - Set Of 6" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B001GA2MS6&tag=scissorsplusg-20" /></a>In preparation of a coming baby shower I tried to finalize my registry lists, which made me realize that the majority of items on my Target registry were only available online and also available through <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> (the other place I registered). I decided to go with the original registry at <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/registry/search/index.jsp?_flowExecutionKey=_cE9349A18-30E6-2379-B78E-A77679BC663F_k0390BBCD-007D-9E81-4D77-87C925F993EC&overrideStore=TRUS">Babies R US</a> instead of the Target registry, because they have better selection at the store and online. I went to Babies R Us the other day and finalized my list. I would also like to say in a previous blog I mentioned that I don't like Carter's brand items, I would like to clarify and say I do like some of their clothing items, but not the furniture!<br />
Registering has not been my most favorite part of being pregnant. I will be glad when all of the prep will be completed!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-61543643952336003872011-03-01T23:14:00.000-08:002011-03-01T23:35:01.327-08:00Nesting Part 2: Getting Crafty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.ebayimg.com/14/%21CCwpzUQBGk%7E$%28KGrHqMOKn%21Ez5P9EUUBBNMNQqhuOw%7E%7E_12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i.ebayimg.com/14/%21CCwpzUQBGk%7E$%28KGrHqMOKn%21Ez5P9EUUBBNMNQqhuOw%7E%7E_12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBr113qBcxLXZ6w3knKxRHSm0Rm0fvXjtO4RtiGvr5p7hFzwuZciNX4SbvEdFrPnUqReoYkFXP6Nijpd6bIVcWiMlD0ybMrvumzfUQQsi4xD2Z8Tksi3JTUngBQ7W30peEyGL/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my last post I mentioned I bought a high chair off of Ebay, but what I didn't say was it's a vintage Cosco chrome high chair!.Wondering why I went with this highchair? First of all I love the style and that there is no plastic whatsoever on it, which makes me very happy! Secondly, it's much smaller than most high chairs on the market right now, which is great for our small house. Thirdly, it's easily customizable with new fabric or vinyl, which is something I took advantage of. And finally, I paid $22.51 for it and $18.00 for shipping, not too bad I'd say! I think it might have been less expensive than other vintage Cosco chairs, because it was covered in a weird creepy clown print, but not a problem when you plan on recovering it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_64EF8LoSOJTIAoNQ7JJ9Srw025aD-uvTOkQbIaTlUTBKTO7HvwKqnRT5UAFeWUdJI3WHTvyNUcsWdYcu-9frj5rdGg3uBgxCfCQCek9cF-TIn0NpIE-gPuILtnbrcTL1xjy/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_64EF8LoSOJTIAoNQ7JJ9Srw025aD-uvTOkQbIaTlUTBKTO7HvwKqnRT5UAFeWUdJI3WHTvyNUcsWdYcu-9frj5rdGg3uBgxCfCQCek9cF-TIn0NpIE-gPuILtnbrcTL1xjy/s200/IMG_0131.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOHI7xlZ7wsfPbVYlg7VsEMtaphcLEvcd6FnflFOpc7I9aPLVxKFbXNpTh6HRW8LNJNMDZObAe3ZsiRVhrscaNnwtLADIbA9l1usAAl-TVUwAKtgUK2TrwgW1CU3aOuc8x5DW/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOHI7xlZ7wsfPbVYlg7VsEMtaphcLEvcd6FnflFOpc7I9aPLVxKFbXNpTh6HRW8LNJNMDZObAe3ZsiRVhrscaNnwtLADIbA9l1usAAl-TVUwAKtgUK2TrwgW1CU3aOuc8x5DW/s200/IMG_0127.JPG" width="150" /></a>To recover the seat all you have to do is find a fabric or vinyl you want to cover it in. You'll need about 3/4 of a yard of 44" wide fabric. There are four screws on the seat back of the high chair (as seen in the photo), which holds the back of the chair on. Take a Phillips screwdriver and remove the four screws. Pull off the part with the cover. You can remove the old vinyl easily, because it is not attached or glued in. You'll want to use the old vinyl for a pattern to cut out the fabric you are using. Cut the fabric according to the pattern, but leaving half an inch to an inch of extra fabric around the pattern. There is padding on the seat already, but you could remove the padding and replace it . I used the same padding, because it was clean and I didn't really want to bother with it! I will say I have removed the padding from a vintage Cosco chair before and it was a total mess. You'll need a garbage bag close by and maybe a face mask, because it separates and gets all over. The next thing you'll want to center the fabric over the padding and pull it tightly around the seat back. I used tape to hold the fabric down, I am sure there are other things you could use that would look better, but no one will see it! After the fabric is secure on the seat back place it back on the chair and screw back in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX_JS7OzOgaVIEaKf_Z9WM_YkJIh2dRQcYfpw8IZqt8AWI1_kvGrWe-wO1H9uvtGs9MgZV1wVYHDV_ZTy28Fj9bkDvqCEw-Sdyaj5miE7K4azQOJ00YdW-1jJT2K4Ahd-5qg8/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX_JS7OzOgaVIEaKf_Z9WM_YkJIh2dRQcYfpw8IZqt8AWI1_kvGrWe-wO1H9uvtGs9MgZV1wVYHDV_ZTy28Fj9bkDvqCEw-Sdyaj5miE7K4azQOJ00YdW-1jJT2K4Ahd-5qg8/s200/IMG_0119.JPG" width="150" /></a>Next you'll turn over the chair and take the bottom seat apart. This is a little bit more tricky, because there are ten tabs (see photo) you'll need to pull back with either pliers and/or a Flat Head screwdriver. Take off the seat cover and repeat the same steps as done with the seat back. Replace the seat cover after cover is secure and fold tabs back down.<br />
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If you are using fabric you may want to cover the fabric with clear vinyl or use Scotchguard fabric protector, so it will not get stained when your child uses it. I am planning on using the fabric protector, but I still might go back and cover it with clear vinyl. I have time to decide and it's so easy to take off the covers and add the clear vinyl later. <br />
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Here is what our high chair looks like now. I'm so happy with how it turned out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRD-FKyT_W2UvueHkvjRQMqDMIBq8nAkH9d40yKK4-a3z6naIUx8a8ei_1fRawRJS82lazPvq9uzOS5vGNVbo4NfXG9L1SLnora4USr9_h8YrQ2JZnIUr9wfMkHespztSG0j1/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRD-FKyT_W2UvueHkvjRQMqDMIBq8nAkH9d40yKK4-a3z6naIUx8a8ei_1fRawRJS82lazPvq9uzOS5vGNVbo4NfXG9L1SLnora4USr9_h8YrQ2JZnIUr9wfMkHespztSG0j1/s400/IMG_0112.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-91258363265261128632011-02-26T23:02:00.001-08:002011-03-01T20:33:21.072-08:00Nesting: Part 1- Baby Registry = Panic!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBObOIQ26UI0j8_Yuj1jd8IRefNso7AO-kGCRtUlqhmea6C14oyVYkCICjCqR8hI8NqpW3qs8PvXEhrqHeNH_mBbQakNQCsvqTT7wqcJ5H9S5ML9mUQJNpIJN2wa7eAGNo_ta/s1600/SCAN0028.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBObOIQ26UI0j8_Yuj1jd8IRefNso7AO-kGCRtUlqhmea6C14oyVYkCICjCqR8hI8NqpW3qs8PvXEhrqHeNH_mBbQakNQCsvqTT7wqcJ5H9S5ML9mUQJNpIJN2wa7eAGNo_ta/s320/SCAN0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579202837095430386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nesting is a funny time in pregnancy. I am motivated more than I have been in the last 6 months, but it has also come with some anxiety too. I don't know what I need or want for the baby and have felt at times it would be easier if I knew the sex of the baby or even meet the baby before I start registering for things. I would also like to see what I need as we go along, because I think the stores try to sell you on things that you might need, but probably can live with out. I have been thinking about what did people do before the big baby stores came along. My guess is people had less stuff and maybe a few more inconveniences, but their babies grew to be adults just fine. The other thing that I have struggled with is not finding anything that I really like. I don't want a lot of plastic crap that is made in China, which is in most of the big stores out there, it makes me cringe when I see it, especially brands like Graco and Carter's. I am sorry if you like them, that is fine I'm not saying other people can't, but I just don't! I don't think they have any great design aesthetics and the matchy-matchy, soft colors, poor quality, and the price tag attached to them are the main things that bother me about them. I am probably weird, I know that already, but I just cannot pull myself to register for stuff that I hate! So, I decided I should try to find somewhere else to register.<br /><br />I decided to delete my first registry and start over at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/baby/12CMK1HC0T96T">Amazon.com</a>. Here is why, they have everything you could possible want for your baby and they also have this amazing button, which lets you add things you love from other websites to your registry. Amazing! I have stuff from Amazon.com, Target, Babies are Us, Tottini, Baby Gap, Blabla, and others on my registry and it's all stuff that I love and am excited about! The other amazing thing about Amazon.com is right now you can join<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/mom/signup/welcome"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Amazon Mom </span></a>for free and they give you many discounts on baby stuff, but they also give you free two day shipping (also known as Prime shipping) on all of Amazon.com for joining. This comes in handy when you are shopping for the holidays, for gifts, grocery items, books, and well just about anything. I have become addicted! Sometime I don't want to go out shopping or when I am out of something like prenatal vitamins, I buy it on Amazon.com and I get it two days later delivered to my doorstep shipped for free! It's going to be even more handy after the baby comes. Anyway, all of this to say this is where I decided to register and I am excited about it! I also have made a registry at <a href="http://www.target.com/registry/baby/110REJ965GRX1">Target</a>, for all of the people who want to go into a store and pick something out or are not comfortable shopping online. I have to say I was a little disappointed with the selection at the Target store by my house, but they actually have a lot more stuff online that I love, like <a href="http://www.target.com/b?node=393200011">Dwell Studio</a> for Target, bedding, bibs, and clothes.<br /><br />The other thing I have been doing in my nesting phase is shopping on Craigslist, Ebay, and Etsy for items that I really want for our baby, but cannot afford to buy new and would rather buy used anyway. So far I have bought our Peg Perego <a href="http://us.pegperego.com/babyproducts-catalog/2010/Pliko+Switch+Travel+System+2010"> stroller and travel system</a> in Orange for $50 from someone on Craigslist and our high chair, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Svan-Bouncer-Chocolate-Orange/dp/B001CYBCK0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1298793771&sr=1-1">baby bouncer</a> , <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Lionheart-washPOD-Bathe-Blue/dp/B000QIJ020/ref=sr_1_14?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1298793882&sr=1-14">baby bath</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Lionheart-bebePod-Plus-Orange/dp/B000R8YK2E/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1298793947&sr=1-7">baby sea</a>t off of ebay all for 50-75% less than what they normally retail at. I started to buy some of this really early on in the pregnancy, because I knew I wanted these items and kept my out for them on Ebay and Craigslist. It has worked out really well and I am excited to use them when our baby comes!<br /><br />I am still not sure if I have everything on my registry that I need to have, if you think I have missed something or have suggestions of must haves please leave me a comment! If it's Graco or Crater's brand I may have to pass, but promise I will try consider all suggestions openly!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-79482166647278060582011-02-21T20:34:00.000-08:002011-03-01T20:32:16.196-08:0028 Weeks: Hello Third Trimester! Reflections on things I wish people told me about being pregnant.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg_xf06cGWk8HcTKtWstst83SMsvwYUjnuQVFROD72W7DSvYqq12vWMtTUmtOo0I4C5A1w8KVWWQyxkZzVRjX56x7-lRMlRpIPvhQZBGU2W2VGjp_W0Ib98xUDctgNUriRDwd/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg_xf06cGWk8HcTKtWstst83SMsvwYUjnuQVFROD72W7DSvYqq12vWMtTUmtOo0I4C5A1w8KVWWQyxkZzVRjX56x7-lRMlRpIPvhQZBGU2W2VGjp_W0Ib98xUDctgNUriRDwd/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576381584496466978" border="0" /></a><br />On Sunday we hit 28 weeks and I cannot be more trilled! It's another milestone in our pregnancy and now I feel we are on the downhill race to meeting our little peanut!<br /><br />I would like to take this moment to share with you somethings most people to do not tell you about being pregnant. I feel the need share this, because I got the usual weekly update from TheBump.com informing me that this week I should expect to see colostrum leaking from my breasts! I was not prepared to read that nor do I have nursing pads ready in case this does actually happen! So, in case you are newly pregnant, thinking about getting pregnant, or just plain curious let me share some things other people do not often tell you about being pregnant.<br /><br />First off, from the time my pee test showed positive marks that I was pregnant, this also seemed to active my bladder. I have to pee all of the time, but especially at night. One night in particular I counted 5 times I had to get up and pee. This does not equal a lot of good quality sleep to be had. It wasn't until week 24 that I actually slept through the night without having to get up and pee. I woke up and turned to Jon and said, "A miracle has happened! I slept through the night without having to get up and pee!" This miracle lasted about three weeks and then I was woken up by heartburn and a baby moving around so much I worried that it was having a seizure, it turns out that it just had the hiccups!<br /><br />While I am talking about bathroom things, no one told me that being pregnant would sometimes cause the worst constipation you will ever have. The problem is unlike none pregnant constipation where you may not have the urge to go and feel all bloated and uncomfortable; Pregnant constipation must be a preparation for child birth, because you have the immediate urge to go, but you are quickly met with the most uncomfortable, unmovable, and often very large poops! This recently happened while we were at my in-laws house. I had to find Jon to ask him for help locating the plunger. He found it and helped unclog the toilet for me. Later he commented on the size of what was blocking the toilet, I was proud that he took such notice and care for me!<br /><br />I guess there is one more thing that happens in the bathroom while you are pregnant and that is the morning sickness. For me it was at night and in the morning, but not everyday. The first time I got sick, it was because Jon was making breakfast for me. I usually cook the sausage patties in the microwave and he elected to cook them on the stove. The kitchen smelled of grease, which filled the air in our house, need less to say, my breakfast didn't stay down to long. What people do not tell you is 'morning sickness' can happen anytime! One night we turned off the lights and went to bed. Jon started snuggle into me. I had been trying to fight off the nausea for awhile and as he came into kiss me I yelled, "I think I'm going to throw up!" I quickly got up to ran to the toilet. I came back to bed after cleaning myself up and Jon asked if I was okay and then asked sweetly, if the thought of kissing him makes me want to vomit?! "No, Babe, it's just what happens while you're pregnant apparently!"<br /><br />The last thing I will talk about is the weight gain. I have struggled with my weight most of my life. I have hypothyroidism, which I diagnosed with when I was a senior in high school. From my freshman year of high school to my senior year of high school I gained over 100 pounds. Yes, I can contribute some of this to unhealthy eating and lack of exercise, but my thyroid was also not working, which meant that my metabolism was not working, my periods were never really got going, I was depressed, and more sensitive to temperature changes, etc. So, since that time in my life I have tried to watch what I eat, exercise, and stay at a healthy weight. This has fluctuated over the years, but while you are pregnant you are inevitability going to gain weight and you should reconcile the differences in how you look at your weight as soon as possible. I will say this is harder said then done. I have gone into my monthly midwife appointments cringing as I step on the scale. The last three appointments I have gained 10 pounds per month, I asked my midwifes at last months appointment if this was normal for my height. They said, I shouldn't be too worried, and that they don't know what is normal pregnancy weight gain is for me yet. Last week I went in for my monthly checkup and got on the scale, this month I gained 12 pounds, I felt defeated, because I am inching closer and closer to where I was in my senior year of high school, before I was put on thyroid medication, my heaviest weight ever. I know I am pregnant and I will lose it after I have the baby, but it is hard knowing I still have three more months of weight gain. The books I have read say I am probably going to gain pound a week from here on out, I am hoping that is all I will put on! I feel heavy, I feel slowed down, and tonight I had to ask Jon for help with putting on my socks, because it's uncomfortable to bend over and do it myself! He was happy to help and was excited I was asking for his assistance. I am grateful for him and his encouragement. The midwives had me take a glucose test last week and are going to check my thyroid levels this week. The glucose test came back with great results, so good news there, no gestational diabetes! For, now I am trying to enjoy my baby belly, bigger breasts, and the help offered to me!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-61148284027554862102010-12-04T21:58:00.000-08:002011-03-01T20:34:09.156-08:00Prenancy Life So Far...If you hadn't heard Jon and I are having a baby! Our due date is May 15th, and we are very excited. I haven't posted in a while, mainly because I have been exhausted most of the time and not feeling like doing anything. I am lucky if I get something in our bellies, that looks like a normal dinner, Jon has been very kind to not mind if I ask if we can get take out instead of cooking. Blogging is the last thing on my mind, I must say!<br /><br />The first trimester was rough, I felt sea-sick most of the time, but my naturopath gave me the okay to eat things I crave even if I have an intolerance to them. So,I have been enjoying eggs, milk, cheese, and bread again, without too many problems, which also helped with the nausea. I guess the baby and I need what those foods have to offer, more than the problems they have caused before.<br /><br />I was eating a lot of breakfast sandwiches and tea instead of coffee, until the old breakfast sandwich wasn't staying down anymore. I went back to eating gluten-free pancakes for awhile, and smoothies from Jamba Juice. I thought that I was done with the morning sickness, but a couple of days after I was eating my pancakes and eggs and complained to Jon that my stomach wasn't feeling good. It was about an hour later everything came up and I just went back to bed. It turned out that I had gotten the stomach flu and couldn't keep anything down for over 24 hours. The next morning I called our mid-wife practice (yes, we are going with a mid-wife instead of a doctor, but more on that later). Heather, the Mid-wife on-call answered and I told her what had been going on. I was worried about our baby more than anything. Heather told us we could either go to the ER to get an IV or meet her at the practice in an hour. We decided to go with the second option. Heather let us lay on one of the queen size birthing beds, as she gave me two bags of IV fluids. During that time we got to hear the baby's heartbeat again and it sounded perfect. Heather said, "It's amazing how well protected they are in there?" I felt a huge sense of relief after that and I felt a whole lot better after the IV's were done. By the next day I feeling almost like myself again. I was so grateful for Heather and for her helping us bypass the ER visit. It would have been a lot more expensive and time consuming having to go that route. This is one of the reasons we decided to go with a Mid-wife instead.<br /><br />Being pregnant is an amazing thing. I am in awe of how we are able to create new life and how our bodies naturally grow and change to take on this life. I will try to post more now that I am out of the sickness and tired zombie phase!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-62373608401157317202010-11-15T21:45:00.000-08:002011-03-01T20:33:47.537-08:00The Van<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs166.snc4/37618_447397407245_765397245_6012013_4656871_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs166.snc4/37618_447397407245_765397245_6012013_4656871_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I would like to introduce you to our new van! Jon did a work-trade for the previous owner and this is how he paid Jon! I have always wanted an old van like this or a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">VW</span> bus, but I think this is far better than any <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">VW</span>, because it's a Ford! I love driving it and look forward to the things we are going to be able to bring home with it and go do with it. More pictures to come I'm sure.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-394869530927275892010-05-12T22:05:00.000-07:002010-05-12T22:55:30.967-07:008 steps on: How to plan a wedding in 8 weeks!1. Pick a date. See if the most important guests can make the date. If most people are free stick to that date.<br /><br />2. Pick a place to get married that is flexible. We are getting married on the ferry boat in Seattle, there are multiple times everyday what we could get married. There are also parks or the beach that allow weddings, which are inexpensive and beautiful. We liked the ferry because it's where had our second first date, but it's beautiful, unique, fun, and comes with seating!<br /><br />3. Know people who are pastors, photographers, event planners and caterers, and cake decorators and hire them! I am lucky enough to be friends with, related to or soon will be related to people in all of these types of fields!<br /><br />4. You do not have to buy a dress or suit 3 months before your wedding. I bought a wedding dress off of the rack at a bridal shop and saved 65% off of the original price. If you need it altered it might take more time, but I was lucky to find one that didn't need altered. It was also the only one that was not 2 inches too short for me. Apparently they make dresses for women 5'9" and under, not 5'11"!<br /><br />5. Skip the wedding planner, wedding party, and buy a notepad! Start a to-do list on the note pad and keep focused on checking things off. The check off is a reward we both look forward to and it has kept us both sane.<br /><br />6. Keep it true to who you both are. Our style is usually different than the taste of others and other people will tell you what you should or should not do, based off of their own personal tastes. Stick to what you want, but be open to suggestions.<br /><br />7. Be creative, my mom told me this more often than not when I was growing up. I have sewed table clothes and table runners, become best friends with Goodwill, Michael's (and their 40% off coupons), Paper Zone, and the dollar store.<br /><br />8. Be f<img class="gl_spell" border="0" alt="Check Spelling" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" />lexible and keep it simple. There was no major thing I had to have for our wedding...no wait <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> not true, I had to have a photographer! But, the main thing is I am just excited about marrying Jon and starting our life together. I want my family and close friends there and I don't want it to cost a fortune. I want it to be memorable and fun and about Jon and I. We have have had to say no, that's not what we want to have or that's too much a lot, and put priority on things that speak to who we are not the industry standards. There will be stress, there will be people who are offended for one reason or another, but in the end it will come together!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-18189344437004364402010-05-12T21:26:00.000-07:002010-05-12T21:51:44.449-07:00The rummors are true we are getting married!Almost five weeks ago Jon asked me to marry him, I said yes! There is more to this story of course, but I will save those stories for another time. We are getting married in 23 days and no, I am not pregnant! Why are we getting married so quickly? Well, Jon and I have dated for a long time and we are ready to get married. Other reasons for our date, my dad is starting chemo again the week after our wedding, he has treatment almost every year now, but we never know how long he will have to have it or how he will do with it. I prayed a request 10 years ago that my dad would be there on my wedding day to walk me down the aisle and the Lord has answered my prayers and I am so grateful. We are excited and looking forward to what is ahead!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-82450073470249064472010-03-29T21:27:00.000-07:002010-03-29T22:58:03.946-07:00Crazy Commute Home: Portland Riots.I left work today late, because I was painting one of our offices at work. I decided to not change out of my painting clothes and just head home. Things were pretty normal until I got to the Park Blocks, I heard sirens and looked over to my left and saw one police car after another racing after each other. I didn't chase them, but I was headed the same direction to go home. I pulled into a Plaid Pantry parking lot to get closer to see what was happening. I think it was the inner Goonie in me coming out! I followed people running with cameras toward a crowd. There was a couple hundred people and about 75 police officers in riot gear, on horses, on bicycles, on motor bikes and some standing. I had come to the head of a confrontation between police and Anarchists marching in protest of recent <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/02/portland_police_release_report.html">police shootings</a>.<br /><br />I crossed the street through the parked police cars to get a better view and pulled out my phone to take some videos.<br /> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyzvYpGoVvBDLphWMfqaHu3FRfQZ1_0JNCeqbL-27Zp080b66readgpziueQQKnUBTVXtGZpCwOKhI' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />I looked over and there was one of my customers, we said hello to each other and continued to watch what was happening! Just around then someone got arrested, I'm not sure what he did or what he would be charged with, but the crowd started shouting "Let Him Go!" The police didn't let him go, they took him in.<br /> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyp91gshwO1EwGU5vf27pQsxuZTKC5LoQSzvBGRbqluKBeVDyEQSdo-4UBHACwXx1fvVzIrgWke41s' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />About 5 minutes later the protesters moved over to the next street. I had gone back to my car to head home, but I had become blocked blocked in by the traffic. I looked over and saw the protesters and police had met again across the parking lot from me. I went over to look, since I couldn't get out of the parking lot anyway. I noticed that I kept standing next to the guy from Channel 2 News. I think I felt safer with the News crews close by, but in my painting clothes I looked like I belonged with the protesters!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQ2fR_NLKHSv5qm4LIfP6xi6nr1YvroJ3SLMRWWO8gSriTdGyO-REj_QjK_7jOzYHD8PSxifwq5R8' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />I followed the news crew to get a better view. More arrests happened, then the protesters moved out and so did the police. I looked over and saw the riot police standing in a line walking towards me. I got a little scared, because they were now between me and my car pushing me toward the crowd. One of the police officers told me to move and I asked politely if I could just go to my car. He grabbed my arm and pushed me saying "Move Out!" It was then I thought I might be next to be arrested! I ended up in the street and waited until the crowd disbursed and I was clear to head back to my car.<br /> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxs8KhCGOQwdbgRYnTdVmx7KaJkjTByhloni4qJfTcspp7z-FiUHfcSlfXDg-ZnczOMhrocWj_ZMbo' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />My personal favorite video from the evening!<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx6t507o4wFujRGH3fGrZoivtCI9dM4Dj6O3SOMkUXufSbi_TjfhfOT6zd3xobvL5Al4ZGvvjhnRbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />Before I left I went into the Plaid Pantry and bought a diet soda and a snack. I had seen the guy working at the Plaid at the beginning of the riots. He had come outside to look at what was happening too. I thanked him for letting me park there and told him to have a good night and he told me to have safe travels home. I left the store and headed to my car and ran into a homeless kid before I got there. He asked to borrow my phone and jokingly asked for some of my snack. I gave him my phone for a minute and some of my sour patch kids I had just bought. He thanked me and returned my phone to me. I then finally got back into my car, but for a moment I felt apart of a bigger community. No longer was just driving by to get home, but I stood, watched, and participated in something bigger happening around us. It was a crazy commute, but worth the stop.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23958768.post-18609458506050405772010-03-16T16:58:00.000-07:002010-03-25T15:49:27.914-07:00If you are still out there, I've decided to return!Jon reminded me this weekend that I have not blogged in a while. My response to him was, "since moving back in with the Rent's, I haven't felt like talking about my life!" Actually this is only somewhat true, ever since last July I have been living with my parents in, which has meant a longer commute to work, not a lot of space to create, taking a drawing class in the fall, seeing Jon more, having people around all of the time and not having a lot of extra energy to do the things I normally do. Needless to say, yes I am saving money, but it has cost me in other areas too!<br /><br /><br />I would love to post my drawings from my semester Intro to Drawing course. I did get an "A" in the class, but more than that I was proud of my work. I will try and post photos soon. I would love to take more classes this next semester, but I had a hard time balancing work, life, homework, and class two nights a week. I seem to be tired all of the time, and I think that is mostly because I am busy and I am an introvert and I don't get a lot of quite time to refuel! Something that has helped with this is running.<br /><br />I started running last summer and did a training program called "Couch to 5k." If you want to become a runner, I would use this program. The first week you run 5 -1 minute intervals. I got up to a 3 miles last summer, then I moved in with my parents and put that aside along with a lot of other things! But, I started running again in January, not as a New Years resolution so much, but more as a I need to get back into shape and my class is over, so I have no excuse resolution! Another part of my resolution, was to go to the Chiropractor and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Naturopath</span> to get back into health again. I found this also very helpful, which I'll talk about more in the future. I decided to start the Couch to 5k program again, which was supported by my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Naturopath</span> prescribing me a 5 or 8k and a half marathon this year, in order for me to keep motivated to run. I ran the Portland Shamrock Run-8k a few weekends ago and I am now training for a half marathon in July. I have wanted to run a marathon for a really long time now, and I am feeling more and more confident that this is possible. If anyone would like to be my training buddy or join my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">cheerleading</span> squad please let me know! My parents and Jon were there at the finish line and kept me motivated throughout my training program and that day of the run. Thank you to them!<br /><br />Now that I have come back to here I hope to write more often. I have more to talk about and my goal is to write at least once a week if not more! Please feel free to comment, I would love to know that you are out there listening!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01032204554178315672noreply@blogger.com4