Long days and short days

So, we are adjusting and on a pretty good schedule (Louis & I at home and AJ from a far). Basically, I put Louis down around 10-11 pm at night and the past two wonderful nights he's slept 10 hours!! :) then he awakes and he eats then up for 10 minutes and then another nap for 1-3 hours. Then we are up for the day. (I know we like our sleep and to sleep in :)). Then through out the day he tends to fight his naps. He cries and usually I can rock him to sleep in his bouncer. But this week will be different, because NANA IS COMING :) (MY MOMMY). I am so excited. No one from my family has met little Louis yet and oh it will be amazing with some extra help around here!!! Louis can roll over now from belly to back and he's working so hard on back to belly. He tends to get half way (on his side) and ... just falls back, on his back. That is it for now though. :)






Knocked out!!!




Just hanging out with mom :)

xoxo
Stephanie

Mostly ups and some downs

So, lets start with the downs, AJ and I have had some lack of communication but the good news is we are on the right track. Another bad news is that I tried to get Louis to sleep in his crib but it didn't work... UNTIL Ashley showed me a way and he slept fine last night. from 9:35 pm to 4 am then went back to bed at 4:30 am and woke up at 6:30 am then another nap from 7:20 am to 10 am and then we were up for the day *which is today* and we went all around town and did my baby make a fuss or a peep? NO, because he is the best angel baby ever! and when I put him in his crib tonight and put his projector on .... he went to sleep BY HIS SELF. no mama needing to pat him to sleep or anything. I love him so much, he makes everything better with a smile or a coo. Another up is my mom will BE HERE IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS! I can't wait. She's never been here, she hasn't met Louis, and she's going to cook so much for us :) It's been challenging to be a "single" mom and I say single because it's just Louis and I and the pups at the house. But I know I love my husband and I support what he does. Anyways, this summer is the hottest yet (that I've experienced in South Dakota). I feel bad, because I want to walk the dogs but I don't want to take Louis out in the hot sun and it's challenging to walk 2 100 lb labs and steer a stroller while melting under the sun. Welp that is it for now. Until later ....

Almost been a week

So, it has almost been a week since AJ left and I think Louis, the pups, and I are doing pretty darn well! Louis has been some what fussy but not to bad! I have come to find my self bored which disappoints me. I feel like if I find something I can do ... Louis wakes up or just starts getting fussy, but that is motherhood I guess. Also, I feel horrible finding myself being bored because I am so grateful for AJ allowing me to be a stay at home mom. I am looking forward to my mother coming up here though. I know I'll get annoyed at times but I am still so excited. She has not met Louis yet, and she is gunna cook THAI FOOD WOO HOOO!!! MmMmm. My mother in law and dad might come up too!!! I am grateful that they are going to come up! The pups are doing better than I thought. A lot of the time they want to go for a walk but it is way to hot (hotter than usual in South Dakota) to take Louis out. I am glad they did not get sick like last deployment. I've been looking into cloth diapering and its amazing how many kinds their are! We will start buying them when we get these credit cards paid off. That's about it for now. Things are going better than I thought. That's it for now. :)

The Birth of Louis Everett

The Birth Story of Louis Everett

It started on Easter (April 24th, 2011) around 10 a.m. when I awoke. It began with a little leak which I thought was pee and then it was a more frequent leak which I then called my sister (a nurses assistant and a mother) and she said I should call the doctor. So I call labor and delivery and they said to lay down and drink something for 15 minutes and if I get up and theirs a gush that’s my water but then said if I didn’t feel contractions it wasn’t my water (little did she know I was having contractions and didn’t feel them). I do the lay down thing and a little water came out but not a gush (no more than it had done before) but throughout the day I wore a panty liner (I did that anyways because my mucus plug had been coming out). I had this calm but knowing feeling that I would have little Louis the next day, although I was doubting myself all day thinking it wasn’t my water (I had made up my mind that since most peoples water doesn’t break mine wouldn’t, especially since my mothers and sisters never broke). I had let my husband know that I really think it’s my water that’s been leaking out and I came to that conclusion definitely because I took a nap and when I got up I ran to the bathroom and was just leaking and so I calmly got my stuff together for the hospital and made my husband call my mother in law (I still had doubts that it wasn’t my water so I thought instead of having my husband drive me and then maybe getting sent home and having to get up early for work and a PT test , I’d have my MIL drive me and if it was my water he could come with all the stuff). (Around 8:30 p.m.) Then when she got there I was in the middle of making my birth plan (picking the first link that showed up). And then we were on our way, the whole way there I could feel her anxiousness and I was completely calm. (FLASH BACK!!!) My previous appointment on the 21st I was at 3 centimeters and 60% effaced and baby was head down. Also, she said if I even make it to next week’s appointment (the 29th) then we’d talk induction (she really didn’t think I would make it). Anyways back to the story, I checked in to the ER and labor and delivery came down with a wheel chair for me (and I kindly asked if I didn’t have to sit in it (I was capable of walking so why not) and I walked up there. She had me change into a gown and then she checked my cervix and said I was 3 centimeters and 50% effaced and then tested me to see if it was my water. TO MY SHOCK it was and she left the room to get papers and stuff as I called AJ to get his ass to the hospital and when she came back in I was on the phone ….confirming over and over again that this is no drill and he needs to get here (I sorta got anxious at that point but for the most of the day and labor I was calm as ever and that’s not my personality). She then hooked me up to the machines to hear Louis’ heart beat and all that jazz, then she says oh there’s a contraction (which I did not what so ever feel). Finally, AJ gets there and for a couple hours I just walk around, trying to dilate more and ….gushing, because after she checked my cervix ….. it was like waterfalls from that point on. Well, the OBGYN on duty (which I was scared because I really wanted my OBGYN and she wasn’t on call so I wanted to wait till tomorrow if possible so she could deliver my baby). Was strongly insisting I be put on Pitocin because it had been a while since my water broke and didn’t want to risk an infection so I agreed (but I wanted no drugs at all and do everything natural). After a while I was at a 6 and started feeling some contractions but it was like cramps and I tried to sleep some but let me tell you those beds are so uncomfortable and bad very bad for your back, therefore I was tossing and turning and a nurse came in and said since the monitor keeps losing the babies heart rate they wanted to stick something in his head to keep track and I said NO! (I didn’t want anything unnecessary to be done unless it HAD to) so I said I’ll just stay in one position and did and I was very uncomfortable but my little Louis is totally worth it. Time went by and before I knew it I was around an 8 or 9 and the contractions were HORRIBLE. I learned luckily the DAY before in my birth class breathing techniques and to either focus on something in the room or close your eyes and breathe through and think of something and I thought of my wonderful crazy labs. Lainey how she cuddles in bed like the cutest thing ever and Cosmo how happy he gets when we get home dancing like a crazy boy. (I might have been petting the air like the dogs were there to calm me down). During 9 centimeters I felt so much pressure down there and I had to squeeze and try my best to breathe through that and at that time I gasped for air and with each breath I asked my husband to get the nurse because I needed to push. At a 9 I was telling myself over and over, “I can’t do this, I can’t do this and then I’d throw in that I can do this, I have to, besides it’s too late.” (one of the reasons not to get drugs is because I didn’t want to be confined to the bed (even though with Pitocin you are) and I did not want a catheter). So the nurse came in to tell me to do some practice pushes and I did and she told the other nurse to call my OBGYN (oh it’s the next day so she was at work and I was so happy!!!) During these practice pushes and then on I could not control my screams. I won’t lie, it hurt so very much, but it was what a women’s body is made to do. So when the doctor got there she told me to push through the contractions and I did and while I did I closed my eyes as I did with all the contractions and went crazy. I was yelling (uncontrollably), grabbing a nurses leg because I wasn’t looking what I was grabbing, telling another nurse to put my hair up because I got a burning hot flash, asking for a rag, and pulling a pillow over my face because ….it just plain out hurt. Then with about 9 contractions in I pushed out a beautiful 7 pound 1 ½ ounce, 19 inch boy named Louis. She asked if I wanted to hold him (straight out the womb) and I just held out my hands and then daddy cut the cord which splashed on my leg. Then he was taking to get checked out and such, while the OBGYN finished me up. My legs through the whole labor were shaky, but especially during the delivery and the stitching up. She delivered the placenta which was such a breeze (I thought it would hurt as well) but it actually felt ….what I would call a relief and then she stitched me up and that was not pleasant. I had 1st degree tears and she said she put numbing stuff on but I felt it all and not only that I saw the long “thread” she was stitching with and my legs were so wobbly I thought how is she going to stitch this up safely when I am shivering so much, but she did. Then I got to hold my baby skin to skin for a good while and that was the best moment of the day. Staring into a human you had part in MAKING! that is just an indescribable feeling. Then AJ went with baby to check him out more while I was going to take a wash off shower and try to pee (which is extremely scary after having stitches and giving birth, but I couldn’t so she said if I don’t go the bathroom then I’d have to have a catheter so I made myself do it. And it hurt but giving birth hurts worse. Then we were moved into our recovery room and was getting annoyed because every hour or even thirty minutes passed someone was in the room (I know I know doing their job) but it was so annoying. I was getting confused with the breast feeding (with by then on my 4th nurse and a lactation consultant all telling me different things on how to breastfeed and ….it hurt so badly). I just wanted to get out of there and I did 26 hours after I gave birth. I could not wait to get home with my new family. I also was very and am still (May 6th, 2011) very mobile and am trying to keep being mobile. At our first doctor appointment Louis was 12% under his birth weight so we had to supplement with formula which bummed me out because I felt I wasn’t doing my job well and breast feeding was …way to horrible to me. Although the base lactation consultant came to my house that day and taught me a new way, and a better way to breast feed. Then 2 days later Louis was only 7% under from his birth weight which made me happy. Later, Louis got nipple confusion so I just pump now and supplement what I can’t produce with Organic formula. It sucks that breast feeding was so hard for me and frustrating but we tried and at least he’s still getting some breast milk rather than none. I can’t wait till his 2 week appointment to see if he’s back or past his birth weight!!! That’s my birth story.

Obviously, this was written a while ago but never published, I know its long and very very detailed but I never knew things about birth and if I can inform some soon to be mom of something she didn't know then I think it helps. I wanted to know everything I was going to endure. Louis is a very healthy boy and a chubby monkey. He happens to be in the 95% of his weight and age range. He coo's and melts my heart everyday. I love being a mommy!

Deployment Blues and Happy new mommy

So, life has definitely changed this year! I turned 22, my husband just deployed for 6 months, oh and I had a wonderful, beautiful, and happy baby boy!!! I'll post the labor story after this, but I will mention my water leaked all day and I was admitted Easter Sunday and had to be induced so I wouldn't risk infection and had him with no pain medication the next day :) So, back to this deployment thing. It is the second one we will go through and it will be harder. Why you ask? because I have an almost 3 month old by myself and two huge labs to take care of, not to mention I am afraid of all the things under the sun, such as AJ missing out on Louis' firsts and accomplishments. All the huge holidays are during this deployment and yes I know I know Louis won't remember it but I will and it kills me that he has to miss this. I know "it is what we signed up for" but it does not say I can not bitch and whine about it. Don't get me wrong I am soooooooooooo happy and I support my husband and his amazing career but plain out deployments suck! I fear for the winter. South Dakota winters are harsh and so is the wind that comes with it. The new owners of where we stay have a deployed spouse program to mow our lawns and shovel the snow but.... really how fast can they shovel all the deployed spouses out? I am just glad I stock up on formula and diapers and wipes usually! Anyways, I am so thankful that our family is coming out. My mother should arrive in about 2 weeks and then maybe his mother in law and then my dad is trying to make it in September. It's sad that my family couldn't make it out for the birth of Louis but if they come during the deployment it will help bundles. I am so grateful that I have so much support here as well. AJ is the few enlisted people in an amazing squadron that offer SO much help and support. Not to mention they have monthly get togethers to get out of the house and have fun. and duh don't forget the friends I made that are always there to lend a helping hand. I feel better and more prepared this deployment for me, but the challenge this deployment is baby Louis. Goals for this deployment is join Weight Watchers (I've seen and heard many great things about this program and I know if I am paying for it I'll have to stick with it), try to de-clutter this house before the move, and make it easy for Louis, AJ, and the dogs. AJ and I have amazing things to look forward to after this deployment so that's what is keeping hopes up. We hope to pay off debt and his car, get a new SUV, go to the mall of America (when he comes back) then when we move in March 2012 we will FINALLY go home to Florida for 2 weeks and debut Louis and have his birthday there (he will be 10 almost 11 months and we won't know anybody in Texas so we'll just celebrate there!) This September 2011 will mark 3 years of leaving home (Florida) and I am so excited to move 15 hours away! San Angelo, TX won't be fabulous but it's closer to home, only 4 hours from Dallas, they have food they don't have here. and no harsh winters but extreme baking summers! So, I hope to keep this blog up during the deployment! Look out for more!

thought it was entertaining

Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women, as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn’t mean me – then you should probably read this twice.

1. The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is ‘Congratulations!’ with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you a jerk.

2. Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father – not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase ‘my baby’.

3. On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy, birth, and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it…

4. The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone’s stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix, or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5. Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight…ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is ‘You look fabulous!’.

6. By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don’t need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes. Nor do we need to know how badly you will feel for us because we will be pregnant during the summer and how glad you are that YOU will not be pregnant this coming summer.

7. There is a reason that tickets to Labor & Delivery are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL, or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. You weren’t invited to be there when the baby was created, you probably won’t be invited to be there when it comes out either.

8. Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital, and the parent’s home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to ‘help out’. If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

9. If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules, and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

10. The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.

Sincerely,

All the Pregnant Women in the World

since last time ....

So, December has been pretty well to me. Worked A LOT! but I feel better now that I am in the 2nd trimester. I finally got some days off this weekend and this upcoming week. I have all but one present to get for Christmas. This year I think will be small in presents because of economy and the fact we shouldn't go all out because we have a baby on the way. This past weekend we had our Christmas party and it was fun to see all the ladies, since I have not been to any events since AJ has been home. About three ladies put their hands on my belly haha. I continue and love to see my belly move but have yet to feel anything *as far as I know* Although I did end up going the doctors last week because of some intense pain in my abdominal region, turns out its rounded ligament stretching (which hurts like a b). I really hope that I can make it back home around February and everything works out. We find out the sex of the baby hopefully during our appt. this Friday!!! and of course I am beyond EXCITED!!!!! Pictures are to come of the Christmas party and baby. I have gained 6 lbs. since preggo. I feel my appetite is equal or less then pre-pregnancy. For now thats all I got so Updates later :)