tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53873315648946605632024-03-05T20:47:15.617-08:00Howling at the MoonCarrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-70854933923898372892011-08-22T23:19:00.000-07:002011-08-22T23:33:55.297-07:00Another School Year About to StartAs long as everything goes at it should and I keep my shit together, this will be my last year as an undergrad. I am excited about school because it means interacting with adults again and getting out of the house on a regular basis, having a schedule. It also means Cole is going back to school and playing with other kids, someone else gets to do diaper duty and clean up after him. Good stuff. We had a lot of fun this summer, but I didn't get out and take him to playgrounds as much as I wanted to. I am so bad at creating a schedule for myself when I don't have something to go and do. I have learned this summer that I am NOT cut out to be a stay at home mom and homemaker. Some women are good at that. I am not one of them. While I did love having that time with Cole, I feel like it is better for both of us when I am in responsible mode for school. I just allow myself to relax and slip back into bad habits over the summer. Cole's bed time was ridiculously late most of the summer. I am ready to initiate a nice regular bedtime so I can make sure he gets enough sleep. We'll see how that works out. *smirk*
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<br />I thought I was going to get more babysitting jobs over the summer. I applied for a few and only got a couple of responses. The problem is that I can't just drop what I am doing and meet with the parents for an interview whenever it's convenient for them. I have a kid too. Parents don't want to have to care about their babysitter's kids. So I ended up up getting a LOT less work than I imagined for the summer. Oh well. My former neighbor was (is?) interested in having me bring Cole to watch her LO (who is only 5 days younger than Cole) at her house a couple of days a week. At first she was talking about the end of August/Beginning of September. Now she is saying possibly October. She is a bit of a flake and I doubt it will happen. But it would be nice if it did happen because it bring in an extra $100 a week which would help so much. But besides the fact that she is a flake, I also have to worry about moving my car while babysitting unless I get a neighborhood parking permit. Without one, there is only 2 hour parking allowed in the neighborhood (almost all neighborhoods in SF have this) or I get a ticket. So, like I said, chances are this isn't going to happen. But a girl can hope, right?
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<br />Well, better get to bed. Big day tomorrow!
<br />Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-62546924396815954122011-05-19T09:55:00.000-07:002011-05-19T12:11:35.675-07:00Too Much Bad LuckOf course it's mostly my fault. First I found out that I missed the deadline to sign up for internship in the fall. Internship is required to graduate. Then I found out I missed my early priority registration date so I can't register for any classes until one month before classes start. Now I find out I have maxed out my student loans and have to scramble to find a way to pay for my last year at SFSU. As if we're not struggling as it is. There is a chance this means that Cole won't be able to go to the school daycare in the fall which breaks my heart the most. He was really flourishing there, making friends. It was so fun for him. The daycare provides him with a social learning environment that I just can't duplicate at home. I know we will find a way to make this work, but I am just floored at the road blocks I'm running into. I am so close to getting my BA. I HAVE to finish!! And I desperately want Cole to keep going to the daycare. It is so good for him. I was hoping to enjoy being done with the semester but now I just have something else school-related to stress about. Gaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!<div><br /></div><div>ETA: Now that my last final is done and I just have my paper left, I am feeling a little less anxious. But I still have a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach. </div>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-28723326159911898452011-01-08T18:22:00.000-08:002011-01-08T18:41:09.859-08:002011 Here We Come!Well, we survived the long drive to Southern California. The drive down wasn't all that bad but the drive up was not fun. Cole screamed for the last 2 hours of the 10-hour trip non-stop. It was worth it, though to be home that Sunday night rather than waiting and me driving back during the night with very little sleep and snow/ice on the Grapevine part of I-5. Cole was an absolute doll in his little suit he wore for the wedding, too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view&current=GettingreadyforAubriswedding-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/GettingreadyforAubriswedding-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Despite the butt-kicking of the fall semester, I got all A's! Well, one was a A- but I was thrilled with that! I thought I wouldn't get higher than a B in that class. Guess it paid off not missing any classes. Cole is going to be in daycare on campus for the spring semester. I managed to get all of my classes to be on Tuesdays and Thursdays which makes the daycare tuition very affordable. I think it will be really good for him to have more time around other people, especially other kids.<br /><br />Cole's first Christmas was pretty awesome. He made out like a bandit. I still need to upload the pics from our camera from Christmas day. Of course I had to get a picture of him with Santa. I wasn't sure if he would freak out or not. He started to get a little upset, but the photographer's assistant was able to distract him long enough to get a great picture.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/Christmas%202010/?action=view&current=SantaColeedited-sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/Christmas%202010/SantaColeedited-sm.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Cole turns a year old on Thursday. Wow. That's all I can say about that. Wow. So I think I will leave this post at that.Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-71492356737091027942010-12-10T17:52:00.000-08:002010-12-10T17:53:17.777-08:00Funny Video - Elf Yourself!<div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 425px;'><object id='A46866' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=ihTVKw9lSeirZr7h&service=elfyourself.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='425'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=ihTVKw9lSeirZr7h&service=elfyourself.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=ihTVKw9lSeirZr7h&service=elfyourself.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object></div>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-13542648751024766972010-10-23T13:26:00.001-07:002010-10-23T13:41:11.629-07:00Just Livin' LifeSchool is kicking my butt this semester. My grades are decent enough, from what I know, but it's a bit overwhelming. I just never have enough time for anything. I keep putting off getting Cole's hair cut even though it badly needs it because I either don't have the time or don't have the money. It's frustrating. I have a few big papers and projects coming up and I am scared to death of them. <br /><br />I also have a very long drive to southern California coming up the weekend after Thanksgiving that scares the shit out of me. 10-month-olds don't do very well on long car trips in general and Cole doesn't do well in cars. It's a month away and I am so, so nervous about this. I'm going to be in a wedding and I am also really nervous about how Cole will do during the wedding. I may end up having to hold him during the ceremony. Boy I hope it's a short one! The only other person Cole knows really well that will be there is also in the wedding. He's generally OK when it comes to strangers, but I am usually right there so he can go back to me if he gets nervous. Gah!!! I'm going to have to do most of the driving, too, so it's going to be an exhausting trip. The worst part is that I have to go to school the next day after we get back. Waaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!! I want so badly to be able to look forward to this wedding but I am absolutely dreading it. I can't say I am not able to go because that means my friend who is also in the wedding won't be able to go either unless she flies which she can't afford to do (neither can I, which is why we're driving). I hate, hate, hate that I am dreading one of my best friend's wedding and I feel like such a bad friend for it. Leaving Cole at home really isn't a good option because he won't sleep without me there which means G won't either. Plus I would have to pump like crazy to make sure there was enough milk for him and I would have to pump while I was in So Cal and I don't have any good way to store that milk. So it would basically end up being even more work to not bring Cole and just as stressful. We'll get through it and then it will be over with. *sigh*Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-44060080846741630052010-09-03T10:10:00.000-07:002010-09-03T10:47:59.133-07:00Back to SchoolSchool started last week. but this week was my first full week of school. Mondays are the hardest because I'm in school for 8 hours and I really hate being away from Cole for so long. I have been so spoiled being able to be with him so much. I don't know how working mothers do it 5 days a week. My friend K is taking care of him which makes me feel tons better, but on Monday afternoon he was crying when I called to check in on them and it made me cry. I just wanted to leave school and go to him. I'm so glad I have this Monday off for Labor Day! It will get better, though, I'm sure. It is nice to be back on campus. Taking on-line classes is actually a lot harder in some ways. Plus, being on campus around other adults is good for me. I am taking an aerobics class which I love even though it's been kicking my butt so far. I sure hope it helps me lose some more of this baby weight!<br /><br />I have finally started to be able to get Cole to soothe himself asleep again. It was hit and miss for awhile but he has been increasingly difficult to rock or nurse to sleep so I had little choice but to find another way. He actually just fell asleep for his morning nap. I have him on a slightly more consistent routine than I had been doing before which I think helps immensely. I was not consistent enough with our routine before and I know that made it harder for him to be able to get to sleep. Having a school schedule already in place helps me a lot with that.<br /><br />Cole turns 8 months in a couple of weeks. He can do an army crawl really well. His movements are becoming a lot more organized into a cross-crawl patter even though he isn't up on his hands and knees yet. When he first started the army or belly crawl he would push mostly with one leg while the other dragged behind a little bit. Now he uses both legs and arms equally. I have heard about babies staying with the belly crawl and never moving to a standard crawl. I don't know if that's what Cole will do or not but it seems to me like he is progressing to a standard crawl. I have a feeling that in the next month he will start to get up on his hands and knees.<br /><br />He has had his bottom 2 teeth since the first week of July. He actually got his first tooth on our wedding anniversary - June 29th. He got his 2nd tooth exactly a week later. Now his top right tooth is trying to come through. I believe the bottom right was the first one to come through. So it is happening in a very orderly fashion. It feels like his tooth is right there ready to pop through the gums any minute, but it could also still have another week to go. Poor bubs. Between teething and the recent hot weather we've been getting it has been hard for him to sleep. Which means I haven't been getting very good sleep either. The weather is cooling down a bit which hopefully means better sleep for all. This warm weather is our summer, actually. Too bad summer starts when school starts back. :o( Oh well, at least we get some semblance of warm weather, right?<br /><br />Anyway, some pics of Cole from August:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXLr4Hc7v5QFIWB7wHMVhZVKC2r7udR_GsvvgNrlN6nCOaribjNYKdEHiwPiFyE8v5gHIQvwFp7LSvAYVwzyY_4o_zIwnwZ2MxOFYl8RSoTQmkQ_xDloE6kVheTBsXiqemNvFkUL6nRk/s1600/Cole+-+August+2010+028.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXLr4Hc7v5QFIWB7wHMVhZVKC2r7udR_GsvvgNrlN6nCOaribjNYKdEHiwPiFyE8v5gHIQvwFp7LSvAYVwzyY_4o_zIwnwZ2MxOFYl8RSoTQmkQ_xDloE6kVheTBsXiqemNvFkUL6nRk/s320/Cole+-+August+2010+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512743089060848690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnIgEBx6ok7LCPNy9sdbHjmVe0ynIGmrtAXOCgYFC1cu2hsKK07ttocD4qXpdjIXFDsk4gVmsKg3pwdJuKLFM2vJIXfnJnLif2whjQASwO981Wp7rkADcoGHoQAHB7REeggCEpyf03wo/s1600/Cole+-+August+2010+023+cropped.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnIgEBx6ok7LCPNy9sdbHjmVe0ynIGmrtAXOCgYFC1cu2hsKK07ttocD4qXpdjIXFDsk4gVmsKg3pwdJuKLFM2vJIXfnJnLif2whjQASwO981Wp7rkADcoGHoQAHB7REeggCEpyf03wo/s320/Cole+-+August+2010+023+cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512743081957045762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVUo-PMLiQ3JHpbAJ15-5pROG1Hu-9Myv-Y6YfYMQWWOZiKMJlDEZm4VObilo8jwmTJPnyKHWyAZUhAZeDjE0aVIkn_-dOrTSV31-NItIVkh_XUTqIw0yNaQUvEEMdYCWfG7fnsZjQ7c/s1600/Cole+-+August+2010+010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVUo-PMLiQ3JHpbAJ15-5pROG1Hu-9Myv-Y6YfYMQWWOZiKMJlDEZm4VObilo8jwmTJPnyKHWyAZUhAZeDjE0aVIkn_-dOrTSV31-NItIVkh_XUTqIw0yNaQUvEEMdYCWfG7fnsZjQ7c/s320/Cole+-+August+2010+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512743076802028978" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a couple from the 6-month photo shoot we did at home:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hoUtI6OEPGGyUH3A2JhXe3iml7u59AHwnw-89EaLRN2NaEuOjgp0HXjjZlpLZbDSlIe3NYCiecCVpPUkf-72RnTVmYBTlKpXDUl8Ppmzawc8REnxeFCtvlUQR4kgwxRIKvLBxl3ngMU/s1600/Cole+-+July+2010+045+cropped.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hoUtI6OEPGGyUH3A2JhXe3iml7u59AHwnw-89EaLRN2NaEuOjgp0HXjjZlpLZbDSlIe3NYCiecCVpPUkf-72RnTVmYBTlKpXDUl8Ppmzawc8REnxeFCtvlUQR4kgwxRIKvLBxl3ngMU/s320/Cole+-+July+2010+045+cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512744075540633698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0N8vxGaIPv-jQTM813dFrQrWW01Cpm7KxQCluAABA5qWBDJ7jkLBYtUCISIyNr4h-dlDnvaDC01-Fu2_B36ATIxyOfJ1Iq6c9xbP9xh17dFlQ2V7iyGWEmaYCD8hpedhRfkNuSNRdMA/s1600/Cole+-+July+2010+080.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0N8vxGaIPv-jQTM813dFrQrWW01Cpm7KxQCluAABA5qWBDJ7jkLBYtUCISIyNr4h-dlDnvaDC01-Fu2_B36ATIxyOfJ1Iq6c9xbP9xh17dFlQ2V7iyGWEmaYCD8hpedhRfkNuSNRdMA/s320/Cole+-+July+2010+080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512744054175179394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpogXPzVuhG4KK9QHRwbnQZFjtRdHKkYvbGFC8F35QyQdyhxugoCqcw9yv0F1fpXtTXNAIC0TbixWcOckKg-_7vkn1p35jDeXVBfm4zHiEpnrUA-LjBbKcmdBPop9YSKz4lYwfToVfYM/s1600/Cole+-+July+2010+097+sepia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpogXPzVuhG4KK9QHRwbnQZFjtRdHKkYvbGFC8F35QyQdyhxugoCqcw9yv0F1fpXtTXNAIC0TbixWcOckKg-_7vkn1p35jDeXVBfm4zHiEpnrUA-LjBbKcmdBPop9YSKz4lYwfToVfYM/s320/Cole+-+July+2010+097+sepia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512744072452781346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcnTWWjK06sItQzGsQoVzZWNleZLDo_UCvm8lh7oZ4WMF8E2oVx7KmssYLB_Ua0Kg6Vz-qn8BK4xMQJqu5CIalOhg4yMvUGRQrCeigEVlD21qegFzHEB89cSjReb6YWaIjAawAa8rKc8/s1600/Cole+-+July+2010+079+b%26w.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcnTWWjK06sItQzGsQoVzZWNleZLDo_UCvm8lh7oZ4WMF8E2oVx7KmssYLB_Ua0Kg6Vz-qn8BK4xMQJqu5CIalOhg4yMvUGRQrCeigEVlD21qegFzHEB89cSjReb6YWaIjAawAa8rKc8/s320/Cole+-+July+2010+079+b%26w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512744063748451090" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-50187512884590529602010-07-15T11:00:00.000-07:002010-07-15T11:25:26.654-07:00I Suck at BloggingAgain it has been way too long since I last did a blog post.Blogging is really hard with a baby! Cole's naps are usually so short and when he is sleeping I usually just want to veg on the computer and not do anything that requires thinking. At the moment he is fussing in his crib while I am sitting here hoping he will fall asleep on his own. In June I had him successfully falling asleep on his own for naps. But in the last weekend of June I went to San Diego for my uncle's wedding and that totally threw the nap routine out the window. He started rolling over regularly both ways while in San Diego and I think that new found ability has a big effect on his ability to fall asleep. We caught a cold from my dad and I think that also had an effect. Cole turned 6 months on Tuesday. I cannot believe that it has already been half a year. With turning 6 months he now is developing separation anxiety which is also making nap time more difficult. Just had to go in and soothe him because he was getting too upset. I hate how easy it is to disrupt a good routine. The rest of the month is probably a lost cause as far as naps go. Next week Cole has his 6 month well baby check and shots. So that will probably make him extra fussy and cranky. There is a very small chance that the shots will make him a little sleepier and will help but I am not counting on it. Then the following week We will be staying at my friend's house while some other friends come in to town to stay there too. Chances are we will not have any decent nap routine during that week. It almost makes me want to shut myself up in my home and never go anywhere because I have to deal with the consequences of it for weeks afterward. I know that there is the possibility that his nap routine would have gotten screwed up anyway. But it still sucks. How can I ever get him to learn to soothe himself? He needs more sleep and I need that extra time to myself. Oh well, enough about that for now.<br /><br />Here is a fairly recent pic. I need to upload more pics from the camera.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cqDc4KbAeBT6Wd59o7yvEMx78WZTKcCWVI_D_eu36sw10K1CAHtzXBwZI-K0k9FCD5tmytyuSO3kPnDHfItxXnbo468PpFjSWOizqhSeDZ8oRVDdrezRtiAots1fdmku6xlKsyx7c6U/s1600/Cole+-+June+2010+062.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cqDc4KbAeBT6Wd59o7yvEMx78WZTKcCWVI_D_eu36sw10K1CAHtzXBwZI-K0k9FCD5tmytyuSO3kPnDHfItxXnbo468PpFjSWOizqhSeDZ8oRVDdrezRtiAots1fdmku6xlKsyx7c6U/s320/Cole+-+June+2010+062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494200576013089330" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-7198299178200222992010-05-04T12:50:00.000-07:002010-05-04T14:07:15.461-07:00Totally Cliche, But Where Has the Time Gone?!I can't believe I have posted since Cole was a month old. Now he is 3.5 months old. He will be 16 weeks tomorrow. It's amazing how fast these past couple of months have flown by! We went to San Diego when Cole turned 2 months to visit my family. My sister flew to SD from Texas so she could see her nephew too. That month between 2 months a 3 months really went by quickly. At 11 weeks (on April Fool's Day!) Cole laughed for the first time. His laugh is the cutest most magical sound, ever! He has rolled over a couple of times on his own but isn't doing it regularly yet. He loves to "talk" to us. His daddy is his hero. Cole watches him wherever he is in the room and just beams at him when he sees him. It is sooo cute. Now that classes are almost over I'm hoping I can keep better track of everything that is happening with him on here.<br /><br />G and I got into it the other day about various stuff, us not giving each other enough support and attention, or at least not the kind we want. I've been having trouble dealing with my hormones. I was thinking it's PPD ( it still might be) but I just got my first postpartum af on Sunday so now I'm wondering if that's what it was. Ironically I got af on May 2nd and on May 1st last year is when I got the + pregnancy test that got me Cole. I was so disappointed about getting af, though, because I am exclusively breastfeeding. I wanted to be one of those women who go for a year or more after giving birth before getting their first postpartum af. Oh well. I did have a feeling deep down that I would not be that lucky.<br /><br />Gotta post some pics of Cole:<br /><br /><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view¤t=happybaby-sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/happybaby-sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view¤t=Cole029-sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/Cole029-sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view¤t=brencole-sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/brencole-sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view¤t=Cole-3months015-sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/Cole-3months015-sm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-12177560072285205072010-02-19T11:21:00.000-08:002010-02-19T11:34:13.362-08:00One MonthCole turned one month last Saturday. It's been crazy! I have the rare chance of having both hands free to post this. Don't have much time, though because I need to get him up. He's been sleeping awhile, which is rare, but I want him to be able to sleep tonight too! I have to say - motherhood is the most challenging but most wonderful thing I have ever done in my life!! Cole was diagnosed with reflux a few weeks ago but he seems to be doing much better now. I hope we can go off the reflux meds soon. He's growing so fast, it's crazy!! At his one month appointment Tuesday he weighed 10 lbs 10 oz and was 21.5 inches long. I can't remember his head circumference, but the doc said his length is just above the 50th percentile and his head size is in the 75th percentile. So my little man has a big head! No surprise there. He takes after his dad in that and so many other ways. He smiled for the first time at 3 weeks for his doctor when we were there for his reflux issue. The doc said she was putting that in his chart because he's advanced. I was such a proud mommy at that moment! I'm so glad we get blessed with those smiles because he can be quite a challenging baby. He's already starting to get better but he does not like to be put down hardly ever. I don't mind wearing him most of the time, but it is hard to get somethings done while he's attached to me, like eating or going to the bathroom. I just hope that I am helping him have a secure emotional attachment to us so that he doesn't feel the need to be attached to me physically all the time. Well, better go now. Hopefully I will find some time to write more later.<br /><br />Oh, here's a pic of Cole from Saturday:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgi4VV5dj3h4a-dn8K04ejRK5LDpfxN2e2TO0yvi6LQEIZy8ukc4x3DnUQdoRsb378aRESfseUqAd7oqaj7VgpBmh3sST-mcmeW8rcdS0jqnHJbbfd3NBud5hSh_h-Nh8yAMUQ8JiORg/s1600-h/Cole+1+month+019+-+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgi4VV5dj3h4a-dn8K04ejRK5LDpfxN2e2TO0yvi6LQEIZy8ukc4x3DnUQdoRsb378aRESfseUqAd7oqaj7VgpBmh3sST-mcmeW8rcdS0jqnHJbbfd3NBud5hSh_h-Nh8yAMUQ8JiORg/s320/Cole+1+month+019+-+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440039940518891938" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-62998306417781018372010-01-19T14:44:00.000-08:002010-01-19T15:03:46.759-08:00Cole Daniel's Birth Story + Pics<span class="postbody">I was scheduled for induction at 7 pm Tuesday night. DH, and my two best friends went with me to get the party started. I was lucky and got the nicest birthing room on the floor. It was quite spacious and had a bath tub, which I was very happy about. Too bad I never actually got to use the bath tub. They started me off with misoprostal Tuesday night. It did help me progress and dilate me but very, very slowly. The doctor broke my water the following morning to see if that would help me progress any faster. It didn't. I was given the pitocin drip at 11 am Wednesday morning. They started me off at 1 and I handled the contractions fine. Then they increased me to a 3. Shortly after that the cx were overwhelmingly strong. It was nothing like I had ever experienced in my life. I realized after 4 or 5 really strong cx that were close together that there was no way I was going to last another 6-8 hours with that kind of pain. That's when I ordered the epidural. That was a wonderful relief, even if I was a little disappointed that I would not be having the med-free birth I had envisioned. Turned out it was a good thing I had done the epidural.<br /><br />Once I was finally fully dilated I started pushing. I pushed for an hour but made no progress at all. His head just could not get past my pelvic bones. There was a point when dh and my 2 bff's could see his hair, but he just would not go any further. Not only that but his heart kept deceling with the contractions, especially if I laid on either side. After that hour of pushing the doc came back in and told us that it was time to do a c-section. They were concerned about the decels and did not believe I was going to progress any further than I had.<br /><br />When I got the news I was so disappointed. I so very much did not want to have a c-section. It took me awhile to compose myself. They told me what to expect, and the doctor told my dad and step-mom for us because I didn't want dh to leave my side. They wheeled me in in to the operating room once it became available and started prepping me. The anesthesiologist was telling funny stories while he was doing his thing which helped me immensely. Once I was all prepped, they brought dh in and started the c-section. Oh boy was that uncomfortable. All the pushing and tugging and pressure I felt floored me. I kept my eyes closed almost the whole time just so I could cope with what was happening to my body. When they were ready to pull the baby out, I opened my eyes to watch dh's face. They had asked him if he wanted to watch while they pulled him out and he said yes, to my surprise. He is normally a bit squeamish when it comes to stuff like that. First I heard them say he had a big head and dh's eyes got really wide. He said "Wow! He really does have a big head! That's a big head!" I then heard the doctors say something about nuchal cord. Turns out the cord was wrapped around Cole's neck twice. They showed him to me very quickly over the curtain but I wasn't able to touch him yet. His cry, though, was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard in my life. They asked dh if he wanted to cut the cord but he declined. He said his hands were too shaky. They cleaned him and wrapped him in a blanket, then they brought him over to me and laid his head on my shoulder.I was immediately in love and was sad I couldn't hold him for awhile. I was shaking so bad from the everything I couldn't have held him anyway. They wheeled me away to the recovery room where I needed more pain meds and something (morphine, I think) to help with the shaking. After awhile I was able to drift off to sleep for a couple of hours. DH brought Cole into the recovery room for me to spend time with him before I was brought up to the post-partum room for the rest of my stay. I was not allowed to have him room-in with me that first night because of my catheter and epidural, but the next night and the rest of my stay I did. We came home with him Sunday. We were (and are) both so in love. It was such an amazing and overwhelming experience.<br /><br /></span><span class="postbody">Cole right after birth:<br /><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view&current=Coleafterbirth.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 414px; height: 310px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/Coleafterbirth.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br />With me in postpartum:<br /><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view&current=ColeDanielRodich.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 410px; height: 298px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/ColeDanielRodich.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Snuggling with Daddy:<br /><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view&current=ColeDaddy.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 411px; height: 307px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/ColeDaddy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />First day home, holding his godmother's finger:<br /><a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/?action=view&current=Colesfirstdayhome.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 409px; height: 306px;" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/feyindigowolf/Colesfirstdayhome.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-51454183675821180102010-01-05T19:00:00.000-08:002010-01-05T19:25:06.518-08:0040 Weeks TomorrowI can't believe I'm here. I have arrived at my due date and Baby Cole is still kicking and rolling and doing whatever it is he does in there. My closest loved ones call me every day to ask how I'm doing or how I'm feeling, if I think he will be here soon. On the one hand, I love that they are all nearly as eager as I am. On the other hand, it's driving me bat shit crazy! Poor G is going crazy himself, wondering when this is going to happen. He likes his life to be nice and predictable. Having to be in this wait and see place is nearly torture for him. If I don't go into labor before then, my next appointment is on Thursday. I will discuss scheduling an induction with the doc then. The nurse told me last week that they won't let me go longer than 10 days past my due date. So at the very latest Cole will be here by the 16th or 17th, depending on what time the induction is scheduled and how long labor takes. I very much do not want to be induced, so anyone reading this, please send some good vibes/prayers that Cole makes his appearance before then. My sis is coming into town Thursday morning and leaving the following Tuesday. It would be nice if Cole is born while she's here.<br /><br />Oh yeah, one piece of awesome news: I got straight A's this semester! I have never done that in my life! I was hooting and hollering and jumping for joy when I saw my grades posted online. And to think I did that while pregnant and not taking any meds. Hopefully that trend will continue for the spring semester with my online classes. If so, I can see staying off my meds for good. I recognize that due to past depression and anxiety I am at risk for postpartum depression and have told my ob as well as Cole pediatrician about it so they can check in with me. But I feel pretty good about it as of right now. I really hope I am able to stay off my meds. That would be great.<br /><br />In other news, last Tuesday my cousin did a maternity photo shoot with me. I've only seen one of the photos so far and I am absolutely dying to see the rest. Anyway, hopefully my next post will be announcing Cole's arrival. My maternity pic is below:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0GH9y191mJ4uGTJ-y_AibqSl_g8JZc1_RcVKI3Fpebvqrk-CASLK56KLUzD2DpHkcJ-SgkDAe4NvjBWRQawi9MhJknWse4Pvme-vR07Ghcy2yTOeEG4bZCwIqC0GVrdTKkzTIvGMGN4/s1600-h/Photo+shoot+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0GH9y191mJ4uGTJ-y_AibqSl_g8JZc1_RcVKI3Fpebvqrk-CASLK56KLUzD2DpHkcJ-SgkDAe4NvjBWRQawi9MhJknWse4Pvme-vR07Ghcy2yTOeEG4bZCwIqC0GVrdTKkzTIvGMGN4/s320/Photo+shoot+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423459680309064930" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-81441734801438229612009-12-13T10:52:00.001-08:002009-12-13T11:06:49.232-08:00The Nursery is Done!I feel a huge sense of relief with the nursery being done. I was feeling rather anxious about it. I was going to try to put the crib/changing table combo together myself, but there was just no way. So G came to my rescue. I did put a lot of it together on my own, but once I got to the main crib parts it got too awkward for me to handle alone. We still need to get curtains for the room because the blinds are old and starting to fall apart. But at least all the big stuff is done. So anyway, here are some pics of the nursery. By the way, the bassinet will be going in our bedroom, but I liked the way it looked in the pics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaPywpZuQ7mixTy_w8z2cdTbTlpUKgVNYhbIBpvEDuuEsKjdnKXOBdkyBK_tF2CEq_6gIsprAyXbUNvPYusg6cy9D78Fy3bjrTF3DmhqlQ6rRGwZVGHXGraAbcyD4fBzPi-A6_36Ilmg/s1600-h/Thanksgiving+%2B+Coles+Room+015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaPywpZuQ7mixTy_w8z2cdTbTlpUKgVNYhbIBpvEDuuEsKjdnKXOBdkyBK_tF2CEq_6gIsprAyXbUNvPYusg6cy9D78Fy3bjrTF3DmhqlQ6rRGwZVGHXGraAbcyD4fBzPi-A6_36Ilmg/s320/Thanksgiving+%2B+Coles+Room+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414798680085697842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9hVm1CTkB0dQhyphenhyphenSaqZUi1txSkX2eXt-Y2T-AqnfkQ9cZm73zfWWEubY1WAImz-ExGh6tfd1aKQaVQ9FTq35bDkV2qd5rSupoWVdEMD3Jm-n1ZHK5mqVKQlZ5GNKe6LAYojgJ1SLNpDs/s1600-h/Thanksgiving+%2B+Coles+Room+016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9hVm1CTkB0dQhyphenhyphenSaqZUi1txSkX2eXt-Y2T-AqnfkQ9cZm73zfWWEubY1WAImz-ExGh6tfd1aKQaVQ9FTq35bDkV2qd5rSupoWVdEMD3Jm-n1ZHK5mqVKQlZ5GNKe6LAYojgJ1SLNpDs/s320/Thanksgiving+%2B+Coles+Room+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414798577392273010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvIYjzajjnBNWGWIgr1WpPaAJUMmf4SXIyui_DQk4lVFqEza_TmJiclu4uXYxlgj7DF335PPWRz8RhQQ2CjzrJlUjRAA2Rhij55vwqpB504xpIPxwHcgSFaXlhDUlsyDpmduLo1xlOwM/s1600-h/Thanksgiving+%2B+Coles+Room+017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvIYjzajjnBNWGWIgr1WpPaAJUMmf4SXIyui_DQk4lVFqEza_TmJiclu4uXYxlgj7DF335PPWRz8RhQQ2CjzrJlUjRAA2Rhij55vwqpB504xpIPxwHcgSFaXlhDUlsyDpmduLo1xlOwM/s320/Thanksgiving+%2B+Coles+Room+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414798462113491554" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-58163484079575568592009-12-02T14:08:00.000-08:002009-12-02T14:34:19.353-08:00Where Has the Time Gone??!!I have 5 weeks left until my due date - 35 days!!!! Time is just flying by! Thanksgiving was great. I got to see a lot of my family that lives around the Bay Area, whom I don't get to see very often, since I don't have a car (and we're all busy). I also had my second baby shower on Saturday. My friend K's mom threw the shower for me. It was lots of fun. Great food, fun games, and awesome presents I must say. Now I just need to get through the rest of classes and finals in the next few weeks, then I can devote all my energy to getting Cole's things washed and put away and setting his nursery up. We ordered the crib yesterday and should be getting that this weekend or beginning of next week. We also bought a washer & drier that we should be getting on Friday. I am so happy that we are getting close to having everything ready. G said yesterday that he is starting to get butterflies in his stomach in regards to Cole's arrival. I've been feeling them. But it does seem like they're getting stronger the closer we get. I e-mailed my professor for my on-line class, explaining that I will be 37 weeks the day of our final, asking what I should do if I happen to g o into labor or I'm in the hospital that day. He told me to just send him an e-mail if I can and he would give me an incomplete so I can schedule a later time to take the final. I'm glad to have some kind of plan in place, but I've been telling Cole that he really needs to stay in there until after finals are over. And he needs to stay healthy!! <div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture taken of me at my baby shower Saturday:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2E_dVgIkoBPe4NheDI1vKN-OGXhs73N3W6bDmsHQ-jTxfkRRE2UdiokCJ06yjrx4Ss8IlsNiz9-7Vv5r7EuopW2dZhbaz3MWKEK2tezjDJ0_vqI19Ss3A85eUA4DF4a2MieT34iIFNw/s1600-h/Baby+shower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2E_dVgIkoBPe4NheDI1vKN-OGXhs73N3W6bDmsHQ-jTxfkRRE2UdiokCJ06yjrx4Ss8IlsNiz9-7Vv5r7EuopW2dZhbaz3MWKEK2tezjDJ0_vqI19Ss3A85eUA4DF4a2MieT34iIFNw/s320/Baby+shower.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410770159641329810" /></a><br /><br />Plus here's one of just my big belly:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGtTsTIEvMtnfR9tkbYpI4FKNp_PBseNrpG10_WLXh8h1mnxzXzQeQCzyzosK-iSfqpQAXrby_fc482bUFVJMKdnuZLTnE7vJbiva-Dp-eczhZNMNm4mOZRvlHkeCjGYf7tU-eJapjwA/s1600-h/baby+shower+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGtTsTIEvMtnfR9tkbYpI4FKNp_PBseNrpG10_WLXh8h1mnxzXzQeQCzyzosK-iSfqpQAXrby_fc482bUFVJMKdnuZLTnE7vJbiva-Dp-eczhZNMNm4mOZRvlHkeCjGYf7tU-eJapjwA/s320/baby+shower+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410770619189841858" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-83513069064787299732009-10-25T10:50:00.000-07:002009-10-25T11:02:35.992-07:00Only 10 1/2 Weeks LeftI can't get over how fast time is flying by! A lot of women are saying that time is dragging by for them, but so far I guess I've been lucky. Of course being in school full time and working part time helps keep my mind occupied. I have been really lucky that physically I haven't been very uncomfortable or had many difficulties. Knock on wood that things stay this way for the rest of the pregnancy! I know that as I get bigger, things will get more difficult, but, I just feel so blessed.<br /><br />At my appointment last Monday, I had gained 12 lbs since my previous appointment. The nurse said I need to start watching what I eat, cut way down on the sugar, cut way down on the refined carbs and stick to complex carbs and whole wheat and stuff like that. So I think I've been much better about it, but wow does this kid have a sweet tooth! I have never had that much of a sweet tooth, but it seems like all I want are cookies and candy bars lately! With Halloween coming Saturday I may have to indulge a little. But I shall behave myself until then.<br /><br />That's all that's going on so far. G took this pic of me last night:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzhhun0c7xUJKnPzGdizFwKa4DEKONWjZ1FM31wyGTq5yArclfAFEBvTNCSh4jgjJUCbFeEx2wmBbCxPeLeo60zlDq8ebLEvUFnWxqpR5_nVq2d3ftwo4LCIZP4JAr_euDaqG3-avLyE/s1600-h/IMG_1075.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzhhun0c7xUJKnPzGdizFwKa4DEKONWjZ1FM31wyGTq5yArclfAFEBvTNCSh4jgjJUCbFeEx2wmBbCxPeLeo60zlDq8ebLEvUFnWxqpR5_nVq2d3ftwo4LCIZP4JAr_euDaqG3-avLyE/s320/IMG_1075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396599315390812674" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-65215090877307810292009-09-30T12:36:00.000-07:002009-09-30T13:24:43.486-07:00Down to Two Digits!As of today, I have 98 days left until my due date. Wow! In some ways it feels like time is dragging by, but in other ways it feels like time is flying. Yesterday I noticed some droplets of colostrum coming from my nipples. I know it sounds really weird, but I was happy about it. I thought, "My boobies are working!" I am 26 weeks today. Fertility Friend says if Cole were to be born now, he has 85% chance of survival. Those are pretty decent odds. Not that it matters. Cole needs to stay put until at least 39 weeks. I know they say 38 weeks is considered term these days, but I've also heard that boys generally need a little more time than girls to be fully developed. So, as far as I'm concerned, he needs to stay put until he is completely ready to come out.<br /><br />It has been so wonderful feeling his kicks and watching my belly move around from his kicks and whatever else he's doing in there. Sometimes I'll play a little game with Cole where I'll push my belly right where he kicked and he'll kick back. We do that back and forth for a bit. It always makes me smile or laugh. It still scares me how attached I am to this little guy. I mean I knew in theory that it would be like this, but no one really knows exactly how it feels until they actually go through it. There have been a lot of women on my due date board on Baby Center who have lost their babies late in the game. It seems to me like the farther you get, the harder it is. I don't know what it's like to experience that kind of pain. I can certainly imagine it, but I hope I never have to know that kind of pain. It can be hard to strike a balance between being aware of everything that could go wrong and being able to enjoy what I have and the gift I have been given.<br /><br />In school, in 3 of my 4 classes we have learned about prenatal development and reproduction. It's kind of fun to be learning about that stuff in detail while I am directly experiencing it. I've been able to share some of my own experience in class discussions which is pretty cool. I've still got to figure out what I'm going to do about spring semester. Hopefully that will all work out ok. I can't let myself worry about that too much. I just don't have the room in my brain for it.Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-40645113180330879262009-08-30T11:55:00.000-07:002009-08-30T12:06:07.986-07:00Baby ShowerNext weekend I will be in San Diego for my first baby shower. My dad's wife is throwing it for me. I'm very excited about it. My dad called me this morning to ask me about some details regarding the travel system stroller I put on my registry. He apparently saw a nicer (and more expensive) one that he was thinking about getting me and wanted to make sure I didn't have my heart set on the exact one I had picked out for some reason. Dad, if you want to get me the nicer one, I am ALL for it! I will be 22 weeks when I go San Diego. I have gotten a lot bigger in the past few weeks since I posted my last belly shot. I saw a couple of my friends that I hadn't seen in several weeks and they were surprised by how much my belly has grown since then. Yesterday both G and my friend K got to feel the baby kick. It was pretty cool that others can feel him kick now too! Anyway, here's my latest belly shot, which K took yesterday at 22w3d:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhwl6WiJ52vTrwEflqVjtgrca3Ya8orxI22IT9ryCV-x_Gv6Sf8ntQswpbweohGhThltQu8f4HupcZyWlXP5iwiv2CXp6nt_7KicgJhggtSQ9OlrcGLgx70dz90icGcCiBWuE3BT5cUE/s1600-h/8-29-09+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhwl6WiJ52vTrwEflqVjtgrca3Ya8orxI22IT9ryCV-x_Gv6Sf8ntQswpbweohGhThltQu8f4HupcZyWlXP5iwiv2CXp6nt_7KicgJhggtSQ9OlrcGLgx70dz90icGcCiBWuE3BT5cUE/s320/8-29-09+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375834811371605602" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-7811312857808624782009-08-20T19:23:00.000-07:002009-08-20T19:39:35.232-07:00It's A Boy!!!!Today's ultrasound was quite an experience! Everything looks good and right on target. His heart, brain, stomach, spine, limbs, everything looked good. His face is formed properly - no cleft palate. He gave us a couple of great money shots too! Not a shy boy as far as that goes. He kept covering his face though, but we still got a decent look at his cute little nose and eyes. We found out that my placenta is anterior which explains why I haven't felt him move as much as many other women have by this point. I did feel a couple of good kicks on Tuesday, though, which was really awesome! My favorite part was when the ultrasound tech was moving the thing around my belly and the baby reached out and poked the placenta. It was so cute! So with out further ado I present to the blog world Cole Daniel:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCHue7yXsu8G8uASDE-lB7FqA3CzqPtgo8GPJjw5YQ-QTMNJi0sZErOx0F2wKDvHfdBCsX6Rk4fzXOHABHZ55vPWwPm_f7wQoBnLJYHCA7NBIxVkVIhrciCu9UQRlQCytDg38oE1jtfg/s1600-h/Cole+Daniel+-+sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCHue7yXsu8G8uASDE-lB7FqA3CzqPtgo8GPJjw5YQ-QTMNJi0sZErOx0F2wKDvHfdBCsX6Rk4fzXOHABHZ55vPWwPm_f7wQoBnLJYHCA7NBIxVkVIhrciCu9UQRlQCytDg38oE1jtfg/s320/Cole+Daniel+-+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372240601294706146" border="0" /></a>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-89440041813512113812009-07-26T12:25:00.000-07:002009-07-26T13:13:36.520-07:0016 WeeksI have my 16 week <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">appointment</span> on Tuesday. It probably will just involve most of the same stuff as my 8 week <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">appointment</span> with the nurse. I'm hoping I get to hear the heart beat again. That would be pretty awesome. I am scheduled to have my glucose test. I was surprised that I'm getting mine done sooner than most of the other ladies on the message boards but apparently new research finds that it's better to get the glucose test done earlier. Here's the conclusion of <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12216433">Pub Med</a>'s abstract on the study they've done: <em>Glucose screening at 16 weeks of pregnancy is a useful alternative to third-trimester screening for gestational diabetes. The negative predictive value of screening test results < or =" 110"> or = 135 mg/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">dL</span> is 55%. This latter finding is superior to the 8.6-22% found during the third-trimester.</em><br />An article from <a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440581?mpid=3305"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medscape</span></a> quoted one of the doctors involved in the study: "Screening at 16 weeks is a better predictor of gestational diabetes," Gerard Nahum, MD, from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, says in a news release. <em>"It's more sensitive than screening later, and allows us to focus earlier on women who are at greatest risk. It's also a more practical screening technique because blood samples drawn during early pregnancy for other tests can also be used for this purpose." </em><br /><br />In other news I bought a couple pairs of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">preggo</span> jeans today. It is so nice to be able to wear some jeans again. I was starting to feel very frumpy. Especially since my hair is badly in need of a cut and I hate my bangs and need to grow them out. That's not a very good combination. Luckily G talked to our hair-cutter for me and she said she good give me a side-swept bang look. I'll probably go in towards the end of August.<br /><br />Next weekend I have some good friends from out of town coming to visit. It should be a lot of fun, but I have been way attached to G lately and it's not going top be easy being away from him all weekend even though we'll be in the same city. We all get together every summer and alternate between Northern California & Southern California, since 2 of us live up here in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">NorCal</span> and the other 2 live in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">SoCal</span>. This year it's scheduled to be up here, next year it's supposed to be in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">SoCal</span>. I don't know if I'll be able to do it next year with the baby. I'm not going to drive with the baby and I don't know if I'll be able to afford the plane ticket to go down. Plus, don't know where we'd stay. If I'm still nursing I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving the baby with G while I go down for the weekend. I suppose I shouldn't be worrying about it now.<br /><br />I kinda feel like the outsider even more now that I'm pregnant. It was hard enough when I had quit drinking, but now it's more pronounced. One of the other girls has been sort of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">ttc</span>, but the other two are not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">ttc</span> right now. They both want to in the somewhat near future but are waiting until they have enough medical coverage for it. I am really looking forward to when they get pregnant too. I hear of so many women online talking about how all their friends already have kids, but for me it's the opposite. That's probably the one thing that made it easier to deal with taking so long to get pregnant. Now that I am pregnant I feel a bit alone. Luckily I have family members with young kids/babies that I can talk to.Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-45588229992824136652009-07-18T18:12:00.000-07:002009-07-18T18:25:54.300-07:00Felt SomethingI have been feeling a bit of movement for a couple of weeks now, but nothing major. Just feels like that baby is rolling around in there or something. I usually feel movement after I've eaten. Last night when I was sitting on the couch with G after we came back from getting some pizza, I had my hand on my belly just seeing if I could feel anything. I could feel the baby rolling around as usual. It almost felt like thhe baby was doing gymnastics in there. Then, at one point, I actually felt a very tiny little thump. I felt it both inside and on my hand. And it definitely wasn't gas. That was pretty cool. I am so looking forward to feeling more of that kind of movement. I really want G to be able to feel it too.<br /><br />I had to go get me some preggo clothes today. My pants are starting to get quite uncomfortable. I only have 3 pairs of jeans that still fit without cutting off circulation. Even they are getting a bit snug. I looked at getting that belly band thing, but I just couldn't bring myself to get it. I just don't like it that much and I am not confident that the little piece of material that comes with it will actually stay in place. I only found one pair of pants that I liked that was in my price range. Why does maternity clothes have to be so expensive when it will only be worn for a limited amount of time? It seems a bit ridiculous to me. This IS San Francisco, though. The people here don't seem to get the concept that not everyone here wants expensive clothes. I really wish there was a Target store in the City but the supervisors here have a weird idea that if we let them in they'll take over like cockroaches. It's apparently OK for Starbuck's to do that, but not Target. Gee, makes a lot of sense. Old Navy's maternity section had a crap selection. I wonder why? They used to have more of a selection, but when G and i went there the other day they had very little. It was disappointing. Anyway, enough of that rant. Time to go feed the dog and then go get some food for me & G.Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-28314365615364041842009-07-01T21:18:00.000-07:002009-07-01T21:22:19.495-07:00One Trimester Down, Two More to Go!<div>In honor of making it to the 2nd trimester, I will finally post a belly pic:</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353713031576798002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7dzliX5CZpMkIOZLnOoihxYgCg_koKbVl0huzC6GSe8u0K67a5kKw5-9zU6T8fcLbHH3kzhZ8-yOQTZJsJvdIWmDOHOvXLXEO7gn-gtQU_szd8RFNrps61Pwl0fugrlqyxOA9KMW8a4/s320/020.JPG" />BTW, We got to hear the baby's heartbeat Monday. It was 165 bpm. Music to our ears!<br /><div></div>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-51222125847401674622009-06-27T19:40:00.000-07:002009-06-27T20:06:16.113-07:00Almost There!By mid to end of next week I will be in the second trimester. I am very much looking forward to that. I should post a belly pic. I'm starting to pooch out a bit. Yeah, I'll get right on that. I'm so lazy these days. It's so hard to get motivated to do anything unless I'm going to work.<br /><br />On Monday we have our next appointment. I don't know if I'll get another ultrasound or not, but I'm hoping I will at least get to hear the heartbeat. Monday is also our 7-year wedding anniverary. G will be coming with me to the appointment, then we'll go do something afterward and go out to dinner somewhere.<br /><br />The weather is gorgeous here this weekend. It's also pride weekend which means a lot of people in the 'hood. In some ways it's fun, but the vast majority of people are drinking and partying and I am sooo not into that and neither is G. So we're hanging out in our back yard for most of the time. I did have to go get a dress for my cousin's wedding next weekend. Downtown was pretty packed. We got out of there as quickly as we could. It will be nice to go to SoCal next weekend. I need to start planning when I'll have my shower down there. It will probably have to be the beginning of September since that's the only 3-day weekend school will have for quite some time. My aunt suggested doing it at Thanksgiving, but I said that was pushing it. She said said she had seen plenty of women flying while that far along and I replied, "Yeah, but how many of them took 3+ years to get pregnant?" She concurred.Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-12388000138099465202009-05-29T17:33:00.000-07:002009-05-29T17:46:10.218-07:00So Far, So GoodWe got to see the baby blob today! Saw the heart beat - it was 178 bpm! Must've been going pretty fast because my heart was thundering away! I guess my uterus is tilted because the doc had a hard time getting a good pic. First she realized I had a full bladder and had me go empty it. So I wrapped myself in that paper cover thingy and went to the bathroom. It was unlocked, but occupied. At least I was in just as awkward a position! Emptied my bladder and went back in the room. It was easier, but still took a minute to get a clear look at the baby blob. The heart beat was beautiful and it measured right on time. We are both quite relieved. G said it's more and more real to him. <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I'm just glad we got that over with! I slept terribly last night with all kinds of anxiety-filled dreams about this u/s. Next week I meet with the nurse to go over all the other important stuff, blood tests, blood pressure, weight, etc. Have no idea when the next u/s is supposed to be. I guess we'll schedule that next week, too. I should put together a list of questions. Yeah. I'll get right on that. Really. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_SGl8mfOqIBLWlFWteAl1pm4OVWmQuQY9w2s2p0ghpsMGzjdxaujYOgaj3yMW4pwhnhadDXz0PLwse_3RVTs3LLfPu1afEOYhC9rkEgUf4iCMs_JztSn2n_fNL0Du1ULYzYlC3Z00oU/s400/Baby+Blob+Rodich+-+sm.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341411704785996306" /></div><div><br /></div>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-235338528938498512009-05-26T12:58:00.000-07:002009-05-26T13:04:43.658-07:00Lazy and HungryI've been trying to get out of the house to go get me a cheese burger but my butt appears to be glued to the couch, dammit! :o) Feeling tired all the time makes it sooo easy to be lazy. I haven't done my prenatal yoga tape yet, and I really, really should. I wanted to sign up with the local public pool so I can swim through out the summer. Have not yet even attempted to do that. Which is silly because I will be babysitting at a house that is quite near the pool and it would be wonderfully easy to walk right over there when I'm done. Those jobs will be done by 1 pm which is the perfect time to go swimming. I gotta get my butt in gear. My toenails need to be done. I have been so lazy about that too. I am SO LAZY!!! It kinda feels good to be this lazy. Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-3356309545010547072009-05-16T12:34:00.000-07:002009-05-16T12:50:08.709-07:00The Symptoms Have HitOh boy. The nausea, the constant hunger, and the MOOD SWINGS!!! It's crazy! Come 9 pm, I'm absolutely worthless. My brain just shuts down. I used to try to find a nice way to say what's on my mind. These days, not so much. Thankd GOD for the internet when I can erease what I typed and retype it before sending. IRL, that editing isn't available. Sometimes stuff slips out before I mean for it to. With hubby I feel bad. With strangers, if I can't manage to clamp my mouth shut, oh well. I really don't like to be outright rude to people, but wow, everything annoys me! Especially all the cigarette smoke. It can be really tough walking through my neighborhood at night when all the guys are at the bars getting sloshed & smoking like chimminies. If I cover my face with a rag they make stupid comments about swine flu. Like I give a shit about THAT! The toxins they keep blowing out their mouth into the air I breathe is a far more immediate concern. Even when I was a smoker, I was more considerate of nonsmokers than most of these yodels seem to be. I just seem to have very little tolerance for any kind of bullshit these days. Not good when babysitting! I make a very strong point to be as patient as possible, though, with the kids. They don't need to deal with my craziness. Luckily the kids have all been very sweet for the most part. I do feel more maternal too, though, so that helps. My u/s was on the 28th, but the doc had surgery scheduled that day so I had to reschedule for the 29th. At least it's just one more day. <div><br /></div><div>In other news, my dog is crazy. She broke off one of her rear claws at the paw line. She doesn't seem fazed by it in the least. I got a call from the store around the corner from us the she was there. She was supposed to be in the back yard. Oh how I love sharing the back yard with a neighbor to whom it doesn't occur to make sure the back yard gate is closed tight. Fun times! I sure hope she didn't get into any trouble while she was out and about. She can be a bit of a punk with other dogs sometimes. At least she's safe and sound now! Silly mutt.</div>Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387331564894660563.post-37885409077164230262009-05-09T16:11:00.000-07:002009-05-09T16:14:47.570-07:00Grumpy & HormonalEverything seems to be pissing me off today! The cigarette smoke I keep smelling is pissing me off. A certain charting site that will remain unnamed REALLY pissed me off today. They make it absolutely impossible to do anything to help and/or support your friends off the site. The SAY it's to protect privacy. But they won't even let you give your OWN e-mail address. It's so stupid. They claim it's a private forum, not a public one so they can make what ever rules they want. Well, shit, WE'RE paying for that forum. Shouldn't we have a say about the rules?! I mean, come on! GGRRRRRRR!Carrie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09125692976654712770noreply@blogger.com1