I have been wanting to write this post for awhile, but didn't have the book ready to show you all yet. I finally finished it! A lifebook is a book for your child that explains some of the ins and outs of their life and adoption. It is meant to create a "starting place" for you to be able to have open conversations with your child about their beginnings. Sadie, our eldest daughter, has a pretty complicated birth family and so this book is meant to introduce some of these difficulties in a child-friendly language.
The book that helped me IMMENSELY with this process and terminology can be found here. The book reviews lots of different scenarios such as children adopted through the foster system, international, and domestic adoptions. The thing I appreciated about it the most is the examples of language used to explain really difficult situations about the birth mother and family. It also gives a few full lifebook examples for each of the adoption situations above. I plan on creating one of these books for Keller as well, but coming up with my own language for embryo donation/adoption.
If it will help you get an idea of what I am talking about, you can view Sadie's lifebook here. I created it using Snapfish, so if you don't already have an account with them, you will need to create one.
Hope this helps someone!
Ok. So, I just posted this blog entry and minutes later found another book using a Christian perspective to create a lifebook for your child. It wasn't out when I first started this project a YEAR ago (things can take me forever sometimes)! You can look at it here. I am wigging out because this is the part that I always felt was missing from the book I just created, but didn't know how to put into words. I am going to have to buy this book now too and probably do some editing to my already created book : ). Grateful to have found this new resource!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Houston, we have a problem!
That problem is spelled h.e.r.n.i.a. Ugh! About a week ago, I noticed that the muscles right at my thigh and groin were kinda achy. I just chalked it up to round ligament pain and didn't think much about it....until last Friday when I needed to lie down before dinner because it hurt so badly. Yet, I still got up and went out on a date with my hubby that night. When we got home, it was hurting pretty badly again and finally noticed a lump where it hurt. When I looked in the mirror, I about freaked because it was a HUGE lump and I had no idea what it was. My husband was the first to think and suggest it was a hernia and, sure enough, he was right.
I went to the doctor who told me that they just take a wait and see approach, since I am pregnant. The risk is something called strangulation where the intestine's blood supply can get cut off and cause the need for emergency surgery. I have an appointment with my OB on Monday to talk with them about it and then plan on visiting a general surgeon to see what they say. It is pretty uncomfortable at times, mostly when standing up. When I am lying down, it feels fine and the lump disappears. I think the danger occurs when the lump is no longer going away when lying down.
I'm not sure how all of this will affect my birthing plan. Some have said that they were still able to have a natural birth with the hernia and others have said that they had a c-section with the hernia repair all at the same time. Hoping we get some clarity with all of this as we visit with various doctors and hear their opinions. I am learning how to trust God in the circumstance and let go of expectations. A lesson which had already begun to form from my last birthing experience. : )
Other than that, all things are great here! I love feeling baby girl kick and move. I'm so grateful for another chance to experience pregnancy. We think we have named our little girl, but are waiting this time to announce.
Ill get back with you all once we hear from the doctors. We'd appreciate your prayers, as always!
I went to the doctor who told me that they just take a wait and see approach, since I am pregnant. The risk is something called strangulation where the intestine's blood supply can get cut off and cause the need for emergency surgery. I have an appointment with my OB on Monday to talk with them about it and then plan on visiting a general surgeon to see what they say. It is pretty uncomfortable at times, mostly when standing up. When I am lying down, it feels fine and the lump disappears. I think the danger occurs when the lump is no longer going away when lying down.
I'm not sure how all of this will affect my birthing plan. Some have said that they were still able to have a natural birth with the hernia and others have said that they had a c-section with the hernia repair all at the same time. Hoping we get some clarity with all of this as we visit with various doctors and hear their opinions. I am learning how to trust God in the circumstance and let go of expectations. A lesson which had already begun to form from my last birthing experience. : )
Other than that, all things are great here! I love feeling baby girl kick and move. I'm so grateful for another chance to experience pregnancy. We think we have named our little girl, but are waiting this time to announce.
Ill get back with you all once we hear from the doctors. We'd appreciate your prayers, as always!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Sunday, June 2, 2013
22 weeks
I am such the slacker! I haven't taken a belly shot in awhile now, so thought I'd better get on it! I'm doing well and feeling pretty good. I take a nap pretty much everyday in the afternoon which allows me to be a functioning part of society, but other than that I feel great!
We have been busy kicking names around. This last girl has been harder to name for us! We may actually wait until she is born to announce her name. We are also trying to figure out the when and how of moving Sadie and Keller into a room together. We really aren't looking forward to it. Keller usually wakes up earlier than Sadie and they will probably keep each other up at night, but I'm sure it will workout somehow! Plus, I had just decorated Sadie's room last November and LOVE it. Unfortunately, we will have to take this room for the baby though because it is much smaller than Keller's.
I am planning on switching OB practices after my next appointment. I am only doing this because the new practice offers water births for women attempting a vbac. Otherwise, I would stay put where I am. The new practice is like a 45 minute haul for me. Not looking forward to that! But, I really think it is where I need to be.
Hope you all had a good weekend!
We have been busy kicking names around. This last girl has been harder to name for us! We may actually wait until she is born to announce her name. We are also trying to figure out the when and how of moving Sadie and Keller into a room together. We really aren't looking forward to it. Keller usually wakes up earlier than Sadie and they will probably keep each other up at night, but I'm sure it will workout somehow! Plus, I had just decorated Sadie's room last November and LOVE it. Unfortunately, we will have to take this room for the baby though because it is much smaller than Keller's.
I am planning on switching OB practices after my next appointment. I am only doing this because the new practice offers water births for women attempting a vbac. Otherwise, I would stay put where I am. The new practice is like a 45 minute haul for me. Not looking forward to that! But, I really think it is where I need to be.
Hope you all had a good weekend!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Keller's Birthday
Keller's birthday was on Sunday and we had such an awesome day celebrating her! We started the day with her getting her biggest present upon walking into the family room in the morning. It was a Step 2 big toy house for her to play in. She LOVES it! She must have pushed the doorbell a thousand times : ). After breakfast and present opening, we went to the zoo. Keller hadn't been there since she was 6 months old, so she was very entertained by some of the animals. But, to be honest, I think her favorite part was riding the merry-go-round carousel (another first) in the kid's zone. We rode it twice and she wanted to ride it a third time, but we needed to get home. She pitched a fit getting off that ride!! After naps (Mama included!), we had some of our best friends over for dinner and Elmo cake to celebrate. All of the kids had a blast in the jumpy house and new playhouse out back. It was perfect weather and so much fun! Keller was looking forward to her Elmo cake all week. It was so funny! Anytime we mentioned that her birthday was coming up, the first thing out of her mouth was "Elmo cake!" with full enthusiasm. The incredibly sad part is that Jeff recorded her big moment of blowing out her 2 candles on the Elmo cake, but later realized that for some reason the camera didn't record it. I was so bummed. I still haven't gotten over not having that moment recorded! I don't even have a picture of the cake that she loved so much! Ok. Can't talk about it anymore. I'm getting worked up. : )
Anyway, a few things about our sweet girl and then some pictures of our day....
Keller is ALL girl! She loves to dress up in princess clothes, crowns, jewels, you name it. Just this morning I went into their playroom and she had about 7 necklaces on. She also LOVES baby dolls. Anywhere we go, she will find a baby doll to hold. She has an American Girl Little Itty Bitty baby with outfits, diaper bag, feeding chair and she has a couple of other dolls that she also loves to baby. Even her lovey, she calls "BaBa"- short for baby. She feeds them, changes their diapers, burps them, etc... It is really cute to watch. Sadie was never much into dolls, so this is a new thing for me.
Keller is a total snuggle bunny. She has THE sweetest smile that lights up a room and an infectious laugh that really does brighten your mood. She loves hugs and kisses and snuggling on the couch.
Keller loves her big sister. She and Sadie have a great time playing (in between all of their sibling squabbles). They play princess together, tea party, house, and hide and go seek. It is SO cute to watch Keller try to count to 10 (Onnnee, twoooo-ooo, fourrrrrrr, siiiiiiiix, teeeeeenn!) - it doesn't give you a whole lot of time to hide! But she sure does love that game. She and Sadie hide from Daddy pretty much every day when he gets home from work. The funniest is going to find Keller and seeing half of her body hanging out from under the bed with only her head actually hiding. Too cute! When she and Sadie do get into squabbles and she needs to apologize, Keller leans her head into Sadie's chest and says, "Sawweeyy" and gives her a kiss. Precious.
Keller loves to read books. Of course, anything related to Elmo or babies is best, but she also really likes Eric Carlisle's (I think that is how you spell his name) The Hungry Caterpillar and Cricket books. Her favorite book about babies is one that I picked up from a Homeschooling conference. It is a collection of Eloise Wilkin's stories and published through Little Golden Books. It is so cute. Seriously. They made some really great books back in the 50s, 60s! The illustrations in these stories are amazing.
Talking about being all girl, Keller also loves to be massaged. Ok. So, this is kinda funny, but it all started when Keller had some really dry skin on her behind. We started rubbing her back and bottom with lotion every night to relieve the dryness. Well, it has created a monster! She now somewhat demands that we rub her back and bottom every night (and morning if we let her get crazy). And she is very particular about it. One morning the lotion was out and so I decided to try to just give her a little rub without the lotion. Well, obviously it wasn't going well because she got off of her belly (massage position), sat up and handed me the lotion and said "GA!" (her word for "Here!!"). It totally cracked me up.
She is also very particular in general. I hardly ever have to cut her fingernails because she takes care of them herself. Seriously! She will have a little snag and will work at it until it is off. If she has trouble, she will find me to tell me about it and demand that I help her get the snag to be smooth. She also can tend to get frustrated if she can't get a toy to work the way she wants it to or fit a puzzle piece in the right hole. She closes drawers that are open and generally likes things tidy. She will be the one organized one in our family. Thanks be to God!! I am going to love having her skills in our home! : )
Lastly, Keller has begun to sing a little bit. It is so cute to listen to her try to sing "Jesus Loves Me" when I sing it to her every night. She also sings the "B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that's the book for me!" song when it plays in our van. She also loves to pray for her sister, Sadie, and the baby in mommy's tummy.
Now that I have written a novel, here are some pictures of the weekend...
Anyway, a few things about our sweet girl and then some pictures of our day....
Keller is a total snuggle bunny. She has THE sweetest smile that lights up a room and an infectious laugh that really does brighten your mood. She loves hugs and kisses and snuggling on the couch.
Keller loves her big sister. She and Sadie have a great time playing (in between all of their sibling squabbles). They play princess together, tea party, house, and hide and go seek. It is SO cute to watch Keller try to count to 10 (Onnnee, twoooo-ooo, fourrrrrrr, siiiiiiiix, teeeeeenn!) - it doesn't give you a whole lot of time to hide! But she sure does love that game. She and Sadie hide from Daddy pretty much every day when he gets home from work. The funniest is going to find Keller and seeing half of her body hanging out from under the bed with only her head actually hiding. Too cute! When she and Sadie do get into squabbles and she needs to apologize, Keller leans her head into Sadie's chest and says, "Sawweeyy" and gives her a kiss. Precious.
Keller loves to read books. Of course, anything related to Elmo or babies is best, but she also really likes Eric Carlisle's (I think that is how you spell his name) The Hungry Caterpillar and Cricket books. Her favorite book about babies is one that I picked up from a Homeschooling conference. It is a collection of Eloise Wilkin's stories and published through Little Golden Books. It is so cute. Seriously. They made some really great books back in the 50s, 60s! The illustrations in these stories are amazing.
Talking about being all girl, Keller also loves to be massaged. Ok. So, this is kinda funny, but it all started when Keller had some really dry skin on her behind. We started rubbing her back and bottom with lotion every night to relieve the dryness. Well, it has created a monster! She now somewhat demands that we rub her back and bottom every night (and morning if we let her get crazy). And she is very particular about it. One morning the lotion was out and so I decided to try to just give her a little rub without the lotion. Well, obviously it wasn't going well because she got off of her belly (massage position), sat up and handed me the lotion and said "GA!" (her word for "Here!!"). It totally cracked me up.
She is also very particular in general. I hardly ever have to cut her fingernails because she takes care of them herself. Seriously! She will have a little snag and will work at it until it is off. If she has trouble, she will find me to tell me about it and demand that I help her get the snag to be smooth. She also can tend to get frustrated if she can't get a toy to work the way she wants it to or fit a puzzle piece in the right hole. She closes drawers that are open and generally likes things tidy. She will be the one organized one in our family. Thanks be to God!! I am going to love having her skills in our home! : )
Lastly, Keller has begun to sing a little bit. It is so cute to listen to her try to sing "Jesus Loves Me" when I sing it to her every night. She also sings the "B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that's the book for me!" song when it plays in our van. She also loves to pray for her sister, Sadie, and the baby in mommy's tummy.
Now that I have written a novel, here are some pictures of the weekend...
 |
| A new booster chair for her American Girl baby |
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| In her new house. So sad that this pix was a bit blurry. Her smile is so cute here! |
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| Opening presents |
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| On the merry-go-round |
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| Sadie was not wanting to be very cooperative for pictures! |
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| At the zoo! |
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| Eating her Elmo cake |
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| Picnic fun with her favorite boys and Sadie |
Monday, May 27, 2013
Anyone need some free PIO?
I found 3 bottles of unopened Progesterone in Oil that I forgot I had while cleaning out my closet tonight. Anyone want it? It expires in August and I hate for it to go to waste! It is in Ethyl Oleate, not sesame or cottonseed oil. The NEDC prescribed this one for me after I had a reaction to the other. The oils are completely interchangeable, so you can use this one even if you started with a different oil. This oil is a little thinner, so less painful over time. Let me know if you want it!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Anatomy Scan
We had our anatomy scan this morning and everything went really well. Our sweet little girl is 8 oz and looks perfect! All of our genetic testing came back negative as well, not that we were super concerned about that, but nice to know : )
This second trimester has been going by really quickly. I feel great for the most part, but still take a nap pretty much every afternoon. Little girl's kicks are getting much stronger - my favorite part of pregnancy.
I am having a hard time deciding what to do about my OB/midwife. I may switch to a midwife practice in downtown Atlanta only because they offer water births for women attempting a VBAC. It is the only practice that does so for VBACS, but I really like the practice I am in as well and they are closer to home. It would take me like 40-45 minutes to get to the practice downtown, but they are SUPER recommended as THE practice to go to if you want a VBAC. Decisions, decisions!! My current midwife is so sweet and told me this morning that she would support me with whatever I decide to do. I wish so much that we could have the option for a water birth up here in the northern suburbs of Atlanta.
Baby girl Keller is turning 2 this weekend!!! I can't believe it. I will have to write another post just about her. Here little personality has really blossomed and I fall more and more in love with her every day. She is so sweet and such a little snuggle bunny! We plan on taking her to the zoo on her actual birthday, which I know she will love.
Re-reading this post - I sound all over the map! Ha. Pregnancy brain. Lots of random thoughts to share.... I have enjoyed keeping up with everyone's posts and praying for you all!!
This second trimester has been going by really quickly. I feel great for the most part, but still take a nap pretty much every afternoon. Little girl's kicks are getting much stronger - my favorite part of pregnancy.
I am having a hard time deciding what to do about my OB/midwife. I may switch to a midwife practice in downtown Atlanta only because they offer water births for women attempting a VBAC. It is the only practice that does so for VBACS, but I really like the practice I am in as well and they are closer to home. It would take me like 40-45 minutes to get to the practice downtown, but they are SUPER recommended as THE practice to go to if you want a VBAC. Decisions, decisions!! My current midwife is so sweet and told me this morning that she would support me with whatever I decide to do. I wish so much that we could have the option for a water birth up here in the northern suburbs of Atlanta.
Baby girl Keller is turning 2 this weekend!!! I can't believe it. I will have to write another post just about her. Here little personality has really blossomed and I fall more and more in love with her every day. She is so sweet and such a little snuggle bunny! We plan on taking her to the zoo on her actual birthday, which I know she will love.
Re-reading this post - I sound all over the map! Ha. Pregnancy brain. Lots of random thoughts to share.... I have enjoyed keeping up with everyone's posts and praying for you all!!
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