Well, I haven't posted in awhile and felt like I was missing you guys : ) So, here goes some random catch ups!
I am 28 weeks preggo today. Can hardly believe it. This pregnancy has been much harder than my pregnancy with Keller. The hernia is really painful most days, especially at the end of the day. Fortunately, I found something called a Belly Band that really helps ease the pain. I wear it a lot, but at times it can get super HOT. So, I try to wait until I can't bear the pain anymore. I am hoping that it will not interfere with delivery and that it will go away once I deliver. I would be so grateful!
I started having the usual "wake up in the middle of the night" horrible leg cramps, but started taking my Natural Calm Mag/Calcium supplement and voila! the cramps have disappeared! Love that stuff!
I am having back issues and my fatigue just came back like a hammer to the head, BUT you know what?? I am SO very thrilled to be having all of these minor inconveniences to be having our third daughter!! Our sweet baby girl is kicking me right now as she usually does when I am lying in my bed resting. It is my favorite part of pregnancy. I just love the closeness I feel having her right inside of me.
We are working on getting our house ready for Baby girl to arrive. We have to move Sadie into Keller's room and redecorate. Not looking forward to all of that, but I'm sure it will all work out. We had planned on moving into a new house this summer, but decided to wait on selling because in Atlanta it is really hard to find a house these days! Houses are selling in a matter of days and then you get into multiple offer wars trying to get a new one! We were so afraid that we wouldn't find something in time and that we would end up somewhere temporary and not have my mom be able to visit and stay with us (she is in a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury) when the baby comes. So, we decided to stay put for now.
Hubby and I went on a glorious baby moon last weekend. My parents live on a lake in Georgia called Lake Oconee and the Ritz Carlton has a fabulous resort there. In fact, Carrie Underwood got married there! It is so beautiful. Anyway, we dropped the kids off at my parents house and took the 10 minute drive over to the Ritz for the weekend. It was wonderful and oh so hard to leave on Sunday. It will be the last time we get away together for awhile, I am sure. I miss my man sometimes and all of the fun traveling we used to do. All worth it for having kids, but still something I really miss.
I have my first appointment at a new practice that I am transferring into. It is a midwifery practice and they are the only ones who offer water births for VBAC candidates. A few other hospitals offer water births, but not for VBACs. So, I am going to transfer there even though the hospital is like 45 minutes from our house. Supposedly, people come from all over to this practice - Alabama, Tennessee, etc... so, I guess my trip downtown isn't so bad. Just hope I'm not stuck in traffic during a super fast labor or something. Ha!
Have a great weekend!
Tracey
Friday, July 12, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Adoption Lifebooks
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!
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!
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...
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| 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!
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