Monday, June 29, 2009

Monday mini album: Pregnancy

I finally finished my pregnancy album. I based it off the design by Moon Ko and love it so much I now want to re-do my pregnancy album with Mason. I'm really into the simplified designs for my layouts these days, inspired by Cathy Zielske and Ali Edwards.

To create this album I used a Real Simple index card holder bought at Target, removed the screw and index cards. Then punched a second hole in the front and back covers with my Crop-a-dile. Used the cover to trace onto chipboard and made my pages. Then I used a girly paper pack I bought from Michael's. I think the manufacturer is Making Memories. Created the journaling on my computer, printed them out and attached them by running through my Xyron 500 machine. Above is the cover and these are the pages. Click on them to make them bigger. Enjoy!

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

30 some odd years... (I think)


I guess I never really paid attention. When I mentioned it was my parents anniversary today, Fred asked me how long they'd been married and I drew a blank. Stood there dumbfounded and wondering why is it that I have no idea. I'll go find out and then next year I won't feel so stupid.

Happy Anniversary to the greatest parents in the world!!!

Love you!

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Today... June 24th

The Simple Woman's Day Book via Ali Edwards and Cathy Zielske:

Outside my window... my neighbors. The lack of privacy in this neighborhood sucks but it's a tradeoff for a having kids Mason's age around.

I am thinking... motherhood is way harder the second time around.

I am thankful for... Grandma Sunday, when my mom takes Mason for the day and life is a little less hectic. For DVR, so I can record all of Mason's favorite shows and play them "on demand." Especially in the mornings so he is distracted and I can try to catch some extra zzzzz's.

From the kitchen... italian style pot roast. Fred's favorite. smells good cooking in the crockpot.

I am wearing... my size 12 jeans and one of my fave sweater shirts from the gap. Yay for non preggo clothes.

I am reading... It Sucked and then I Cried by Heather Armstrong. Finding it totally hilarious just like her blog.

I am hoping... to re-connect as a family. Things feel so out of whack right now and I just need to feel some sense of normalcy and security to get back on track.

I am creating... a "Conversations with Mason" digital album based on the ECWL class album design. Stay tuned for a sneak peak. And thank you cards for all the baby stuff.

I am praying... Sophie learns to sleep through the night soon. We could all use some serious quality R.E.M. and that Mason gets through this phase he is in. Crying in stereo is weighing heavily on my stress level and getting me to my breaking point.

I am listening... to the sound of Sophie breathing as she sleeps on my chest and to Mason saying "woah" as he pretends to fall of the couch.

Around the house... lots of toys and dirty laundry to be done.

One of my favorite things... caffeine. It gets me through the day.

A few plans for the rest of the week... pick up some Disney Pixar DVD's from Target tomorrow. Head back to the grocery store at some point. Wish myself a happy birthday, get our family portrait taken and ride on top of the Fire Truck during the local FD's open house on Sunday.

A picture to share...



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Sunday, June 21, 2009

Celebrating Dads

Dad's get the shaft this year. Store bought cards. Sorry. I just haven't found the time between making birth announcements and thank you cards. On top of learning to be a family of four instead of three. Things have been difficult these last few weeks. Lots of tantrums, crying and frustration by kids and adults. But it is getting easier and will only get better. Just as this wonderful song I heard on the radio the other day stated, "it won't be like this for long." Who sings this? Darius Rucker. Yes, the very one from the band Hootie and the Blowfish. Thought they fell off the face of the earth, much to my disappointment as I was a big fan. But here he is, back, and as a Country artist. LOVE IT! Anyway, the lyrics seemed oh so appropriate given the status of our lives currently and well its Fathers Day.

For My Dear Husband
You are the a wonderful father to both our children. Your relationship with Mason is so special. I see it in his eyes everyday you leave for work and in the smile when you get home. I hear it in his voice when he talks about cars and feel it when the two of you embrace as we put him down for the night. I know that when it comes to Sophie things have been difficult. It has been a less than perfect beginning to this grand new adventure. Through it all, I know you love her already. I see it when you hold her and she falls asleep on your chest and I hear it in your voice as you try to calm her cries at night. And it all seems worth it when you hold me at night and whisper it will be o.k. It's in these moments; watching you with Mason, listening to you with Sophie and feeling you holding me, that I know I am blessed. I know we can make it through anything. And I love you even more. Happy Father's Day!!




For My Father
My father and I have always been close. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a daddy's girl. There is a special place in my heart for my father. Growing up he always showed me so much love. By sneaking into my room early in the morning before heading to work to leave me candy and a card for Valentine's Day. In fact my Dad never missed a holiday or any occasion to give me a card. No matter how small. I like to think this is where I got my habitual giving of cards. Not only did he show his love through written words he was always there to listen to me when I just needed to cry or let it out. And giving advice that only a father could, without judgement. He taught me to ride a bike, throw and pitch, and was present at every swim meet and softball game. My father not only encouraged my dreams but celebrated my accomplishments with pride and shared in my failures with tears. More than anything, my father never gave up on me. Even if I gave up on myself.
I have so many wonderful memories of my childhood. Thank you dad for everything. I delight in the summers we spent at Orioles baseball games and diving for coins at the pool. I will always have those Froggy Greenback stories and hope to pass them on to my kids, though I will never be able to tell them as good as you. I'm so glad I had you there by my side, arm in arm as we walked down the aisle and you gave me away. One of the best memories to date. And now the moments of you holding your grandson and granddaughter for the first time will stay with me forever. I love you, daddy. Happy Father's Day!

*This picture is circa 1996. My dad was Santa @ a Band event & I took pictures.
One of my friends captured this one during a break. It's one of my favorites of
me and my dad.

P.S. Yesterday was also my daddy's birthday. Happy Belated Birthday Dad!!

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Saturday, June 13, 2009

Overheard

Mason: that's MY baby.

This was said while our neighbors and their kids were admiring baby Sophie for the first time. Mason got very protective when the kids got too close. I thought it was the cutest thing.


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Monday, June 8, 2009

She's Here!



So I am a little bit behind in my blogging. I blame it on the fact that I was in the hospital for 5 days and now have been home trying to heal.

The highly anticipated day arrived. May 28th. Mason was dropped off at my mom's the night before after our pre-op. Now the pre-op. If it was supposed to reassure me of what to expect it failed miserably. I feel that some things you just don't need to go into detail about and the spinal and epidural would fall under that particular category. I was highly emotional after that excruciatingly long meeting and spent the rest of the night trying to calm myself down. Though not before I had the cutest conversation with Mason before saying our good-byes.

Me: "I'm going to miss you buddy." Trying to hold back tears.
Mason: "I miss you too mommy." Looking at me with his head in his hands and a sweet little voice.
Fred: "you two are pathetic."

Can't help it. Sorry babe. You are stuck with two emotional fools.

So on to the main event. My c-section was scheduled for 12:30 so we arrived at 10am in early preparation so they could get me hydrated with the IV ASAP. Especially since I was not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight. We arrived and were told that things were on schedule so it looked good. But it would not remain that way. We unfortunately got bumped twice for an emergency section and someone else in labor. Ugh! So after much anticipated waiting and fretting I was on my way to the O.R. at 2:30pm.
Fred was not allowed in the room while they administered the spinal and epidural. It was the worst thing I had to go through alone. I barely made it through. About to pass out, they finally finished and I was able to lay down just in the nick of time. Then during the prepping I got sick. Got some meds and started to feel better. Fred was able to come in at this point and stood by my head. The atmosphere of a scheduled cesarian is much different. It was laid back and people were talking to me. Music was playing in the background. Much to Fred's delight, they allowed him to watch as Sophie was pulled out of my stomach. As he describes it though, it was more like violent yanking. Of course I felt nothing but some pressure (THANK GOD). Once she was out they cleaned her up and yelled out the stats: 7lbs. 4oz. 19 and 1/2 in. "That's it," I thought. I totally was expecting at least an 8 pounder and she turned out to be not much bigger than Mason.
The best part came during the stitching me up phase. I was feeling sick all over again and found myself on the verge of breaking down when they brought over the cutest little bundle and laid her down next to my head. I was able to kiss her face and look at her for quite some time before they took her up to the nursery. Much different than Mason, who was whisked away right after his birth. It helped calm me and got me through the procedure.
Finally done, I was wheeled into the recovery room, where I had a much nicer nurse this time, who lightly pressed on my belly from time to time to make sure everything was closed up good. Then after about an hour or so I was taken to my room. We got the corner suite, much bigger than last time, though figured out it was just across the hall from the room we had with Mason. We spent the next 5 days in this room. Mason, Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Jenni all came to visit the following day and over the course of our stay we would have four more friends visit.
*I think there is something that says you have to look like shit just after having a baby

Surprisingly, my recovery has been swift this time around. I suppose that it mostly due to On-Q, aka pain buster, the post op pain relief system my doctor is trying out. I am the third person he has used it with. According to Fred that makes me the guinea pig.
A catheter is inserted at the incision site and delivers a local anesthetic directly to the surgical site. It is non-narcotic and is designed to get patients on their feet faster after surgery. Well they had me up and walking within 24 hours after my cesarian, and right now I haven't had to take any percocet in three days and feel fairly pain free, so it works. The only thing that bothered me was that I had to carry around this pouch that held the medicine and it was annoying, but worth it.
We have been home for a week now and trying to get into the swing of things but it is slow going. It's always difficult when you have house guests, but add on top of it a new baby and trying to heal from surgery and you can possibly imagine the stress and chaos that is our lives right now. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I am longing for the day that I get to be alone with my two children. We haven't been able to bond as a family yet, or establish a routine. I think once we do that, it will get better. Till then, just taking it one day at a time.


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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Another Birthday Wish

A wonderful thing happened 32 years ago today. My husband was born, and the world is better for it. He is such a wonderful man and excellent father. Since he does not like his picture taken I don't really have any of just him, and none that are recent. So here is my favorite of the love of my life. 



The day was mostly spent preparing for Nana's visit. That meant cleaning. But he went down for a nap and me, the kids and my mom went out to Target to let him sleep. Also wanted to buy him a cake. Mason decided that cupcakes with sprinkles daddy would like better. Then we told him it was a secret but of course the first thing Mason said when we walked in the door was, "Daddy we got a birthday cake for you!" *sigh* After dinner Mason sang Happy Birthday, we had the cupcakes and then Mason had a bath. 

It was a busy day and I know it's been an exhausting couple of days recently with the birth of our daughter and just getting home from the hospital. None the less. Happy Birthday, Babe.  I hope it was a good one. 
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