Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Not Pregnant Anymore! Or Again!

So. Long time no blog, eh?

Baby H was born May 23, 2010, 9 days past her due date. And right on time.

We now have a first grader (E), a preschooler (D), a 2-year-old (Miss Baby M), and an almost-6 month old (H). So, you can see why I do not have time for blogging.

SuperDad has entered the world of gluten free living, and is the healthier for it.

And I feel that I've somewhat said everything that needs to be said about living life gluten free and on a budget. Because, here's the bottom line: Save money other places. Health is more important.

We've recently subscribed to the gluten-free menus at mealtimemakeover dot com, and have really been enjoying that. The shopping lists are more expensive than what I usually spend on groceries, but we're enjoying new meals, and we're eating out less. And they very much understand that the key to affordable and satisfying gluten-free eating is not replacing everything with a gluten free version, but to eat mostly naturally gluten free foods. I would definitely recommend checking it out, and for $5/month, it's just worth a try.

As for me, I'm busy, and happy. And working on my doula certification. And after that, well, who knows?

So… anyone want to hear a birth story, before I sign off?

I was 9 days over due, and I'd been having serious contractions for days. I was contemplating castor oil. But a tornado that had touched down the night before seemed to do the trick. Despite having gone into full-blown labor in the middle of the night, like I did in the previous two pregnancies, that wasn't how it worked out this time.

On May 23rd, a Sunday afternoon, I was having very strong but very irregular contractions, and I wasn't sure if I should head to the hospital or not, since the contractions weren't especially close together. Finally, I decided it was time, based really on nothing at all other than intuition. We got childcare lined up, waited for a break between contractions, and ran for the car. It seemed like the whole neighborhood was outside that day and they waved and wished me luck. (For the record, sneaking off in the middle of the night is better!)

On the short drive to the hospital, the contractions stopped. I wasn't even sure if I should bother getting out of the car. Thankfully, I decided that one way or another, I wasn't turning back, and headed into the hospital.

The nurse took us to the triage room, and since my contractions had really slowed down, she probably had her doubts that I was really in labor. However, while I was changing, I had a couple of strong enough contractions that the nurse rushed us out and into a delivery room. And on that walk, she let me know that Dr. K was out of town. Me=unhappy. But she reassured me that his back-up, Dr. M, would do just fine with a natural birth, and that I was definitely with the right group of doctors. (She was correct.)

My lovely nurse rushed through the check-in procedures (I was disappointed to only be at 4 cm at that point) so that I could do my GBS antibiotics in the tub. Wonderful, wonderful. Honestly, the nurses were awesome about following my birth plan.

I spent some time in the tub as the contractions intensified (though I don't know that they ever got much closer together). I did some panicky flailing. I punched SuperDad in the eye. I didn't feel badly about it.

The doctor arrived and checked me (7 cm now) and asked to break my water. He said he wasn't going to pressure me, but that he wanted to get things moving for me. Ahem. Not in love with that part. But I agreed, especially considering I was already pushing. Really, though, there wasn't much water to break, compared to my previous 37-weeker.

The doctor then left. Not smart on his part, really, because the nurse was almost immediately catching the head. Thanks to my lack of communication, though, I was able to deliver on hands-and-knees, which of course was the perfect position for my baby, who turned out to be in a posterior presentation.

With a pause to remove a nuchal cord, Baby H was born, 8 pounds, 8 ounces (my smallest baby, if you can believe it) at 4:57, just an hour and half after I paused in the hospital parking lot and considered going home.

She had a great latch and was *starving*, and we enjoyed a few days in the hospital together. Because they have cable and little cups of orange sherbet, and someone else does the cleaning.

H has been an absolute joy and blessing to each of us, every single day of her life. She is possibly made of sunshine.

And I think that's all, folks! It's been fun!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Still Pregnant

In case you were wondering.

I'm alllmost 38 weeks pregnant. Okay, I'm 37 1/2 weeks pregnant. Whatever.

This weekend, I crossed the last thing off my to-do list. To done. Consider us fully nested. (Hint, hint, Baby. You can come anytime now.)

We have saved enough cash that I can take a 12-week maternity leave. I'm beyond excited, not only to meet my new baby, but to spend 12 weeks with ALL my babies. And SuperDad too. How many families are lucky enough to spend 12 weeks together?

:)

I'll let you know when we have news to share!

In the meanwhile, enjoy the names E and D gave their Easter eggs.



Monday, April 5, 2010

Friday, March 5, 2010

Update, Upon Request

I… am 30 weeks pregnant. After a short detour into Whatever-Will-Stay-Down Land, I am back off gluten. I have to say, I eat so much healthier now.

SuperDad… is, for the first time ever, actually giving gluten-free living a real try. Go SuperDad! 

E… On March 11th, she will celebrate 4 years off of gluten!  Wow!  Where does the time go?  School lunch was our biggest challenge recently. She packs her lunch every day. She either has leftovers (GF spaghetti, GF mac & cheese, and soup are some of her faves) or PB & J* (as of now, her school still allows peanut butter), along with fruit (grapes, sometimes applesauce), and yogurt or string cheese. I was worried, but things have gone really well. She's old enough now (almost 6) that she knows what she can have, and what she can't.

D… Is almost 4. He recently had very minor surgery to put in ear tubes. He hasn't ever had an ear infection, but he had lost almost all of his hearing due to trapped fluid. After a 7-minute surgery, he's good as new!

Miss Baby M… Is 17 months old.  She has no idea what is about to happen to her life about 10 weeks from now!  She has never had gluten.

*I don't know that I've ever shared it, so below you will find our very best ever gluten-free bread recipe, the result of much fine tuning.

SuperDad's Super Gluten Free Bread

½ t dried yeast
2 t xanthan gum
¾ c white rice flour
¾ c brown rice flour
¾ c tapioca flour
1 t salt
2 T sugar (can replace with honey)
1/3 c dry milk substitute
2 eggs
3 T vegetable oil
1 t apple cider vinegar
1 c warm water

Mix dry ingredients in lg. bowl. Mix in all other ingredients. Stir just to mix. Place in bread machine. Use Light setting.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

For My Own Future Reference

Excellent deals to be had at JCPenney's today. Kids' winter coats 75% off.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Baby-Planning Plan

Shall we update? I'm 33 weeks along now. Am I ready?

Anyone have advice for eating gluten free in a hospital? Other than "bring your own food!"?

This is the 4th time I've planned for a new baby. I am a list maker (and list keeper) by nature, so each time I have improved on my baby-planning plan.

I keep my baby-planning plan in a small notebook I keep in my purse, and it has nine, separate, tabbed sections. (And now you're thinking, "Hellooooo, crazy person!")

1. Doula
Uh... found one. Kind of. But considering going without. Eeep. This is the name(s) and number(s) of the doula(s) I am considering. If I can find even one.

2. Announcements
Done. A listing of everyone to whom I will send a birth announcement. I updated everyone's mailing label (Okay, stop. Confession time. I actually made mailing labels for the very first time ever when I sent Christmas cards this year. In so many ways, I'm a girl that likes to write things out by hand, but it was getting to be a bit much these days. So I have mailing labels now. Welcome to the 90's. Or something.)

3. Contacts
Done. Phone numbers and email addresses for people I may want to call from the hospital. Or more like, "Hey, SuperDad, call these people. And bring me enchiladas!"

4. To Do
Still left on my to-do list, with goal dates:
Still not done. Update all baby books - 12/19/09 (ahem)
Done. Move desktop computer upstairs - 1/2/10 (hi, not done yet)
Still not done. Update wills - 1/16/10 (soon?)
Done. Sew blanket for new baby - 2/6/10 (fabric is bought)
Done. Pack hospital bag - 3/13/10
Done. Install car seat - 4/3/10
Not done. Not yet scheduled to be done. Does not count. Sterilize bottles and pump parts - 4/10/10
Not done. But hospital has reverted to normal visitor policies, so needs to be done. Buy gifts for kids to open at hospital - 4/17/10 (actually, as it is now, they aren't even allowed to visit the hospital, so we'll see)

5. Hospital Packing List
Done. (This is so, so different than it used to be. I'm getting good at it now.)
Swim suits (to wear in Jacuzzi)
Lip balm
Clothes
Toiletry bag, stocked
Slipper socks
Snacks
Outfits for baby (Want to make sure your baby doesn't get switched for someone else's baby? Step 1: Keep them with you. Step 2: Dress them in adorable, non-hospital outfits! Step 3: Look at the kid. I don't get how people think all babies look the same. Our kids look like our kids, from day one. And, also, not that much like Winston Churchill. Mr. Magoo, maybe.)

Blankets
Nail clippers
Kid gifts (or not)
Baby book
Baby coat
Car seat cover
Birth plan

6. Names

Done.

7. Questions for Doctor
I say "questions" but I mean "This is what I'm going to do, if you have a PROBLEM with that, let me know now."

Done. Pleased.

8. To Do List, After Baby Arrives
So far:
Make and send birth announcements
Send thank yous (if anyone buys gifts for a fourth child, that is! Hee.)
Join a gym (Haaaa ha ha ha ha)

9. Maternity Leave Budget

I'm not sure that you care or whatever, but that's my baby planning plan, for posterity. Or to annoy you.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Help Request!

Hello readers!

A child of a friend of a friend (hee) was just diagnosed as gluten free. What were your favorite web sites, books, or any other resources for getting started gluten free?


Sunday, December 20, 2009

MeMe



Totally copied from Swistle, because she said I could. Feel free to copy it your own self too!


Eggnog or hot chocolate? I've never had eggnog, so I'm going with hot chocolate.

Does Santa wrap the presents or leave them open under the tree? Of course Santa doesn't wrap presents! That would be MADNESS! ;)

Colored lights on a tree or white? White, though SuperDad protests.

Do you hang mistletoe? No, but I should.

When do you put your decorations up? We try to do it on SuperDad's birthday, which is December 8th.

What is your favorite holiday dish? Turkey

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, all the family gifts to each other are opened Christmas Eve, and tend to be more of the boring socks, underwear, PJs variety, while Santa brings the good stuff. Because he's nicer than I am.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? This year we have a lovely "band" of ornaments around the tree, just high enough for E to reach, but out of reach for M. ;)

Snow: love it or hate it? Uh. It is.

Can you ice skate? No. I can barely walk some days.

What is your favorite holiday dessert? Turkey!

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Eating candy for breakfast on Christmas Day!

Candy canes: yum or yuck? Not my fave, not exactly yuck.

Favorite Christmas show? A Christmas Story.

And you know how much I like to sneak big news right here at the bottom to reward anyone who actually reads: The baby is a GIRL!!! Woo! :) Visions of matching outfits for my two baby girls are already dancing in my head. SuperDad forbids rhyming twin-like names, though. Party pooper.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

It's hard being 3. It's harder being 34.

Me: Okay, D, when Dad picks you up from preschool, be sure to tell him, "Happy Birthday!" okay?
D: Okay.
Me: What should you say, again?
D: Happy birthday!

Later

SuperDad: Hey bud, how was school?
D: I wish it was my birthday.
SuperDad: You do?
D: But it's not. It's your birthday. Happy birthday. (displays sadness)



Thursday, December 3, 2009

Off Topic

I was going to write a post today about running into someone who hated me in junior high (ahem, probably for good reason) and how it made me feel embarrassed about my jalopy of a car and how I don't often feel that way, and I don't think feeling that way is useful, but those feelings sometimes sneak in anyway.

But instead, I'd like to say that something miraculous has happened to me. And it's that my heart has somehow, some way softened toward dogs. I wasn't exactly an anti-dog person, but fell firmly on the "cats are great" side of things instead. But I've realized something about dogs. And it's that, some dogs let you treat them like BABIES. FOREVER. I just love having a baby in the house, I really and truly do. I love having someone who will let me cuddle them non-stop, but kids, eventually they grow out of that. But from what I understand, there are some dogs who don't!

My cats are cuddlers, don't get me wrong. But I can't exactly put them in my purse and take them to the store with me. I mean, unless I wanted to lose limbs and whatnot.

So, don't be too surprised when someday you see me carrying around a dog wearing a baby sweater. It could happen.

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