Meet Eleanor Rose born October 7 2013 at 6:39 am via c-section.
I'm working on the birth story and hope to post it next week, but as expected I'm a little short on free time lately.
Until then, enjoy my sweet baby girl.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Military families on the move
We aren't a military family, but do know several who are and felt this was worth sharing.
Source
I've only moved 3 times in 28 years. From my parents house to an apartment with my best friend, then back to my parents and then to the house Rob and I live in. All 3 places where within just a few miles of one another in the same town, but coordinating schedules and help was tough.
Doing it every few years, if not more often, to places you've never been (and having to coordinate everything before ever arriving) seems near impossible, but it's a reality for many military families.
For more resources on various programs and benefits for military families visit Military Family or for more specific moving tips from a been there done that mom, visit The military move.
Source
I've only moved 3 times in 28 years. From my parents house to an apartment with my best friend, then back to my parents and then to the house Rob and I live in. All 3 places where within just a few miles of one another in the same town, but coordinating schedules and help was tough.
Doing it every few years, if not more often, to places you've never been (and having to coordinate everything before ever arriving) seems near impossible, but it's a reality for many military families.
For more resources on various programs and benefits for military families visit Military Family or for more specific moving tips from a been there done that mom, visit The military move.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Mighty Handle Review
*I was sent a product to review. All opinions are my own*
When I was first given the chance to review this product I had high hopes. A product that makes it easier to carry groceries in the house, and eliminates the need for extra trips? Yes please!
And if that wasn't enough, this product is made in the USA and is recyclable.
And if that wasn't enough, this product is made in the USA and is recyclable.
We do have a garage, but it's half full of Rob's things and only has room for one car to park. And since I'm not working I've let him have it now that it is cooler in the mornings and occasionally get's frost etc.. on the windows.
This means that when I grocery shop I have to grab bags, struggle to open the door one handed, bring bags in, and repeat the process making 3 or 4 trips. Our driveway isn't that big, but being really pregnant makes it tough because I get tired easily
So even though I was still going to be carrying a heavy load in, I could do it in less trips without loading my arms down.
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| A size comparison |
A few days after I got them (I was sent 2), I went grocery shopping. As I was loading the bags back into my cart, I was looping them onto the hook, and once it was full I twisted the hook to lock the bags in place and and loaded them into the car that way.
Because the hooks can hold a lot I only had to make 2 trips into my house. I don't have an image of me carrying them in since no one was home to take a picture for me.
This product did make things much more convenient for me just with groceries, but I'm sure there are many other uses for it such as carrying paint cans for example.
You can connect with them here on facebook or can purchase on amazon using the link below.
This product did make things much more convenient for me just with groceries, but I'm sure there are many other uses for it such as carrying paint cans for example.
You can connect with them here on facebook or can purchase on amazon using the link below.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Weekly Wrap Up 10/5
1) Last week when the internet was out I made a craft I had seen on pinterest. It wasn't perfect; the lid doesn't fit, and some of the bigger headbands are too big, but I think it still turned out. It cost me nothing, since I had all the materials on hand. I used scrapbook paper on the lid, and a scrap of fabric to cover the container.
2) Last Saturday I mentioned we were going to go to Artprize. We didn't go for long, but saw a few pieces. It's interesting to see what people deem art, because a lot of what I saw I would not say is art. A bridge made out of wood with a car underneath was one example. The colorful flags in the river wouldn't really be art to me either, but I still thought they were pretty.
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| This was made out of moss, concrete, grapevines and some other things. |
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| This entry was a room set up like a nursery, but guns all over. There was a mobile made out of little pink pistols, wall art using weapons shaped into something else. It was odd.
3) This week I won a signed book poster; not the prize I was hoping to win. I also won a copy of this game. I think my niece will like it.
 Then I won a prize pack from a blog as part of a going green blog hop, but I have no idea what is in it.so that will be a fun surprise when it arrives. And I also won this which will help organize baby stuff.  4) I got a few prizes I had already won last week. One was bath wash and shampoo for baby. I hopefully have enough that I won and was gifted that I won't have to buy any for a long time. Another was a pack of pampers wipes, and a $50 Babies R Us giftcard. Over the summer I won something from Keurig, but I didn't know it was a tumbler or k-cups. I got it and it was a pack of iced tea k-cups. Only neither of us are iced tea drinkers so I will probably give them away. And I won a $5 starbucks gift card from the app nexercise (I've mentioned it before) a few weeks ago and it came in the mail today. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do like the strawberries and cream frappachinos 5) If you want to see pictures of the baby when she shows up (which I feel like may never happen) follow me on instagram or facebook. I will post them to the blog, but it's so much easier to do via a computer and I might not be able to be on for a little while after she is born. I guess it depends on how anxious you are. Links to my pages are on the right sidebar. \ 6) This week had a sad moment. My mom's stepdad passed away. They (my grandma and him) had been married longer than my parents (30+ years), and he was the only grandpa I knew on that side. But he had a lot of health issues so I really didn't know him super well. His death wasn't a surprise since he had been home on hospice since late summer, but it still stinks. He was a nice guy, and I hate this for my grandma and all his kids and stepkids. They are having a family get together in a week, but I'm going to miss it. Since it's a week away baby should be here by that point and I won't feel comfortable bringing her to a group gathering. 7) That is the reason I will be missing my niece's first birthday party next week. I'm not okay bringing her around all those people. Especially during the start of flu season. But don't worry sweet Libby. I do have a gift for you! :) I can't believe she is turning one this week. Such a sweet little girl. She also shares a birthday with my best friend. Happy Birthday to Elisabeth (Libby) and Christina! At the rate this baby is going she might also share a birthday. Cousins exactly a year apart? That could be fun right? Although I hope both little girls can have their own special day too. 8) My cousin is getting married today. I think I just might make it to the wedding after all, but if not I just want to say congrats to Jessica and Thomas! 9) Still.no.baby. I know babies come when they are ready and I know 41 weeks 1 day is average for first time moms, but I'm starting to feel really frustrated and discouraged at this point. I feel like I'm being silly, because I'm only 4 days over, but I want to cry and it's starting to make me feel depressed.  If I'm still pregnant, which I probably will be at my appointment on Monday I'm thinking I might be ready to talk about a induction later in that week. A few days ago I would have said no way, but I might be ready now. I'm worried about how big she might get, and by the time she is born it will be past 41 weeks so I don't feel like it would be to early. I guess it's up to the doctor to make the best decision for us. |
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Friday, October 4, 2013
Pregnancy Reflections
As I enter the hopefully final days of this pregnancy (I'm 40 weeks 3 days), I've been thinking back on what the whole journey to get to this point was like.
I'm doing my best to make this post flow, but it may be choppy so I apologize.
When we first made the decision to try and start a family I thought we would be trying for a while. I knew the odds of conceiving each month and didn't want to get my hopes up of it happening so soon. To my surprise cycle 2 was successful, but that ended shortly after finding out. Then cycle 3 was another success and another early loss. On cycle 6 we got lucky again, and that pregnancy is about to result in a baby girl.
I do credit the fact that getting pregnant easily was in part due to my charting, which helped me determine the most fertile days. (Charting supplies). I would recommend charting any day to anyone who wants to become pregnant.
I expected to be constantly throwing up the first trimester, and I was lucky and didn't throw up more than a few times. I was however nauseous almost all the time, but that wasn't a complete surprise.
(Finding out I'm pregnant post)
Maybe it was me just being hopeful but I thought Rob would be one of those super helpful husbands. And I mean there are times where he's picked up something when I needed, but I've been stuck doing stuff on my own a lot. I have to beg a foot rub or back rub, and then when I do, it's for 2 minutes while he plays on his phone with the other hand. Or maybe it's not really true and just feels that way.
He has gotten better the closer to the end we have gotten.
I thought that this pregnancy I would have a constant job and job security and that wasn't the case. I had 4 different jobs this pregnancy. It caused a lot of stress on us and still does. I'm sure we will be okay, but it would have been nice to not have to worry about it.
I planned to be active throughout the whole pregnancy and take walks daily, but by week 30 it was clear that wasn't going to happen. I had (and still have) a lot of back pain. My back has always curved more than normal, and pregnancy just made it worse. Plus I gained most of my weight in my belly (and I'm thankful for that, I think), but that was another reason it put pressure on my back.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about being pregnant and feeling the baby move, but I have loved it. At times her movements have actually hurt, but I'm still pretty sure I'm going to miss feeling her from the inside.
I actually thought I might have this baby early. While I had been saying she would come past her date, I kind of thought she might be earlier. I'm only basing that on the fact that I was early (as was my brother and sister) and my sister had her baby early also.
Considering I'm now past my due date, and am experiencing no labor signs, I have no idea when she will show up.
I never fully understand how people could wish their babies here early (before 38 weeks), but I get it. I really have enjoyed being pregnant, but the last few months have been tough. I'm sore, in pain, and just uncomfortable. I'm so ready for her to get here and meet her.
I'm doing my best to make this post flow, but it may be choppy so I apologize.
When we first made the decision to try and start a family I thought we would be trying for a while. I knew the odds of conceiving each month and didn't want to get my hopes up of it happening so soon. To my surprise cycle 2 was successful, but that ended shortly after finding out. Then cycle 3 was another success and another early loss. On cycle 6 we got lucky again, and that pregnancy is about to result in a baby girl.
I do credit the fact that getting pregnant easily was in part due to my charting, which helped me determine the most fertile days. (Charting supplies). I would recommend charting any day to anyone who wants to become pregnant.
I expected to be constantly throwing up the first trimester, and I was lucky and didn't throw up more than a few times. I was however nauseous almost all the time, but that wasn't a complete surprise.
(Finding out I'm pregnant post)
Maybe it was me just being hopeful but I thought Rob would be one of those super helpful husbands. And I mean there are times where he's picked up something when I needed, but I've been stuck doing stuff on my own a lot. I have to beg a foot rub or back rub, and then when I do, it's for 2 minutes while he plays on his phone with the other hand. Or maybe it's not really true and just feels that way.
He has gotten better the closer to the end we have gotten.
Sorry for the over share but I never got the pregnancy libido increase. I don't enjoy sex because its awkward and uncomfortable now. We started off the pregnancy having pretty regular sex, and then it dropped down to once a week, and now it's once every few weeks that we even attempt it. Rob's response is to imply and make references to it multiple times a day (but maybe this is just a guy thing), although when I say okay, even he doesn't want to do it then. I know women on my birth month board who have had sex only a few times since January so consider yourself lucky. Lol.
I thought that this pregnancy I would have a constant job and job security and that wasn't the case. I had 4 different jobs this pregnancy. It caused a lot of stress on us and still does. I'm sure we will be okay, but it would have been nice to not have to worry about it.
I planned to be active throughout the whole pregnancy and take walks daily, but by week 30 it was clear that wasn't going to happen. I had (and still have) a lot of back pain. My back has always curved more than normal, and pregnancy just made it worse. Plus I gained most of my weight in my belly (and I'm thankful for that, I think), but that was another reason it put pressure on my back.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about being pregnant and feeling the baby move, but I have loved it. At times her movements have actually hurt, but I'm still pretty sure I'm going to miss feeling her from the inside.
I actually thought I might have this baby early. While I had been saying she would come past her date, I kind of thought she might be earlier. I'm only basing that on the fact that I was early (as was my brother and sister) and my sister had her baby early also.
Considering I'm now past my due date, and am experiencing no labor signs, I have no idea when she will show up.
I never fully understand how people could wish their babies here early (before 38 weeks), but I get it. I really have enjoyed being pregnant, but the last few months have been tough. I'm sore, in pain, and just uncomfortable. I'm so ready for her to get here and meet her.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Making progress~ 40 weeks 2 days
I had an appointment this morning and it went well.
Because I'm past my date now they did an non stress test (NST) where they hook up a contraction monitor and heart rate monitor and just watch it for a little bit. It only took 15 minutes maybe. She's quieter in the mornings anyway so she wasn't moving much. I was supposed to hit a button every time she moved or I had a contraction, but because she wasn't that active the nurse came in and used a little buzzer thing on my belly and that made her move a little bit. I was getting a little nervous because the nurse said if she didn't pick up I wouldn't pass it. I don't know what that would have meant.
When that was over I had the rest of my appointment where they checked to see if I was making progress. My ob said I'm really close to 3cm, 50-60% thinned out (or effaced), and her head is pretty low.
Last week I was close to 2cm, so it's progress. He said based on how my cervix opened when he checked, I could go into labor soon. I'm not putting to much hope into that though.
I have another appointment for Monday afternoon and I will do another nst then, assuming I'm still pregnant. At this point I'll go twice a week. I only made the one appointment because I was feeling optimistic that I wouldn't need it, but I also didn't think I would need this one today.
I'm having some cramping and spotting right now, but that's most likely from being checked.
And now for some fun gifs for reading this personal post :)
This is me: "Come out baby"
This is baby:
And me again:
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
40 weeks~ Happy due date
I usually write these posts throughout the week so that I can remember what I want to say, but I really didn't want to write this one so I started it later than I've done with any of them, in the hopes I wouldn't have to write it. Hopefully it will be the last one I write.
So it's my due date today, and baby isn't here yet.
So it's my due date today, and baby isn't here yet.
How far along: 40 weeks
Baby Size:
Weight: Still hanging out right around the 35 lb gained mark.
Symptoms:
Maternity Clothes: I have very few tops that fit, and only stretchy skirts and pants. Anything else just feels tight on my belly.
Sleep: Wednesday night I was up every single hour, Thursday night I didn't fall asleep until after 3am, Friday night I was up every 1 1/2 hour which I consider a good night. Rob asked me how I function. And that's why I sleep in until 10 am every morning.
The last few nights I actually slept in 1 1/2-2 hour stretches again, which like I said is a good night for me.
Cravings/Food Aversions: I can't eat much anymore. And usually only foods that would be classified as 'light' if that makes sense. I've been eating a lot of apples lately though.
And apple cider. Warm apple cider. Living in a big apple growing area has perks. I had been wanting apple cider for a while but it was $5 a gallon. Finally I just broke down and got some because I wanted it.
Belly Button: Out
Rings on or off: Off
Gender: Girl
Name: Eleanor Rose
Movement: She doesn't move much anymore which freaks me out sometimes. She's most active late in the day so naturally I'm nervous by that point.
Stretch Marks: I don't think I've gotten any new ones.
Best moment: I guess making it to my due date. Being able to say I made it 40 weeks is kind of cool, but at the same time I would have been okay saying I made it 39 weeks etc...
Looking forward to: Her being here and getting to hold her.
Nervous about: Labor, needing an induction
What I miss: Bending over, walking without pain
Labor signs: Contractions that I don't know if are real or fake. I tried making Rob have sex with me but it didn't do anything. I also tried walking around and that didn't get anything going either. So I don't know what is going to get her going.
Appointments: Thursday. If I'm still pregnant then they will do a non-stress test since I will be past my due date.
Misc. I got my first "Are you having twins?" comment over the weekend. 3 days before my due date. I thought I was going to be safe from that. When I said no then I got "you must be really ready, you look ready"
Baby Size:
Weight: Still hanging out right around the 35 lb gained mark.
Symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Restless Legs
- Braxton Hicks
- Alternating between being really hungry and nothing sounding good at all.
Maternity Clothes: I have very few tops that fit, and only stretchy skirts and pants. Anything else just feels tight on my belly.
Sleep: Wednesday night I was up every single hour, Thursday night I didn't fall asleep until after 3am, Friday night I was up every 1 1/2 hour which I consider a good night. Rob asked me how I function. And that's why I sleep in until 10 am every morning.
The last few nights I actually slept in 1 1/2-2 hour stretches again, which like I said is a good night for me.
Cravings/Food Aversions: I can't eat much anymore. And usually only foods that would be classified as 'light' if that makes sense. I've been eating a lot of apples lately though.
And apple cider. Warm apple cider. Living in a big apple growing area has perks. I had been wanting apple cider for a while but it was $5 a gallon. Finally I just broke down and got some because I wanted it.
Belly Button: Out
Rings on or off: Off
Gender: Girl
Name: Eleanor Rose
Movement: She doesn't move much anymore which freaks me out sometimes. She's most active late in the day so naturally I'm nervous by that point.
Stretch Marks: I don't think I've gotten any new ones.
Best moment: I guess making it to my due date. Being able to say I made it 40 weeks is kind of cool, but at the same time I would have been okay saying I made it 39 weeks etc...
Looking forward to: Her being here and getting to hold her.
Nervous about: Labor, needing an induction
What I miss: Bending over, walking without pain
Labor signs: Contractions that I don't know if are real or fake. I tried making Rob have sex with me but it didn't do anything. I also tried walking around and that didn't get anything going either. So I don't know what is going to get her going.
Appointments: Thursday. If I'm still pregnant then they will do a non-stress test since I will be past my due date.
Misc. I got my first "Are you having twins?" comment over the weekend. 3 days before my due date. I thought I was going to be safe from that. When I said no then I got "you must be really ready, you look ready"
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| 10, 20, 30 & 40 Weeks |
New October Coupons
Lots of coupons for Halloween candy, diapers, cereal and more. I wish some of these had been available before I went to the store on Sunday. Of course it would work that way though.
Breakfast
- $1.00 off 10oz Bag Folgers Gourmet Selections
- $0.70 off 1 Kellogg's Special K Nourish Hot Cereal
- $0.75 off ONE BOX Trix cereal
- $0.50 off ONE CUP Liberte yogurt
- $0.50 off ONE BOX Lucky Charms cereal
- $1.00 off TWO BOXES any flavor Cheerios cereals
- $0.50 off ONE Bisquick Heart Smart Baking Mix
- $0.50 off ONE BOX Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
- $0.50 off ONE BOX Original Cheerios cereal
- $0.75 off ONE BOX Total cereal
Meds & Personal Care
- $1.50 off Triple Paste medicated ointment
- $1.10 off any Colgate Mouthwash
- $2.00 off Burt's Bees Sensitive Face Care Product
- $3.00 off Revlon Foundation, Powder or BB Cream
- $2.00 off ONE Pantene Expert Collection product
- $2.00 off TWO Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoos
- $0.75 off Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner product
- $2.00 off TWO Pantene Shampoos or Conditioners
- $1.00 off ONE Pantene Styler or Treatment product
- $1.00 off any one (1) Vaprino™ A-D product
- $1.00 off any Afrin Nasal Spray
- $1.00 off any Coricidin HBP product
Meat & Meals
- $1.00 off JENNIE-O Sausage Roll
- $1.00 off JENNIE-O Turkey Bacon
- $3.00 off JENNIE-O OVEN READY™ Turkey Breast
- $1.00 off 2 HORMEL REV Wraps
- $1.50 off ONE (1) FRENCH's Crunch Time Entrees
- $0.80 off FOUR BOXES any Hamburger Helper
- $0.50 off TWO CANS any flavor Progresso Soups
- $1.00 off JENNIE-O All White Meat Turkey Burger
- $0.60 off THREE Old El Paso products
- $0.50 off Old El Paso Stand N Stuff Tortillas
- $0.50 off Progresso Recipe Starters Cooking Sauce
- $0.50 off 2 Betty Crocker boxed Potatoes
- $1.50 off Old El Paso Frozen Entrees
- $1.00 off the purchase of any Jif Hazelnut Spread
- $1.00 off Tai Pei Asian Garden™ Frozen Entree
- $0.75 off any ONE Jimmy Dean Snack Size Sandwich
Beverage
Cleaning
Baking
- $0.75 off TWO Betty Crocker Frosting or Mix
- $0.75 off Pillsbury Gluten Free Refrigerated Dough
- $0.50 off 1 pack Immaculate Baking Co. Biscuits
- $1.00 off one 12oz Ocean Spray Fresh Cranberries
- $1.00 off TWO Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Snacks
- $1.00 off 2 M&M'S, TWIX, SNICKERS FUN SIZED Bags
- $0.50 off Yoplait Go-GURT Protein Yogurt
- $0.75 off TWO any flavor Yoplait products
- $0.40 off SIX CUPS any Yoplait Yogurt
- Buy 1 TWIX FUN SIZE Bars Bag Get 1 TWIX Cookie Bar
- $0.75 off TWO LARABAR UBER bars
- $1.00 off ONE BOX any flavor LARABAR multipack
- $1.00 off one 12oz Ocean Spray Fresh Cranberries
- $1.00 off TWO Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough
- $2.00 off participating soda & 2 bags Mars candy
- $0.50 off TWO BOXES Nature Valley Granola Bars
- $0.50 off ONE BOX Fiber One Protein Chewy Bars
- $1.00 off 5 Totino's Crisp Crust Party Pizza
- Buy any two SNICKERS Bars and get one Free
- $0.50 off ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One Chewy Bars
- $0.50 off TWO BOXES Fruit Flavored Snacks
Baby
- $1.50 off ONE Pampers Cruisers Diapers
- $1.50 off ONE Pampers Baby Dry Diapers
- $1.50 off ONE Pampers Swaddlers Diapers
- $1.00 off ONE Luvs Diapers
- $0.75 off DESITIN Diaper Rash product except 1 oz
- $2.00 off any (1) HUGGIES Overnites Diapers
- $2.00 off any ONE (1) GOODNITES Underwear
- $2.00 off ONE (1) package of GOODNITES Bed Mats
- $2.00 off HUGGIES Little Movers Slip-On Diapers
DVDs & Misc
My hope for labor
Welcome to the October 2013 Carnival of Natural Mothering!
This article is a part of the Carnival of Natural Mothering hosted by GrowingSlower, Every Breath I Take, I Thought I Knew Mama, African Babies Don't Cry, and Adventures of Captain Destructo. This month's topic is Natural Birth Choices. Be sure to check out all of the participants' posts through the links at the bottom of this page.
I'm sure I'm not alone in saying this, but the term natural child birth bugs me when used in reference to not using drugs to ease pain. To me the term that should be used, and the one that I do use, is un-medicated.
The term natural childbirth to me means a vaginal delivery.
Baby isn't here yet (as of the time I'm writing this I am 39 weeks & 6 days), and while I wish she would be here when this post goes live, it's not going to be happening.
I'd love to be able to go into labor on my own, without an induction and I'd love to be able to complete the process and delivery her vaginally without using medicine. I don't like the idea of being stuck in a bed if I choose an epidural. I want to be able to have the freedom to move around and labor in the way that works best for me.
I'd prefer to use alternative pain management techniques such as a tub or hot shower, massage, walking around or using a birthing ball.
From what I've heard, recovery goes a little better when you have an un-medicated vaginal delivery and as a first time mom already unsure what to expect I'd welcome any sort of relief I can get.
So going into the (hopefully) final few days of this pregnancy, my goal is to go into labor on my own and deliver her without intervention. Each day that passes though I get more nervous that scenario is less likely.
As always though the ultimate goal is a healthy baby and if that means my plans change, I'm prepared for that as well. I don't want to wind up disappointed that the birth didn't go the way I hoped.
Bloggers, visit GrowingSlower to sign up to be a part of next month's carnival.
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