Scary Night

I'll skip to the chase and start with the ending: everything turned out ok. Now you can breathe much easier as you read about our eventful evening that we certainly hope does not repeat itself until after at least 37 weeks gestation.

Wednesday was an ordinary enough day. I was busy working, but didn't think I had overdone anything. I drove down for Isabelle's parent/teacher conference and had a very good chat with her teacher. Towards the end of the conference, my belly started tightening and you could see it on my face. She did not yet know we were expecting, and so I told her what was going on. I had felt a few Braxton-Hicks contractions within the past week or so, and didn't think much of it..... at first. I continued to have them however, and it was very frequent. Being that I'm only 14 weeks along, I was starting to worry. Shawn was not able to make the conference and attended by speaker phone. He was picking up Isabelle, and we met about 10 minutes away from the school. By this time, I had been feeling this tightening for about 20 minutes, and they were sometimes closer than a minute apart, but never more than 2 minutes apart. I started to panic, as most pregnant women would at this point, and as I was driving to meet Shawn, my mind raced to worst-case-scenario: That I would need to be transported to the hospital (which is about 20-30 minutes away from Izi's school) by ambulance. I kid you not, there was an ambulance in the parking lot of the park-and-ride where we met. Which of course, only confirmed my worst fears. I had Shawn call his mom for my doctor's number, which was on our fridge. I ended up calling the answering service twice because the on-call doctor did not return my call which is highly unusual for my doctor's office. In the meantime, we drove down to the hospital because by this time, I was still experiencing the contractions at very close intervals and it had now been over an hour. By the time they stopped, they had continued for 2 solid hours. They checked everything over to be sure there wasn't any type of infection and it all came back negative. I already had a regular doctor's appointment scheduled for the next day, which made me feel a whole lot better.

Now for the only comical moment of the evening: The doctor in triage asked about constipation because that can simulate contractions. As that was not an issue, she went on to tell us she was the "Poop Nazi" and didn't think enough people paid attention to colon health. We both about lost it at that moment, and are still making jokes about the "Poop Nazi." The other possibility was dehydration and over-exerting myself. I'm leaning more towards that explanation, but my regular doctor is still going to do a cervical ultrasound to be sure of no other problems.

The following night, I did start to feeling the contractions again, but I had a drink and laid down and let Shawn handle the rest of bedtime. Since then, no tightening so I'm just trying to take it easy and drink plenty of fluids.

Cute New Sayings

Alexandar is increasing his vocabulary daily, adding sometimes 5 and more words a day. Benjamin has several new sounds that are sounding more and more like words.

But yesterday does top all of the "where did that come from?" things Alexandar says. In the afternoon, he started replying to everything he would answer yes to by saying "yessir" and today he has added "no sir." Now, when I lived in Georgia, I would talk like that all the time, but we live in the north and people look at you funny if you say that. I would really love to know where he heard that and what caused him to start saying it, but there is no way a 2 year old can tell you that information. It does not matter to whom he is speaking, but every time he would say yes or no, it now ends with a "sir."

Another adorable thing he was saying the other day concerned cookies. Now, I'm not a big one on letting the kids have a bunch of sweets, but I had some rice krispy treats and let the boys share one. The step stool was out in the kitchen for some reason or another, and Alexandar was standing on it by the counter. Grandma was over as I had been working as was just home for lunch and was out in the living room. Alexandar has a bite or two and starts literally shouting, "I wuv cookies, Gamma. I wuv cookies, Gamma." It was the the cutest thing.

Going Crazy

My ramblings tonight stem from a status message on Facebook, reading something along the lines of "I think I just might go crazy today!" My comment was, "I've been there for a few days now... it's not so bad, just have to learn to enjoy the white padded walls!" (little did you know, Rachel, that you would be the inspiration for my blog!) So as I re-read it tonight, I got to thinking.... (probably a bad idea) how many of us moms think on a regular basis that we might go crazy? I'm guessing the number is right around 100%. But as I smiled at my comment, I began to ponder, would it really be so bad going crazy, and if not, what would make going crazy such a possible option. So, I have begun to compile a list of Pro-Reasons For Going Crazy!

1. Someone would be changing your diapers, for a change!

2. Everything would be white, tidy, and neat.

3. No more millions of loads of laundry each day.

4. When you drilled or spilled your food, you wouldn't be required to wipe it up.

5. No one will blink twice when your voice takes a higher pitch and you start talking "baby talk."

6. You are so used to being around children all day that life will not seem as if it has changed at all... you can even have the same conversations.

7. When you repeat yourself over and over again, people will just smile and nod.

8. You'll be put to bed at a regular bedtime and may even be given a sleeping pill so you don't wake up until morning!

9. Your roommate (pre-crazy state, this would be your spouse) will be just as crazy as you and won't think anything of your off the wall remarks.

and finally....

10. You get to throw a fit and your food on the floor when what is being served is not something you enjoy.

So really, stay-at-home mom's..... would it be so terrible to go crazy? I'm thinking, probably not. =)

On the Job

So I have now been officially working for just over a month now. I am spending a little more time away from home than I imagined, but it's still not too bad. What I really enjoy is on Tuesday afternoons I take the boys to playgroup, but I am getting paid to be there and mileage reimbursment for the 22 mile trip, one way. The boys are getting used to grandma being there and mommy leaving, so that makes it easier to get out the door when I don't have two boys who are whiny because mommy is leaving them. And the bonus is, I really enjoy my job!!! I only am in the office for a few hours each week, I'm driving around to meet with clients, so I don't have to stay in one spot for very long and I really enjoy my clients. They come from a much different background than I do and even teaching in a classroom, I would not come across these parents very often because they wouldn't be the ones at the school all the time. Not saying that in a negative way, but these are the parents that weren't given a chance to become educated and they have to work very hard for what little they have. At first I thought I wouldn't know what to say to be able to help these parents, but just in the few times I met them and just listening, areas for improvement jumped right out at me. Not that I feel that I'm an expert by any stretch, but that I will be able to help them succeed. In just the few weeks that I've been working with clients, I have been very humbled, moved to tears listening to one woman's story, and felt so blessed with what we have. I've always been on the other side where I see how the child comes into the classroom and try to meet their needs there. I am finding it more empowering to be working with those parents because as a teacher, you can try everything you know, but if they don't have the support system at home to back up that child, your efforts can oftentimes be fruitless. By being able to be on the other side, I am still a strong advocate for the child, but can do more to help everyone become successful. It's truly a blessing.

Happy Birthday, Benjamin

I can't believe my baby is 1 today. Officially, at 1:51 this afternoon, he turned the Big One. He entered this world weighing 7 lbs. 15 oz. and we'll have an appointment in a week or so to see what he weighs in now as, but I'm guessing right up near 25 lbs.

We had a doctor's appointment scheduled for the 31st, and considered inducing, but I wasn't entirely convinced I wanted to do that. Around 3 or 4 AM, I woke up a little and some lower abdominal pains, but I rolled over and went back to sleep. Around 5:30 or 6, I got up to take a shower and still felt kinda blah and had some pressure, so I called my mom and after discussing how I was feeling and what was going on, she confirmed that I was in labor and that we needed to get going. We drove an hour down to the hospital while Papa stayed with Alexandar. There was a big snow storm predicted for the day, and it was snowing as we were driving. Contractions continued to get closer and closer as we drove. Once arriving and the nurses had time to examine me, they broke my water and not too much longer, I started to push. The nurse found that Benjamin's head was face up instead of face down and as I pushed, he turned it sideways and refused to budge! I was given the option of waiting it out or going to a c-section. Since there wasn't any trauma at the time and I didn't want for that to happen, I chose the c-section. A few hours later, Benjamin arrived.

Now, we had much discussion on him name, let me tell ya! We still had not yet decided on a name at the point. Once he was born, he just looked like a Benjamin to me and Martin comes from Shawn's grandfather's middle name.

My boy has changed so much! He was walking by around 10 months, he says a few words the cutest being "all done" which he does actually say at appropriate times! It is pretty adorable too when he says "ni-night" when I'm rocking him and tell him to go "ni-night." He is an explorer, a mama's boy, and watches everything big brother does and tries to copy him, quite successfully many times. He also has a sense of humor and thinks it is great fun to take Alexandar's pacifier out of his mouth first thing in the morning, or to scurry down the hall before someone catches him and take it out of brother's mouth while he's napping. Benjamin is my morning child, and would prefer to go to bed around 6:30 or 7 and get up around 7. This is why he considers it so hilarious to take brother's plug in the morning, and Alexandar is simply not a morning child at all. Oh, I absolutely adore my boys.

Benjamin, you are mommy's sweetheart. I know God has amazing things planned for your life and I hope you live your life to the fullest and rise to reach your full potential. I love you.

Battle of the Wills

Have I mentioned my son is extremely strong- willed? This would be Alexandar, of course. Here's the latest in our challenges with our son. On Sunday, we turn on the Christian music on TV (we have digital cable) and have that on as we are getting ready. Well, Alexandar did not want to have that on, he wanted to watch a cartoon. He gave me the " 'mote" and when I said no, we were going to listen to music, he proceeded to throw himself on the floor and holler. Mommy and Daddy decided to give him a time out, where he continued to pitch a fit. He refused to say he was sorry, and screamed instead so the time out escalated to sending him to his crib. After a few minutes in there, I went back in to ask him if he was ready to say sorry, have him milk and breakfast. He reached up him arms, said "Mama, sowwry" and continued on with his day in a compliant and happy mood.

Monday, however, presented more battles.

I have debated the whole eating struggle. When he was starting to eat table food, he ate whatever we were having, no problem. Now he seems to have more of an opinion and is lately, refusing all types of pasta, which had always been a staple with him. However, now I'm not sure if I should just make whatever we are having and if he doesn't want it, he doesn't eat.... or should I have him sit at the table and insist he tries one bite?? I don't mind asking him what he would like and making a healthy choice for lunch. Breakfast always goes well.... I don't mind making him a bagel if sister is having cereal.... no biggie. Anyhow, at lunch on Monday all he would eat were green beans. After two good sized helpings, he wanted more but I figured that was plenty of green veggies for his little system in one day and tried to get him to eat macaroni and cheese. Just one little piece. I think he would like some things he won't try if he'd just taste one bite. I made him sit at the table and he intermittently cried and sat him protesting silence. While he carried on, I was able to put Benjamin to sleep through the fit and then tried to work with Alexandar on just trying one little piece. Well, while sitting on my lap after carrying on for approximately 1 1/2 hours, he fell asleep.

Who won that battle? Hmm, I don't think anyone did. I don't know what I would have done differently, but I figured once I had insisted he take a bite, I shouldn't back down and give in to the fit. I think some more reading on raising a strong-willed child is in order!

Reflections of '08

As I sit here in my kitchen with just the Christmas lights on and a cup of coffee (not for effect, but I'm not ready to be awake, but am anyway) I am wondering where this whole year went. Last year at this time, I was 8 months pregnant and we still hadn't chosen a name for our little boy, Alexandar was just a little over a year old. I know every parent asks "where does the time go?" and its true. I now look at Benjamin and am realizing I still see him as a tiny baby that needs someone to do everything for him. In reality, he is walking everywhere and perfectly capable of getting into just as many things as his brother did at his age. Just yesterday I was putting groceries away and Benjamin is very interested in the food (that boy can be in the back of the house and if I try to sneak a little snack, he has this 6th sense that food is around and comes out to investigate, not kidding!) and pulls open the drawer full of fruit and starts pulling oranges out. Since he's keeping occupied and not screaming to eat, I just let him go. He manages to get 4 or 5 out on the floor and then decides that the trash looks like a great place for this orange balls he has discovered do not taste so great. Yeah, he tried biting into the peel. Next thing I hear is the sound of something hitting the trash bag. Fortunately, I had just put a new bag in and was able to save the orange, but I then decided to close up the fridge before he found something breakable inside to play with.



My point with that story is that Benjamin is quickly leaving the baby stage and plowing fully ahead towards "toddler-hood." He can sleep through the night, he understands no and listens, he quickly learns new toys and how they work, he's starting pushing his trucks and tractors along the floor instead of just in his mouth, and everything that is a bowl or similarly shaped gets put on his head for a hat. I am so blessed that I call this treasure of a child "my son."



I've never been much of one for making a large list of resolutions on the first of every year, mainly because in a few months, they are long forgotten and seemed silly. However, I'd like to try and make a few this year and maybe by posting them, it will remind me to keep up with them.



1. Say "yes" to more things. I like to have household rules and order, but there are times when I could relax them a bit. Not to say that I never say yes, just that I could do it more.



2. Read my Bible more frequently.

3. Do more for others.

I think I'll just stick with 3. It's a good number... not to overwhelming but should be just right.

Happy New Year... May 2009 be one of the best years yet!!