Wow, I forgot I had this blog. I'd like to bring it back-mainly because #1) I have lots of free time currently, and #2) I've been mulling over lots of stuff in my head in the last year or so that I'd like to get out on paper...computer....you know what I mean.

Since it is only February, I might as well start off with the annual new years survey that I've now been doing for FIVE years (!!) although I missed it last year. I can't believe its been 2 years since I've blogged at all. I love seeing how my answers change and how I am shaped and changed each year. Here goes.

 1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Gave birth-that's a big one!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember making any last year. This year, we resolved to #1) NOT move this year. #2) Give more. #3) Refocus on debt repayment, #4) Get me a job!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Ha...for starters, I did on October 10th. (Wow, never thought I would say that in one of these surveys someday!). Also Melissa Ball (March), Heather Ciras and Kim Amos (also October), and Lauren Capozzi (December).

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year.

5. What countries did you visit?
None!

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A job!

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
For sure October 10, 2011- Carter's birth day! 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Besides giving birth (there is a theme in this year's survey...), graduating from my Master's program, passing my Boards and becoming a CNM/WHNP

9. What was your biggest failure?
I like to use the term learning experiences. :) I guess Jay and I haven't been quite as focused on paying off our debt as we were when we started, although we didn't lose steam altogether. We're back on board now, baby!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got that nasty stomach bug, 2 colds, and mastitis twice. All since Carter's birth...yuck!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iPhone...LOVE it and don't know how I lived without it! Also love my new iMac! I'm an apple girl...
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jay is and will always be my saint.... (same answer from previous years!) Seeing him as a dad has made me fall in love with him all over again.

13. Where did most of your money go?
Grad school and moving. Blah! This better not be the same answer next year!

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Having a baby, graduating, Jay finally getting a job he is excited about

15. What song will always remind you of 2011?
LMFAO-Party rocking in the house tonight....

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier

ii. thinner or fatter? Actually thinner since I was pregnant this time last year! LOL

iii. richer or poorer? Poorer. Darn student loans.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Blogging/reflecting

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Stressing

20. How did you spend Christmas? Here in MA with my mom, Steve and Jimmy.

22. Did you fall in love in 2011? This question is becoming redundant. I wish I'd picked a different survey 5 years ago.  I think I am going to change the question to "How did your relationship with your husband change this year?" And my answer is that having a baby changes a lot-both positively and negatively. Our relationship has grown stronger throughout each move and having a baby has been the most fun bonding experience we've had as a couple!

23. How many one-night stands? See above answer. I am hereby changing this question to read "How has your child changed this year?" And my answer is that he changes so much every day! He has gone from a newborn to a 3 month old almost overnight it seems. Smiling and holding his head up have probably been his biggest accomplishments in 2011. Ha!

24. What was your favorite TV program? Modern Family (last year would have said LOST)

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Again going to change the question to read "How have your friendships shifted this year?" My answer is that moving back to MA has brought a lot of my friendships back into the forefront, which has been SOOO nice. I really missed being able to hang out with friends!

26. What was the best book you read? I didn't read for pleasure as much as I'd have liked this past year. I think I read the hunger games this year or last-but those were really good!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Adele, and Hanson's new CD of course. :)

28. What did you want and get? A baby. Ha! Also my iPhone...

29. What did you want and not get? Being debt free

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Breaking Dawn Part 1...lame, yes. True, yes.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 27 and I believe I was in clinical in Millersburg.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I think I had a pretty satisfying year. I would have liked to give more.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? Scrubs and dress clothes for the office. Lots of maternity clothes!!

34. What kept you sane? Jay, my mom and Kim-the greatest labor support trio in history.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you enjoy the most? Rachel Held Evans

36. What political issue stirred you the most? I try to stay away from politics. Something I should not do.

37. Who did you miss? My mom. Lots.

38. Who was the best new person you met? I've gotten to know a lot of new people this year, mostly through clinical placements.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011: You can't control everything!

40. A song that sums up your year: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!



My answers from two years ago: 1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Lots of clinical skills :)

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
According to last year's survey, I did not make any resolutions last year. So no, I did not keep them.  This year Jay and I hope to continue paying off our debt with "gazelle" intensity!!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Ummm...yes! I feel like everyone I know....as far as MY friends go: Kristen, Jen C, Kim A, Candice and Jenn F gave birth!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year...

5. What countries did you visit?
None!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Calmness, confidence, money :) (I'll stick with my answer from last year)

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 14th-Jim & Taryn's wedding date

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Making it through my first year of grad school

9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting stress get to me

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was pretty sick at one point this fall...but I was pretty healthy overall.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our wii! Its been a fun year!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jay is and will always be my saint.... (same answer from previous years!)

13. Where did most of your money go?
Grad school-but a lot of it has gone toward debt!

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Births!

15. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Anything by Lady Gaga

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? I'd say happier

ii. thinner or fatter? definitely fatter

iii. richer or poorer? its hard to say with student loans....but i'd say i'm LESS poor?

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? praying, relaxing

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? stress

20. How did you spend Christmas? I spent it in MA with Jay's family

22. Did you fall in love in 2009? I fell in love in 2004, but remained in love in 2009!

23. How many one-night stands? Ha....riiiight

24. What was your favorite TV program? GLEE!!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I dont hate anyone...but I would say that my friendships have shifted a lot since last year. (Same answer as previous years!)

26. What was the best book you read? Harry Potter series

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? I don't feel like I really got into music this year....I'm content just listening to good old Fiona! 

28. What did you want and get? A wii, all As, paid off credit card

29. What did you want and not get? a new camera, being debt free

30. What was your favorite film of this year? New Moon or Blindside

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 25 and went to school!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Being debt free! (Do you see a theme? At least I'm passionate?)

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? lots of scrubs. Which is great and comfortable and all, except for the blinding red color.

34. What kept you sane? Jay Govoni, as usual! And my mom.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Ummm...Taylor Lautner...

36. What political issue stirred you the most? Mostly nursing issues due to my policy class

37. Who did you miss? I miss everyone....

38. Who was the best new person you met? New youth group kids probably

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Stress is not worth it! Taking time to relax is.

40. A song that sums up your year: "Under Pressure" by Queen/David Bowie


My answers from three years ago: 
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Moved to Ohio, started grad school

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Apparently I made some last year (soely based on my answer from last year's survey) but I don't remember them! I didn't make any this year. They don't work. You shouldn't wait for the New Year to change your life.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Melanie gave birth to Gabriel....and quite a few of my friends are pregnant (or will be!!) and will deliver in 2009!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year...

5. What countries did you visit?
None, but I visited quite a few states!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Calmness, confidence, money :)

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 5th....the day we gave Trot up.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Starting grad school at OSU for sure. AND making it through my first quarter!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I feel that I am a constant failure in so many areas...my biggest failure I am unsure of!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yeah I was pretty sick one time when I was supposed to see Kate Voegle in concert. I was so sad to miss it.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didnt buy it (it was my birthday present) but my GPS has gotten more use than anything else I own!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jay is and will always be my saint.... (same answer from last year!)

13. Where did most of your money go?
Moving expenses again.... *Sigh*....actually scratch that....grad school!!

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Pregnancies!

15. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Little Miss by the Spin Doctors....not because it came out but because Jay and I constantly sing it with different words. Ha!

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Sadder in some ways....happier in others

ii. thinner or fatter? definitely fatter

iii. richer or poorer? its hard to say with student loans....

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? praying, wedding planning

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? being lazy :)

20. How did you spend Christmas? I spent it in Mt Vernon with my family....then in South Carolina with family

22. Did you fall in love in 2008? I fell in love in 2004, but remained in love in 2008!

23. How many one-night stands? Just a few...no biggie.

4. What was your favorite TV program? I think 2008 was the year of TV....One Tree Hill, LOST, 24, House, Heroes, America's Next Top Model, The Office, Grey's Anatomy

5. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I dont hate anyone...but I would say that my friendships have shifted a lot since last year. (Same answer as last year!)

26. What was the best book you read? Twilight Series!

27. What was your greatest musical (re)discovery? Hmm....I think I would call Hanson a rediscovery. I went to their concert out of pure historical reasons and my love for them was reborn through their new music. :)

28. What did you want and get? A GPS

29. What did you want and not get? no more war, a loving world, a Wii, furniture, all A's

30. What was your favorite film of this year? I seriously don't even know. We don't ever go to the movies! There are a lot I still want to see.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 24 and had a birthday party at my mom's house.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? all As... :)

3. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? lots of scrubs. Which is great, except for the blinding red color. Other than that....what fashion?? I have lots of pretty bridesmaid dresses...does that count?

34. What kept you sane? Jay Govoni!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? "Fancy" always makes me chuckle. Hmm...I guess that one designer on Extreme Home Makeover...I dont even know his name!

36. What political issue stirred you the most? Lots of 'em! I tried to not get involved in debates though, because politics brings out the mean and hateful in people.

37. Who did you miss? I was lucky enough to see just about all of my friends and family at least once this year....I miss them all constantly though.

38. Who was the best new person you met? All of my school friends

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Fake confidence in stressful situations if you can't find it within.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: "Breathe" by Anna Nalick


My answers from four years ago:
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Moved out of Massachusetts for the first time, applied to graduate school

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did make some for this year....so far, I'm not doing a very good job! I didnt make any last year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin Melanie....as usual. And I have a feeling maybe next year I will have more answers! :) (At least pregnant people, not necessarily giving birth)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year...

5. What countries did you visit?
None this year :(

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Money? Haha

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 27...my first day of work....eww.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
MOVING across country, and getting into the university of cincinnati!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmm, I'm sure I failed at many things, but not enough to ruin my year!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not anything serious. Just a few annoying colds!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
An apartment?

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jay is and will always be my saint....

13. Where did most of your money go?
Definitely moving expenses!

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving was pretty exciting. At first! :)

15. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Solider Boy

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Sadder in some ways....happier in others

ii. thinner or fatter? definitely fatter

iii. richer or poorer? poorer...a lot poorer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? saving money, praying

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? spending!

20. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent it in Nashville with my family on my dad's side!!!

22. Did you fall in love in 2007? I fell in love in 2004, but remained in love in 2007!

23. How many one-night stands? I will not even dignify this with an answer. Oops, I already did.

4. What was your favorite TV program? One Tree Hill

5. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I dont hate anyone...but I would say that my friendships have shifted a lot since last year.

26. What was the best book you read? Anything by Don Miller...and I really got into amish books too :)

27. What was your greatest musical (re)discovery? Did I discover Mika this year? If so, HIM!!!

28. What did you want and get? Into school?

29. What did you want and not get? A bedroom set/dining room table

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Ratatouille....love it!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 23 and worked at ENC, and then had a joint party with Jay where we made chicken stack ups and went bowling...but only Jay's friends came. :( (Except Jill!)

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More money...haha see a theme here??

3. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? too much work clothes...i cant wait to wear scrubs every day!!!

34. What kept you sane? Jay Govoni!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Ooh, fancy? Hmm, Wentworth Miller?

36. What political issue stirred you the most? Lots of 'em

37. Who did you miss? Who didn't I miss?? We left all our awesome friends behind :)

38. Who was the best new person you met? I didn't meet these people: but getting to know Jason, Heidi, Laura and Lauren has been great!!!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007: Live below your means

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: Movin out! By Billy Joel! :)


My answers from five years ago:
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
I graduated, got married, lived away from my parents, got a puppy!

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I try not to do them, they are just unrealistic usually!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister Jessica gave birth to Embree

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year!

5. What countries did you visit?
Just the good ol' USA....Hawaii though, not too shabby.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
No debt? :)

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 28th (my wedding), October 24th (Trot's birthday) and December 26 (when we got Trot)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Definitely graduating from college!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmm, I'm sure I failed at many things, but not enough to ruin my year!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not especially

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Trot!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jay is a saint!

13. Where did most of your money go?
The wedding, paying off debt, Trot...

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting married and getting Trot (there seems to be a theme here...)

15. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

16. Compared to this time last year,are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier.

ii. thinner or fatter? probably fatter!

iii. richer or poorer? richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Devotions

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Stressing!

20. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent it in Ohio with my mom and family

22. Did you fall in love in 2006? I fell in love in 2004, but remained in love in 2006!

23. How many one-night stands? Only about 6 or 7...haha just kidding!

4. What was your favorite TV program? 24

5. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I dont hate anyone...but I would say that my friendships have shifted somewhat since last year.

26. What was the best book you read? Velvet Elvis

27. What was your greatest musical (re)discovery? Regina Spektor.

28. What did you want and get? A puppy!

29. What did you want and not get? I didn't really want anything else!

30. What was your favorite film of this year? I seriously have not seen any movies this year...haha!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 22 and I went to Dick's Last Resort with Jen and a bunch of people.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If I read the Bible and prayed more

3. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? CASUAL!

34. What kept you sane? Jay Govoni!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Reese Witherspoon

36. What political issue stirred you the most? I need to get more into politics.

37. Who did you miss? My parents, Kim Hunt, Kim Amos, Emily and Joy

38. Who was the best new person you met? I dont think I met anyone?

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006: Don't stress...its not worth it!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:Wow, nothing comes to mind! Me, musically speechless...this is insane! Too much pressure!

Four Months Old!

Another fun month gone by with Carter. It is amazing how much he changes and grows every day. He smiles all the time and his laugh sounds like grunting! Its pretty funny. He loves to grab at and hold toys and look at books.

He is not yet on a nap schedule, and generally sleeps for 45 min-1 hour between most feedings in between awake/play times. Unfortunately, this month Carter has regressed a bit in his sleeping, waking up multiple times per night. Sometimes we can soothe him to sleep, but sometimes I have to feed him once or twice before we wake up in the morning. I think it is a combination of a growth spurt and possible teething. I know it is early for teeth, but his drooling has increased, he is always chewing on his hands (poor things are all chapped!), he is fussier than usual, plus the waking up at night. Later in the month, we started putting him to bed around 8:30pm which has actually helped him sleep longer and wake up less. It must be true that sleep begets sleep!

Carter went on his first plane ride to Nashville from January 14-18th. The idea of the plane ride was stressful for me, but luckily he did great, except for when I accidentally put him in his carrier incorrectly and he screamed while getting off the plane. Oops!

Carter was sick with a cold/croup cough this month, which is always scary and not fun for anyone. We also recognized that he has torticollis, which means the muscles on one side of his neck are tighter than the other side, making him tilt his head to the left. We've been trying to work on it with him, and will bring it up with the pediatrician at his 4 month visit to see if physical therapy is necessary. On February 1st I noticed a freckle/mole which appeared on his left knee which seemed like it appeared overnight!

On January 11th, Carter rolled to his right side for the first time, but hasn't done it since! He still prefers the left side. On January 13th he rolled to his stomach for the first time but then didn't do it again until February 4th. Now every time he is placed on his back he rolls to his belly! It is funny because he doesn't know how to roll back and since he hates being on his belly, he cries every time he rolls. We roll him back, then he rolls right back to his stomach and cries again. We have to put him up against the left side of the crib at night so he won't roll and wake us up every 5 minutes to be rolled back! He has been holding his head up and tolerating tummy time so much better this month. It will be no time before he is crawling!

Carter got his first haircut on February 1st-by mommy! He had a small patch of longer hair on the right side of his head and the top of his head that looked weird since the hair had fallen out everywhere else, so I just evened it up a bit. :) I think it looks much better!

On February 3rd at 9:19pm, Emma was born. I helped Meghan through her labor from 1:30am until Emma was born, which means I pumped every 3 hours at the hospital while daddy and Grammy watched Carter. They are only 3 days off from being the exact age difference between Meghan and I. I am excited for them to grow up together like Meghan and I did!

32 Things I've Learned So Far...

1. Borrow big items like a swing and bouncer, then buy if your baby likes them! Unless you get them off of your registry, then someone else bought them so you might as well keep it for the next one/sell it if the baby doesn't like it!
2. The BEST sleepers are the "stretchies" from The Children's Place. They're cheap, they're a good weight, and they have ZIPPERS!
3. Invest in some swaddle wraps with the velcro. Much easier than swaddling with blankets.
4. Don't buy any blankets-you will get 1,000 for your baby shower.
5. Don't be too hard on yourself.
6. Sleepers without feet in the winter are used better during the day with socks, unless you want to put socks on the baby when they sleep.
7. Purpose of baby shoes = to keep on baby socks.
8. Breastfeeding is hard, and it really sucks (in more ways than one) for the first month. It does get better. Keep at it.
9. Cloth diapers and wipes are awesome.
10. Purpose of bibs for babies who don't eat solids yet = drool catchers
11. Getting out of the house with a baby is like working out. You dread the thought of it, and it takes you a long time to actually do it, but once you're doing it it feels good and you're glad you did.
12. Don't isolate yourself.
13. You might think you won't need/want a video monitor, but you will. 
14. Keeping a strict schedule of every 2-3 hour feedings during the day (no less than 2 hours, no more than 3) is crucial in helping your baby sleep through the night.
15. Putting the baby to bed sleepy but awake is crucial to help them learn how to fall asleep on their own.
16. Mustela baby lotion/no rinse solution is the best.
17. Best idea for the first month or two: put some blankets in a short laundry basket and use it to carry baby around room to room during the day to get things done
18. Get a TV series on DVD and watch it during the early months when breastfeeding takes forever. Gives you something to do and something to look forward to during feeding times so you don't want to shoot yourself.
19. Don't bring too much crap to the hospital. All you really need is a camera, chapstick, phone with charger, hair elastics, some nursing tanks and comfy pants.
20. Don't feel guilty about any of your choices. You know what's best for you and your baby and whatever choice you make is the right one!
21. Start introducing a bottle and pumping by 4 weeks so your baby won't refuse the bottle.
22. Take lots of photos and videos-you won't regret having too many, you'll regret not having enough.
23. Don't waste money on disposable nursing pads. Get cloth ones, Bamboobies are the best!!
24. Nursing tanks > nursing bras. You can cover up your middle (which trust me, you do not want to show off in public) and they look good and discreet under anything.
25. If your baby hates tummy time on the floor, have them do it on your chest or on a boppy.
26. Put the baby in their crib as soon as they sleep through the night. You will both sleep better. (This is where the video monitor comes in)
27. This is how to group baby clothes (since Carter's brand and some others has nb-3-6-9, etc sizing where most others have 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, etc.). Put 3 month with 0-3, 6 month with 3-6, 9 month with 6-9 and so on.
28. Make your big items gender neutral.  You don't get a baby shower for the second one....
29. Bedtime routines are crucial in helping baby know its bedtime-i.e. nurse, read a book, sing, put in crib with mobile/white noise.
30. White noise is a lifesaver. Download the smartphone app. Now.
31. The boppy is good for propping, tummy time, etc. but sucks for breastfeeding. Get the Brest friend.
32. Accept help from others.

Three Months Old!

This has been a wonderful month filled with lots of excitement and milestones! Carter has been such a good baby, generally only crying when he's hungry or tired. He's been spending a lot more time awake and alert and likes laying on the play mat and sitting in his bouncer where he can bat at and grab toys. He spent his first night in his own crib on Sunday, December 18th. It was a lot harder for me than it was for him! The craziest part is finding him in a completely different direction than the one we put him down in. He shuffles all over the crib somehow! He generally goes to bed around 11pm and wakes up around 7am every day, which is wonderful!! Our bedtime routine consists of me feeding him, then one of us holds him while the other reads a book, then I sing "You are my Sunshine/I love you Carter" to him as I rock him the rocking chair. My mom sang the same songs to me when I was a baby. I put him in his crib sleepy but awake and put on his giraffe white noise machine and crank up the mobile. He usually falls asleep right away!

He smiles all the time which melts our hearts! Often he looks like he's laughing, but no sound comes out! I can't wait to hear his first giggle! Although a few times we went to get him in his crib and he was laying on his side, on December 31st we witnessed him roll to his left side from his back numerous times on the play mat! Since then, he rolls to his left side immediately when we put him down to sleep and sucks his thumb. He is SO CLOSE to rolling all the way over onto his tummy but can't quite get his arm out from underneath him. Also, one of the best milestones of the month was finally being able to ditch the nursing shield! He latches on great now and it only takes him 15 minutes or less to nurse at each session which makes a HUGE difference in my day!

One not so exciting event was when he got the dreaded 2 shots at his 2 month appointment, which actually went a lot better than I expected. He stopped crying pretty much as soon as I picked him up and gave him the pacifier. The Nurse Practitioner said that he was a "fabulous baby" and also that he was the size of a 6 month old (95th percentile for height and 90th for weight). Figures, since he is wearing 6-9 month clothes already!

Nana, Poppie and Jimmy came into town on December 20th and stayed through Christmas until December 30th. This was the first time Carter got to meet his Uncle Jim! Nana and Poppie couldn't believe how much he'd grown since they had seen him last. He had his first Christmas and athough he didn't know what was going on, it was still fun to take pictures of him in all his Christmas outfits!

Carter got 2 colds this month, the latter of which he developed a 101.4 degree temp on January 1st and we had to bring him to the ER for the first time to be evaluated. It was really hard for me because my RN instincts told me that he was okay and just had a cold, making the ER trip pretty unnecessary but my mother instincts to know for SURE he was okay won out. So after giving him a dose of Tylenol, off we went. We were there from 10:30pm-2:30am. It made for a long night for all 3 of us!

Milestones:

Drools
Pulls at/grabs blankets and clothes
Bats at/grabs toys
Clutches own hands together
Brings objects to mouth
Sucks on fingers and thumb often
Rolls from back to left side
Holds head steady most of the time
Tries to sit up, likes to sit up assisted
Likes to stand up assisted for a few seconds
Pushes up on legs when held against chest
Verbalizes discontent without crying
Says "ahh-goo" and gurgles often
Likes being tickled under the chin
Hugs blanket animal toys

Two Months Old!

This past month has been much different than the trying, learning experience that last month was. We finally feel like we are getting into the swing of things and are adjusting much more smoothly to our new role as parents. I've been able to go places with and without Carter on my own, which was too big of a production last month to handle. I took him to Kohl's with me once and while I was trying to strap him in the Ergo carrier in the parking lot, I realized I wasn't able to hook the back together by myself. I asked a lady walking by if she would help me, and she laughed and said "I've been there!"

Nursing is going really well now, I am still using the shield although he has latched a couple of times briefly without it. I am hopeful that I will be able to ditch it at some point in the next few months! He eats every 2-3 hours for 45 mins-1 hr at a time, which feels like it takes up most of my day.

At night, he has been wonderful, consistently sleeping around 6 hours! Usually I will feed him around 10 or 11pm, swaddle him, put on a noise machine, and then I put him down to sleep and without any soothing, rocking or anything he will go right to sleep. He'll usually wake up between 5-7am to eat, and I nurse him in the side-lying position while I doze off. When he's done, he goes right back to sleep again until between 8-10am. We are SO thankful that he is so good at night! It makes such a big difference in the whole day when we are able to get some sleep!

Carter had his one month appointment on Nov 17th, and the Nurse Practitioner we saw said that he was doing great and was in the 90th percentile for both weight and height! We celebrated Thanksgiving at Jay's parents' this month and he did great throughout the day, sleeping and eating and only fussing a little bit.

We are really enjoying when Carter smiles at us, it is the best!! We love watching him experience the world around him and learn new things. He is such a sweet, snuggly boy and we love him so much!

Milestones:

Holds head up while lying on tummy
Turns head toward voices
Smiles in response to faces and voices
Vocalizes, often saying "goo" and "ahh" sounds
Tracks objects with eyes
Sucks thumb when being held against chest
Bats at toys with hands, especially Lamaze giraffe
Puts partial weight on legs when held in standing position
Grasps objects but does not let go

The First Month

This past month has been full of ups and downs and has been the most challenging yet rewarding month of my life. I have really enjoyed getting to know Carter and learning how to provide and care for him. My favorite thing is when he accidentally smiles-it melts my heart and makes all my frustration and sleep deprivation fade away. Doing all the "firsts" has been a blast- like his first bath, his first car ride, first outings, etc.

After Carter was born and we were moved to the postpartum floor, Kim and Jay went home to nap and my mom stayed with me until they came back later in the afternoon, at which point she went home to sleep. Carter got circumcised later in the day and did great. The first night in the hospital was really strange, all of a sudden having a new baby to care for. I hadn't slept at all in over 24 hours due to the night labor and delivery and then the amount of visitors we had during the day. I finally gave in around 4am and let the nurse take Carter to the nursery for a couple of hours while I got some sleep. Even though it was nice to rest for a few hours, I couldn't wait to have him back! We got to leave the hospital early (in the afternoon on Oct 11) because both Carter and I were doing so well.

Breastfeeding has been the most difficult experience during the past few weeks. Immediately after birth, Carter latched on right away and I thought he was going to instantly be a nursing champ. He latched here and there throughout the rest of the hospital stay, and even the day we got home. During the night our first night home, he refused to latch all night long at each feeding. I started to panic since he hadn't eaten in quite a few hours, and I woke up Kim and Jay to help me figure out what to do. I ended up pulling out my pump and using it for the first time and then feeding him the milk I had pumped, which seemed to satisfy him. For the next couple of days, I tried unsuccessfully to latch him at each feeding, and then I pumped and bottle fed. We had an appointment on the 13th and our NP was concerned that he had lost so much weight. It was a horrible, trying couple of days. I was so frustrated and exhausted and dreaded feeding time when he would just scream as I tried to latch him.

On the evening of Friday the 14th, after many tears, I finally decided that I was going to discontinue trying to latch him and exclusively pump and bottle feed him my breast milk. His weight was good on Saturday the 15th, so I knew he was finally getting enough to eat and was encouraged by that. At our next appointment on the 17th, he had gained even more weight and our NP supported my decision to exclusively pump. My mood began to improve and I dreaded feedings less and less. Although it was a lot of work to pump AND bottle feed, it was better than what I had been going through. On Wednesday evening, the 19th, I came down with Mastitis and was very sick until Saturday. Jay was such a huge help during these days, when I couldn't do much more than sit up to pump every few hours.

On Thursday night, my midwife preceptor Shelly stopped by with a shield for me to try. It was the one thing I hadn't tried yet, and I was very hesitant since I didn't want to go through the frustration that I went through before trying to get Carter to latch. I decided that it was worth a try, and tried it that night. Carter latched beautifully and I used the shield for every feeding for the next few days, followed by pumping to ensure my milk supply stayed. Jay and I went to a lactation consultant on Monday the 24th, and she verified that we were using the shield correctly and that Carter was getting enough to eat. I finally was able to stop pumping, which was the most freeing, wonderful feeling in the world! I currently use the shield at every feeding now and while I hope someday he'll latch without it, it is so nice to be able to breastfeed, which is what I had really hoped for in the first place!

It was really hard when Kim and my mom left. They were such a huge help to me and it was so scary to be on my own. After my dad and Val came and left, we were really on our own for the first time. It has been a learning curve but I think we are getting the hang of it!

Carter sleeps most of the day, but when he's not sleeping he is alert and likes to look around a lot. The most common comment from people is about how alert he is. Our favorite thing is the Morrow reflex-when he is sleeping and something startles him, he throws his hands up while staying asleep. Its pretty funny! He doesn't cry a lot, usually only when he is hungry. He loves to suck and likes his pacifier. He was really fussy for a couple of nights and didn't sleep much at all (the 27th and 28th) but since then he generally sleeps about 5-6 hours at night. During the day he eats about every 3 hours.

Stats:

10-11-11, 1 day old: 9 lb 0 oz
10-13-11, 3 days old: 8 lb 7 oz , 21 in
10-15-11, 5 days old:  8 lb 15 oz
10-17-11, 1 week old: 9 lb 1 oz, 21 1/4 in
10-25-11, 2 weeks old: 9 lb 14 oz, 22 in

Milestones:

First baths
Smiles accidentally
Turns head side to side
Lifts head briefly when lying on tummy
Turns toward sounds
Stares at faces
Likes to stare at lights
Sucks on fingers

Birth Story: Read at your own risk!

My stepsister, Kim, came into town on October 1^st and my mom and stepfather, Steve, came into town on October 3^rd. On Tuesday, October 4^th I had an appointment at my midwife’s office where I was 1cm/70%/-1, and she swept my membranes. On Friday, October 7^th  (at 40 weeks, 2 days) I lost my mucus plug!  I was so excited to have at least one sign of impending labor since everyone was in town waiting for it to happen and I was getting impatient. I had been trying everything to get labor going naturally, and was even considering going the castor oil route if I reached 41 weeks and nothing had happened. I had been having Braxton-Hicks tightenings constantly for the last week or so, but nothing remotely painful or regular.

Sunday, October 9^th (at 40 weeks, 4 days) I went to church as usual and then attended a surprise birthday party for my brother-in-law Russ which lasted until 2:30ish. When we got home, I was exhausted so I took a nap until about 5:30. (Thank you, body, for knowing something was about to happen!!) My brother and his girlfriend came over for dinner around 7pm and we all sat down to eat Pad Thai that my stepfather made. It was VERY spicy! Around 7:30pm I had my first real contraction. I looked at my mom across the table with a puzzled face and said “hmm, that kind of hurt”. I wasn’t sure at the time that it was a contraction but it definitely felt like something different. 10 minutes later, I had another one. My brother watched in horror with each regular look of discomfort I got, freaked out and decided to leave. Kim happened to be about 30 minutes away spending the night at her dad’s and I texted her and told her there was a good chance I might actually be in labor but I wasn’t sure yet. She said to keep her updated and she would come back if it was real.

After they started coming every 10 minutes for about 2 hours, I started to suspect that this could actually be something, so around 9:30pm I sent Jay to pick Kim up and bring her back. I found that standing during the contractions felt the best, and each time I had one I leaned over a half wall, put my head on my arms and swayed back and forth. I tried to sit on the exercise ball I had and hands and knees but standing felt the best. I made sure the TV was on (Sisterwives was on…I had to watch!) for a distraction. I eventually decided to take a bath and the contractions continued and started coming every 5 minutes or so, although they felt milder and shorter than they did when they were 10 minutes apart. I called the midwife on call, Mary, just to let her know that there was a chance I might be in later that night or in the morning. She didn’t seem convinced that I was in labor due to the fact that the contractions were getting milder and said to update her if anything changed. Jay and Kim got back around 10pm and I suggested that we go for a walk outside. My mom, Kim and I left the apartment and walked around campus while Jay packed the car according to my very detailed list (surprised? J). Every 3-5 minutes, I had to stop and hold onto my mom and sway during contractions. They were getting more intense and by the time we got back home around 11:30pm I decided that I wanted to call Mary back and hopefully come into the hospital. I was SO unsure about this decision because of the fact that I wanted to stay home as long as possible and felt like I might be calling/going in too early. I was nervous I would be 1-2cm and she would send me home or I would have a long, tortuous labor at the hospital. However, I decided that it was worth it to me to know where I was at and even if I was admitted in early labor, the hospital had options like the tub, shower, peanut ball, heating packs, etc that I could utilize that I didn’t have at home. 

We arrived at the hospital around midnight. The car ride wasn’t as bad as I expected although my contractions continued to be regular and moderately intense. I was still able to talk normally between them but not during them. I was sent to triage and hooked up to the monitor. The nurse turned the monitor off around 10 minutes because it was already reactive, but not before I noticed the contractions were coupling-another suggestion of what I had suspected for the last couple of weeks-an OP baby. During contractions I stood up and swayed like I was doing at home. There was definitely an increase in intensity in the contractions while I was in triage, and I started to have a little bit of bloody show. Mary came in at 1:00am to check/evaluate me and I was 4-5cm/100%/+1! I was so glad that I was officially in labor, and was surprised by the station because I didn’t feel much pressure or that “bowling ball between legs” feeling whatsoever. Just after she checked me, I had an intense pain all of a sudden in my left upper quadrant-it was so weird! It was so sharp that I threw up my entire dinner! After I threw up, the pain went away.

At 1:15 my nurse came in to admit me and take me to my room. Her name was Leah and she was one of my favorite nurses that I had worked with during clinicals. She was fairly new, and was really excited about natural childbirth. I was so glad that she was my nurse!! I was informed that someone else was using the Jacuzzi tub, which I was really disappointed by. It was ironic-barely anyone uses the tub at that hospital and of course I come in the one night a month that someone is using it! Leah and Mary made up for it by getting me a huge labor room though! J

Luckily, a few weeks prior I had seen Mary in the office and we had discussed that I wanted a natural labor, so I didn’t even have to tell her or Leah what I wanted-they just knew. I totally expected to have to fight the mold and advocate for myself while at the hospital but they were so supportive of my wishes without me even expressing them! I was admitted with no IV, intermittent monitoring and no mention of pain meds, etc. After the long, painful process (because I had to be in bed which intensified the contractions) of Leah finished admitting me, getting a FHR strip, vitals, drawing my blood, etc., Mary came in and told me to “get off my ass and get in the shower”. J She was a perfect midwife match for me-she was sassy and bullied me (in a good way) a bit when I felt like I couldn’t go on, which I really needed.

Mary had shut off the lights in the bathroom and set up her specialty-Christmas lights! It was actually nice, relaxing mood lighting. I got in the shower around 2am and sat on the ball. Jay, Kim and my mom took turns spraying the warm water on my belly and back and holding counter pressure on my back during contractions. It was around this time that my back pain became completely unbearable. It was predominant during my entire labor thus far, but sometime in the shower it was so bad that I just could not control myself any longer during contractions. I was REALLY vocal-I felt like one of those women who you hear from down the hall and the other patients ask you if they’re dying or something…ha! It just felt better for some reason the louder I was. My voice was really hoarse the next day!

Once the back pain intensified so much that I couldn’t control myself anymore, I asked if Mary would check me-I just had to know where I was because if I was still 4-5cm I didn’t think I would make it any longer without drugs. I got in the bed at 2:45am on my hands and knees, and when she checked me I was 8-9cm. I was DEFINITELY in transition-the whole world around me faded, I had no idea what was going on around me and the contractions were absolutely unbearable. Mary offered me sterile water papules and I said yes immediately-internally wishing I was in student mode and not a patient because I’d been dying to see them done while in clinical! While I was on my hands and knees, at 3:50am my water broke-a copious amount of clear fluid. Jay says it looked like someone threw a water balloon at my butt. J Mary finally got the sterile water papules (she joked that she could get morphine in 5 minutes but it takes forever to track down sterile water) and inserted them at 3:52am. It is true what they say-they hurt REALLY bad for about 30 seconds when they are being inserted and then the back pain was GONE. It was the most amazing thing ever. I wish I had gotten them much sooner! There is no way I would have even been able to push through that back pain-it was the absolute worst pain I have ever experienced! Mary checked me after inserting them and I was complete. I tried a couple of pushes on my hands and knees but it was completely ineffective-the contractions were just so intense that I couldn’t hold myself up. With every contraction I said “I can’t do this” and of course everyone encouraged me by saying “Yes you can! You are doing it!” I remember saying “I know I CAN but I don’t want to!”

At 4:10am Mary brought in the birthing stool and instructed me to sit on it while holding onto the front of it with my hands and to arch my back and push during contractions. Jay was sitting behind me in a chair supporting my back. My mom and Kim sat on the floor in front of me like they were in the front row at the movies. JPushing was REALLY hard-it was so difficult to push through intense contractions which increased the pain and pressure. I knew that even though each push made the pain worse, it was the only way for it to all be over! They didn’t direct me in pushing at all (except to hold my breath and not groan each time which I didn’t really listen to…haha)-when I felt contractions I pushed right through them until the contraction was over and between them I kind of grunt pushed to keep him down. After about 20 minutes, the head was crowning and Mary told me to reach down and catch my baby. I grasped onto my johnny and said “No! I can’t do it! You do it!” And she said “No, you’re doing it!” (Again, good bullying.) So I reached down and slowly guided his head out. It was such instant relief to have his head out! He came out ROA, so he must have eventually turned from OP (thank goodness!). When his head was out, I felt his left hand right up by his face and he grabbed my finger! I thought to myself that it figured I had an OP baby AND a compound presentation! It’s a wonder I didn’t have a c-section. I gave another push and pushed his shoulders and body out. I grabbed him under the armpits and pulled him up on my chest and said “It’s a boy!!” My mom was so shocked because she was SO sure it was a girl-she said “are you sure??” He was born at 4:40am weighing 9lb 7oz and measuring 23 in long!

I can’t even describe the relief I felt when he was out!! It felt so good to be done with the intense pain. Mary did delayed cord clamping, and it was awesome because my sister (who is in med school to be an OB) had never seen delayed cord clamping done. Finally I told Mary that I was uncomfortable sitting on the stool and wanted to get into bed. My mom cut the cord because Jay didn’t want to. The placenta came easily with one push and it was pretty huge! The nurse asked Mary “Do you want IM pit?” and Mary looked at me and said “What do you think?” I asked her what my EBL was and she said “not much at all” so I said “I’ll skip it then!” It was nice to finally be able to think clearly again…I headed over to postpartum around 7am., and the rest is history! So glad he’s here. Although the birth was intense and the worst pain EVER, I am so glad that it was exactly what I wanted. No regrets!