Doctor check up and our first 'outing'

Today Teresa had her week check up from her formula change. She is doing great. She actually gained ONE pound in a week. The little porker. She is starting to fill out her clothes finally. Better get her in all her newborn stuff one more time before we move on to the next size. But all in all she's doing great, says the doctor.
I left Mary with mom while we went to the doctor and then went back to get her. We then went tot he park to see some of our Stroller Stride friends. So, this was my first time out with the two of them w/out any one's help. It was a challenge. Luckily Teresa does not move yet, but I had to keep ahold of Mary in the parking lot and such. Then she took her shoes off in the playground and she would not put them back on. I had Teresa in my arms and was not sure what to do. Luckily another mom helped me out. Then we had to go meet Dad at AAA to try to transfer the Minivan over to our name. Oh, I finally got a bigger car. The focus was just not going to work for me. Mom and dad bought a new van and so we bought the old one. Works out much better.
Anyway, so we were off to AAA to meet dad. Dad was not there yet so I had to get the kids out on my own. Mary was good and held my hand in the parking lot. Then we get inside and she wants to touch everything. Well, of course, she will not listen to me say NO!! Oh well, we are learning still. Then dad showed up and could help me. We forgot one piece of paper so we couldn't complete the transfer. SO, tomorrow mom will have to meet me to do it again.
So, all in all it was an interesting first time out. I have to give my cousin a lot of credit dealing with twins and a 5 year old. How do you do it???????

catching up on the past week

Ok, it's been a while since I've written anything. It's been a little nuts here trying to manage a 2 year old and an infant. We're learning what to do, but it's been tiring. Mary is acting up here and there and wants to be held all the time, but she's adjusting better than expected. But the things she is doing is to be expected.

We switched Teresa over to a different formula from the doctor and she's been a lot better. Not fussy and gassy like she was. She sleeps at night and lets me sleep too. Is up about every 3-4 hours to eat. That is fine as long as I get to sleep in those hours too. I get up and feed her and Kevin doesn't even move in bed to notice I'm gone or come back. He will get up when Mary wakes up about 6:30 and get her. That is good because I am usually up at 5:30 with Teresa, so I need to keep sleeping. SO, I will give him credit there.

Christmas was fun. We spent Christmas Eve at our friends, the Hill's, house. It is a tradition. Everyone was ga ga over Teresa, of course. We walked in and all the ladies surrounded her like a fly on poop (ok, not the best expression, but that's what it was like). They didn't even really say hi to Kevin or I, just the baby. HAHA = )

Christmas Day we spent the morning at mom's opening gifts. Mary enjoyed it all this year. It was cute. She didn't really like opening the gifts with clothes in them, but had fun opening it anyway.

I got my double stroller from mom and dad. Kevin and Matt put it together. It was pretty cute to see them working together.

In the afternoon we went to Kevin's sister's house for the Brochtrup family Christmas. It's always nice to see the other part of the family who lives further away. They all enjoyed to see Teresa as well. I didn't get to hold her much that day.

Aunt Margeaux holding Teresa and Cousin Stephanie below holding her.

Now it's back to reality and off to a new year. Not sure if we're doing anything for new years. Now that we have kids, it's a bit tougher. Can't really drink at home and get silly when you have a responsibility to take care of children. Mary will sleep all night, but we kinda have to be sober to take care of Teresa. So, if we find something then we will have to see if mom and dad will watch them. I do kinda need a night of fun and drinking after 9 months of none of it. SO, we shall see. If not, oh well, there are lotsa nights to do that. We don't need a specific day it is supposed to be done. We are going to Vegas in a few weeks for my birthday.

Teresa's first doc apt

Today was Teresa's first doc apt at 5 days old. Miss piggy has gained weight, instead of loosing it like normal infants. She is now 8 pounds even. The doctor said her weight and height and other measurements are all the same and are in the 95%. She's going to be an athlete he says. Well, with her flippers for feet I say she'll be a swimer. hehe
I asked him about her fussiness and gas. He said not to worry. I'm not too worried, except for the fact that I"m not going to see the inside of my eye lids for a while. So, he gave me two cans of a gentle formula to try for a week and see what she does. He said it could also be acid reflex. When you lay her down flat she fuss' a lot. If you put her down asleep in her car seat she will sleep for hours, since it's an up right position. So, if that's how she'll sleep, fine! I know she'll grow out of whatever it is and sleep normal soon, I HOPE!
So, off to try the new formula and hope for the best. Tonight mom is going to come over and stay up with her and give me some rest. THANK GOD! I think I will break in two if I had to do another night right now. Me and the insides of my eye lids will get re acquainted.

She, Teresa Kathleen, Has Arrived!!

Tuesday night, 12-16, I went to bed having semi pains. After having the false alarm on Sunday, I was ignoring them until they felt like real pains. So, they continued after we went to bed. They got stronger and stronger. So, I watched the clock and waited until I knew it was for sure until I woke Kevin up. 2am I thought I should walk around and see if they continued. Well, they went away. So I went back to bed to try and get some sleep. 4am I'm up and it's starting again. I decide to go downstairs so I don't bother Kevin as I toss and turn. The pains are getting stronger and closer together. 6am I decide to go up and wake Kevin up. I tell him this is the real deal and I hop in the shower. I figure this is the last good shower I'm going to get in a while. Nice and hot! I get done and tell Kevin to hurry up. They say the second goes quicker. He says ok, takes a shower and then proceeds to MAKE a breakfast. HELLO, I'm in labor!!! He makes a burrito and we call mom and dad and throw Mary in the car and we're off. This time it's real. I'm in pain. Kevin knows it now.

We get to the hospital about 7:30. I finally get admitted about 7:45 or so. I am having so much fun with the pain. WHERE'S MY EPIDURAL???? They say they have to take blood to make sure my blood count is ok to give it to me. Well, that took FOREVER. I'm bearing through the pains, as everyone watches me. I went in dilated at 3. About 9:30 I'm at 5-51/2. I see the epidural cart roll in. YEAH!!! Still waiting on the doc to give it to me, but the cart is there. There is hope! When she checks my dilation she says my sack is super thin and not to move, sneeze, or cough to break it. Ok, makes me feel good. I know if it breaks I have no chance of the epidural anymore. THEN, I have a contraction and the baby does not like it and kicks, and breaks the bag. OH CRAP!! THEN the doc comes in. Well, I was so persistent to get this darn drug that they gave it to me anyway. I did not do so well trying to stay in position for it, which made it hard for him. So, I don't think it ever got in right. He finally got it in and I rolled over and my body just wanted to push her out. She was on her way. The doc pushed in the drug and then Kevin said he saw her head. Well, the nurse was there, but no doc. She's yelling "DON'T PUSH". Well, I held on as well as I could. Luckily there was another doctor in the hall who heard the nurse and came in. He put on the delivery scrub and I was on my way. I don't know if the drug ever took effect, I just wanted her out. Two pushes later and she was in our world at 10:12. I was in the hospital about 2 1/2 hours before she was here. QUICK! Mary absolutely LOVES her sister. So cute!

What a different experience than Mary's delivery. I had the epidural almost the whole time with her and this one was pretty much a natural birth. It wasn't so bad. It was so super quick. No so bad. = )

My first night in the hospital sucked. I had to share a room. They were packed and there were no private rooms available. This mom was breast feeding. So every two hours there was screaming from the kid who did not want to eat. That was not such a relaxing night. I had sent Mary to the nursery so I could get a good nights rest. OH well. The next day I got a private room for the night. I got a much better nights rest. Thankfully. I was released about 1 on Friday. Friday night was not a good one either. Teresa has been such an Angel, and we brag of course. Well, last night she was up all night. She did not want to be set down. She'd fall asleep in our arms but when we put her down, she'd cry. So, I took from 10-3 and then Kevin came in and took over. Then I came back at 5. She finally gave up at 5:30 and stayed down and I got a little rest. Since then she's been back to a good little baby. So, who knows. A learning experience for all of us.

All in all it's been great. Teresa Kathleen is here and all's good!

No Such Luck

Well, Sunday morning at 1:30am I wake up thinking I"m in labor having contractions. So I lay there watching the clock courting the minutes and timing the pains. I lay there and lay there and then they start to subside. I think, ok I can go back to sleep. Well, that wasn't going to happen. I was now awake and anxious because this is it. So, now it's 4:30 and I'm tossing and turning. I decide to go downstairs and leave Kevin alone. I continue to watch the clock and time things. I think it's back up and running and it's going to be it. 7:00 I call labor and delivery and tell them what's up. The girl tells me to wait until they are 5 min apart for an hour and then come in. Ok, fine. I decide it's time to wake up Kevin and tell him what's up. Then back down to concentrate on the pains.
Mary is up now and so I go take a shower, since it's probably the last good one I"ll get for a couple days. Then I eat a little something. Back to watching the pains and the clock. Ok, I think they are getting there. Kevin is thinking not, but he won't say anything. I"m not in 'pain' as I was with Mary. But, in my head I just want this kid out and so whatever pains I have is going to be it.
11:00 we decide to go to the hospital. Call my parents and have them meet us there to get Mary. Get there and, well, I don't' really have anymore pains. BUT, I'm still going up there and getting this kid out. I get checked in and all hooked up to the monitors. Nothing is really happening. = ( So, they tell me to go walk for an hour. So, I walk the short hallways back and forth for an hour. I walk a blister to bleed on my toe. Now I go back to my room and get hooked back up. Nothing has changed. I tell the nurse, 'I'm here induce me'. She gave me that look like, ya, no. COME ON! She did say the baby is happy. Then she looked at me and said that I didn't look so happy. She was right.
SO, back home we go. I'm a little ticked off with the whole situation and in a bad mood. I know I created that myself. Today I've decided to give up. I am going to do my best to try not to think about it, too much. I'm going to just enjoy my time with Mary while I can.

She Did It This Year!!

This year we finally sat with Santa on our own!!!! We talked about him the whole way to the mall and got her all excited. Then we stood in line waiting for our turn. When it came to our turn she kinda hesitated, but I picked her up and put her on his lap anyway. She kinda looked up at him and was like, ok this isn't too bad. So I walked away and we started to tell her to smile. The girl took the picture and it was perfect the first time! Then we talked to Santa and she told him she wanted a dogie for Christmas. She didn't say anything after that, but she did her thing and we were happy she did it all on her own!!!

This was her standing in line waiting for Santa. She had to bring her bear, Pinto, with her. Hey, whatever works.

38 Week Doc Apt

Went to the doctor today for my 38 week apt. All's well and normal. Starting this week they check for any dilation. I'm 1cm dilated, which really doesn't mean anything. I could stay there for a while. Well, let's hope not too long and I progress soon. I need to just relax and wait it out, but I can't seem to. It's not like I can't thin about it. It's right THERE! Kinda reminded of it EVERY second of the day. I'm doing my best to make it until she decides to come. In the mien time I'll jump on the bed and jog around the house, ok I won't really do that, but it could help.

I"M READY

Ok, today is my original due date, the 11th. I"M READY! LET"S GO!!! I woke up with some energy and I"m ready to go! I've been walking at the mall for about an hour a day this week to try and get her out. I'm off to do it again today and see what happens. Then tonight I'm off to El Presidente for spicy food and a a beer. That is what worked for Mary last time, so I'm willing to try again. Tomorrow is a full moon and so mom and dad say it will happen tomorrow. Mary says Tuesday Wednesday and Linda says the 19th. SO, we shall see. NOW!!!

Having fun with Christmas

This year, due to baby #2 coming, I'm not doing the whole tree and all the Christmas decorations. We decided to just put a few out to make it some what looking like we care. SO, Sunday Kevin went up in the attic and pulled out some simple stuff to put on the Mantle. It looks cute and Mary likes it. We have about 6 dancing toys and she likes to make all those work. She gets to enjoy trees at other people's houses. Next year we'll make a big deal out of it. I just know that I would be the one to have to take it all down while dealing with Mary and a newborn. It was NOT going to happen. So this works out just fine.

Kevin go this stocking last year full of stuff from a client. Mary fits in it just perfectly.

This was Mary shopping today with mom. We found this dress for Christmas. Had to try it on her and then she would not take it off. She we had to put her up to the register to scan the dress. It went great with her black leggings. Then we had to go to Payless to find shoes to match. Well, we found shoes to match, but not the ones in the picture. These were pink princess boots with big pink balls on them. It made for a great outfit. I had to take a picture of it. She was in heaven though. We ended up with some other boots that are brown with Dora on them. She would NOT take those off to pay for them wither. So, once again, up to the register to scan them. THEN she had to continue to wear them. Another great outfit. haha I know we all wore interesting things as kids. It's a part of life. Does not bother me one bit. Let her imagination and creativity flow! It's when she gets to be a teenager that mommy will have a bigger say in things.

Holiday Fun With Good Friends

Last night we had our annual Christmas dinner with my high school friends. It's hard to get all of us together, but when we do it's a great time. Everyone is scattered from Santa Clarita, down in LA, or Riverside. But we all meet up in Pasadena for dinner and whatever else comes about. We took over the table at the restaurant for almost three hours and never stopped talking. Last year we took our picture with Santa in the sleigh, but by the time we got kicked out of the restaurant Santa was gone. So, we took it in front of the tree instead. Looking at the picture now, I see that I am the focus of the picture being the big pregnant woman in the middle. Should have thought that one through before. Oh well, you can't miss me. hehe

week 37 and one day check up

Today was my 37 week and one day check up. I met with a new doctor today and this is the best I've felt after any apt I've had this pregnancy. He was so nice and actually talked to me and answered my questions. What a concept. I asked him about my due date and why and when they change it. He explained that, at first, they go by your last period. Which that would make my due date December 11th. Then when you have your first ultrasound at 10 weeks they read that and make adjustments, it needed. Well mine read that the baby was small and changed my due date by two weeks. If it was only a change by a week they would not have adjusted the date, but it was by two weeks, so they changed the date to the 24th. So, they go by that date for the whole pregnancy. I had him check the ultrasound I had later on and he said it changed it to the 20th, but they are still going by the 24th. So, we shall see.
I'm going on the 11th, which is next week. I think I"m going to be closer to that then the 24th. But what do I know, I'm only the pregnant one. I was right on with Mary, so I think I'm going to be right on with this one. Dad says it's going to be the 12th. That's great, it's next Friday. I can do that. My next doc apt is that day and I hope I don't make it due to being in deliver. Let's all keep our fingers crossed for me and think positive for next Friday. Please, I need all the helpful thoughts I can. I so want to live my life normally again, bend over, sleep, have some wine, the usual stuff.
By the way, we did decide on a name, I think, so hopefully that will give her the incentive to come out to the world. And, no, you don't get to know until she is here. = )

Movie Time

Today mom and I took Mary to see Madagascar. This was our first movie experience with her. She has been before to see a movie with Tracie, but I have not braved it yet. She did great. The movie was at 12:25, which is right about her nap time. So, I was a little scared. We got there and she was all excited. Sat in her own chair with her popcorn mom brought. She gave me a goofy smile for the picture. There were too many previews so by the time the movie came on she was already getting kinda antsy. She had Pinto, her bear, and so then she started to put her head down and want to sleep. So, mom took her and put her in her lap. She watched the movie and was good. Then she saw me and wanted to come sit in my lap. So she sat with me for a bit, then she wanted down. She was getting a little bored, understandable. By then it was almost the end of the movie and they started playing music and she was then a dancing girl. Her and Pinto were rocking out. Then the movie was over and we left. She made it the whole movie w/out needing to go potty, which was good. I figured she'd pass out in the car before we got out of the parking lot, but she didn't. She made it almost all the way home. But she was passed out when I took her out of the car. Layed her down about 2:30 and it's 4:445 now and she's still asleep. Poor thing is wore out. But gives me time to make dinner.

SO, in the end, movies are good with her. There are some other cute ones out and more coming out, so we'll have to take her again. OR grandma will. She was pretty excited to be taking her 'granddaughter' to the movies for the first time. Cute. = )