First Outing

After only two days of being at home, Charlotte had to have a check-up with the nurses at the hospital. Standard operating procedure. They weigh the babies to make sure they are gaining weight and check for jaundice. My mom was still in town so that made getting up to Yakima with two kids that much easier. Our goal was to leave the house at 9 am. I think we finally got on the freeway at 10:15 am. Charlotte wasn't quite ready to get on the road without one last feeding so we had to pull over on the side of the road. Luckily, Grace was absolutely content watching Snow White! Thank God for technology!

Regardless, we made it and Charlotte is doing just swell! She had dipped down to 7 lbs. 14 oz. right after birth, but after a few days of doing NOTHING but eating and sleeping, she was back up to 8 lbs and no signs of jaundice! 

Charlotte was a trooper. She made it through not only the doctor's office, but lunch out with the girls (me, Grandma and Grace) and a much-needed trip to Target! Life with two kids...so far, so good! We'll see what happens when Grandma leaves! {GULP}

First Day at Home

Charlotte is a REALLY good baby! She has her days and nights mixed up but that's to be expected. 

IT Happened

Well, I know I owe everyone an update regarding Miss Charlotte. Pictures, recounting my labor and delivery details and relaying how Big Sister Grace is getting along. All in good time people... I am trying to juggle two kids!! Pictures just don't upload themselves and blog posts just don't get written by some magical Harry-Potter-like-wizard-gadget, ya know? It all takes time!! And time is just something that I just don't have a lot of these days.

But something happened today that rocked my world. It'll just take a minute to share and then I'll get right on that post regarding Charlotte.

So here goes:

Fed Ex made a delivery today and IT happened...the FedEx guy asked me...WAIT FOR IT... when I was due!! WHEN WAS I DUE?! I was asked - post-partum - when I was going to give birth!!! I gave birth 4 days ago!!! Obviously, I still look completely pregnant. Lovely. What a blow to the self-esteem.
I didn't know what to say. Do I say I gave birth 4 days ago and make him feel like a total schmuck for asking or do I just laugh it off? Do I start crying right then and there?!?!?
NO!!
I LIE and tell him I'm due next week!
What? Why?! Why did that just come out of my mouth?! He told me good luck and hopped back in his truck...not knowing he'd just rocked my world. Now here I am - balancing two kids on my lap, typing with one hand...trying to suck in my "baby bump". UGH. Let the good times roll!!

Ok...I vented. Onto more important things....Charlotte! Posts and pics soon...I promise!

If You Were Wondering...

I'm still at home. Waiting. Wondering. With every twinge and every kick - I think...contraction? But no. Charlotte seems pretty content. While we all know anything can happen at any minute, I honestly feel like she would stay in there for another month if left to her own devices.

Update

Two days past due now and still nothing. No movement. No contractions. No dilation. We had an appointment with the doctor yesterday to discuss options - to induce or not to induce - that was the question.

It is a tough decision. While it would be nice to have everything happen naturally, there is also something nice about knowing when and where. So after peppering the doctor with questions about safety for baby (and Mom) and mulling it over on the long car ride home, we've decided that if Charlotte does not get things movin' on her own, we will get things going on Saturday, September 25. Stay tuned!

Ready

Well, it looks like Charlotte's due date will come and go without baby Charlotte.. The waiting and not knowing when and where this is all going to happen is starting to grate on my nerves.

While I DON'T KNOW when Charlotte will be ready to debut, there are a few things I DO KNOW about being ready to have a baby. When it is time to have a baby:

1. Your maternity clothes no longer fit. I didn't know that this was possible but it has happened to me...of course. I have not one clothing item that fits. NOT ONE I tell you. It's not like it is uncomfortable enough with clothes that fit. Imagine my angst (and everyone I see in public) to be at least a smidge smaller so I can properly cover myself up.

2. You and your husband are looking forward to the hospital stay with as much giddiness as if it were a two week, all-expense-paid vacation to Tahiti. We are a little sick in the head with harvest, chasing around a 21-month old and awaiting the arrival of a newborn - obviously!

Late Term Elections

Lots going on in the world of politics these days gearing up for the November elections. If you want to take a break from all that hoopla, check out the polls I've set up to the right. Let me know when you think Charlotte will be born and how big you think she will be. Can you tell I'm trying to do ANYTHING these days to stay busy!?

The Countdown Continues

While I am no doubt ready for this pregnancy to end, I think Grace is enjoying her last week as an only child. 

A Nutella snack after gymnastics. 

A haircut

 and a new "do"!

On one hand, each day feels agonizingly long as I continue to heave around this huge body, as I toss and turn all night long, as my mind continues to 'fail' me... but on the other hand, I am so grateful for these days with Grace. To focus all my energy (albeit limited) on her... and Court. They are days that I will cherish for a lifetime.

6 Days

No news to report from my weekly appointment with the doctor...at least none on the dilation front. I did, however, have my cervix stretched.

Did you catch that? My cervix - the body part responsible for keeping the baby inside my uterus - was stretched.

Am I over sharing here? Well, I do it only for those women out there who don't know about this 'procedure' because I sure didn't know about it. I didn't even know what it was until AFTER it happened. Stone-cold-sober AND with no epidural I had my cervix stretched. Now cervix stretching lasts but seconds, but to an unexpected recipient - one ripe and heavy with child - it was up there on the pain charts. I guess the point of having one's cervix stretched is to get things moving in the let's-have-a-baby department. I REALLY thought Charlotte was going to pop out right then and there. But alas she stayed put...and the countdown continues.

Single Digits

Ladies and Gentleman,

The countdown to Baby Charlotte has somehow landed in the single digits. Last night, I started having a small panic attack about how I'm not ready for all of this. I'm too tired to endure labor - let alone sleepless nights and breastfeeding under the close watch of a 'green-eyed monster'....I mean a delightful and polite toddler. (She is saying "peeeese" these days - for EVERYTHING!)

After staring at the ceiling (well the wall - I can't lay on my back because the weight of Charlotte crushes my lungs and interior organs) for 45 minutes, I finally came to the conclusion (wait for it - this is mind- blowingly-original)

Ready or not....here she comes! 

(I told you it was deep! Pregnancy has sapped my brain of all knowledge and original thoughts. Grace pointed to two things yesterday asking for their names - one was a handle thingy in the shower and one was some moss (I think). For the life of me, I couldn't remember the names of either and told her we'd have to wait until Daddy got home to ask him. F+ on the Mommy Scorecard for me!)

Anyway, this is (more than likely) the last week of just the three of us so we've decided to make it all about Grace. Whatever she wants to do, we will do as it might be the last time she gets to do anything for quite sometime. *sigh* Luckily, she still 'wants' to take one nap a day for juuuuust about two hours!! She has excellent taste in choosing activities if I do say so myself!

A Lesson...for Grandparents!

Yes, grandparents have been there, done that - when it comes to raising their own kids. But they haven't been grandparents before. 'Grandparentdom' is unchartered waters for most in the 60+ bracket. Luckily, I came across this article and in honor of Grandparent's Day (which is today!!!) I am sharing it with you. Maybe it can be passed along to help those grandparents in need. And let's be honest, there are some grandparents out there who could use a little - shall we say - guidance? And Lord knows that we - the all-knowing parent - will likely be the worst offenders!

10 Things to Say to Parents - Things You Don't Say But Should

It's easy to criticize them. Our columnist suggests 10 things to say to parents - things you don't say but certainly should to give them the support they deserve.

View >>

Happy Grandparent's Day!

Saving Money is Hard to Do

Almost three years ago, I received this bank as a gift. The directions said that if you were to fill it completely you could save about $500. And what better thing to save for than a new handbag?!

I only saved silver change - quarters, dimes and nickels... for 

three

long

years.

Finally, it was time to crack her open. 

Time to hit the Coin Star!!

I was giddy thinking about what I'm going to do with $500.

Unfortunately, at the time I started saving, I wrote myself a note and slipped it into the bank. 

It said: "By the time this bank is full, I will likely have children and should spend the money on something they need."

Oh being responsible can be SUCH a buzz kill!

The bad news? I didn't save $500. (Maybe if I had saved only quarters??)

The pretty good news? I saved $164. 

No News is Good News

The doctor appointments are now on a weekly basis and as of today, I have no news to report. No contractions. No Braxton Hicks. No dilation. No nada. Not that any of that means anything. Charlotte could still be born tomorrow. But as of today, I am still with baby. Even the gal at the Burger King drive-thru (who should not be making comments to anyone about their figure) stared at me - mouth agape - and asked if I was due REALLY soon. "Yep! Any day now!" I lied. Really?!

T minus 20 days! Then it gets REALLY hairy when people start asking me when I'm due!