Our little Fiona is here!

Our little Fiona has made her arrival at last.  You probably assumed so since in my last post I was 38 weeks pregnant.  She came about 10 days early on April 26, my water breaking while out to dinner of all places!  A strange experience since it never broke with Jack.  Luckily I was able to make it to the car with Jack while Johnny grabbed dinner "to go" and we were on our way home to get ready for the hospital.  The doctor said that I should head in within the hour just because we didn't know how fast things would progress once I started having contractions.  Well, thankfully we did what we were told because I started having contractions almost immediately and things progressed REALLY fast.  Once at the hospital we were moved right into a delivery room and started prepping for delivery.  Just like Jack I was 6cm dilated when they first checked and I barely had the epidural in me 30 minutes before it was time to push.  All in all I was in labor for pretty much exactly 3 hours when our little girl was born after just 3 pushes!!  I couldn't believe how fast she came.....after all of the waiting and wondering when this moment would happen.  Once again it was one of the most magical, intense, and emotional experience of my life.  There is NOTHING more special than child birth, and to share that with my husband makes it all that more special.

At just 6lbs 6oz. 19.5 inches long, little Fiona was SUPER tiny and I seriously felt like I was going to break her the first time I changed her tiny diaper!  She was so much smaller at birth than Jack (and I thought he was small!!).  

This time around I developed a super intense headache as a result of the epidural.  I guess it's fairly common and the only way to treat it is to have what's called a blood patch done....basically another epidural without the drugs and your blood instead.  They take a small amount of your own blood out of your arm and put it in your back to clot the leak that was created from the original epidural.  The thing is,  I get sinus headaches fairly (mostly when the pressure in the air changes) often and so I just thought this was a really bad sinus headache.  The air in the hospital is SO dry and I couldn't tell the difference other than the fact that constant alternating of large doses of Motrin and Tylenol were NOT helping one bit!!  I felt like I just kept pumping my body full of drugs for absolutely no reason.  So after going home and 4 days of being in excruciating pain, I called my doctor who said she's 90% sure my headache was from the epidural and I should go to the ER and get it taken care of.  This headache was so intense when sitting or standing up that it hurt to open my eyes.  Once laying down it felt a million times better.  So imagine having to hold & nurse a baby, change diapers, and take care of a high energy 21 month old all at the same time, all while my head was throbbing so much I couldn't believe I was even able to function!!!  That's why I gave in and called the doctor.  So after spending an entire day waiting around in the ER they finally did the blood patch and my headache went away pretty much immediately.  I couldn't believe it and I felt like myself again.  Now I could go home and finally enjoy being a new mom again.

So far Fiona is a really great baby and literally just sleeps all day and has never gotten up more than twice during the night to feed.  And even then she goes right back to sleep.  I just remember Jack crying a lot more, she only fusses when hungry and cries in the car seat which she doesn't seem to like very much.  She LOVES her bath, hasn't gotten upset or cried at all during bath time yet.  She's super good and I hope things stay that way :)  She is starting to stay awake a little bit more during the day and for longer periods of time than when she was first born.  She really likes the 4moms MamaRoo swing which I'm pretty happy about.

                                                       Mother's Day with my babes!

Jack is embracing being a big brother with everything he has, he LOVES his little sister so much.  We let Jack come and visit me at the hospital on the day that I was going home, that way he could just go home with us and not have to leave me again.  I really was not prepared for how much I would miss him.  I really had no idea until I saw him that day at the hospital and I just burst into tears.  I missed that little guy so much and really just wanted this whole experience to go well with him accepting his new sister.  Luckily I didn't have to worry too much because he did and is still doing really well.  When it was time to leave the hospital he got down on the ground and got the car seat all ready then looked up at my mom (who was holding the baby) and reached up for her as if my mom was going to hand her to him so that he could put her in the car seat to go home.  It was SO cute and I was so proud of him.  Still to this day he is obsessed with giving her kisses and hugs and looks for her first thing in the morning.  Yesterday when he woke up from his nap he came to the top of the stairs and was all upset with his arms out saying baby? baby? baby? because he didn't know where she was.  I told him she was downstairs and as soon as we got to the bottom of the stairs he ran right over and said "hi" and gave her a big kiss.  He seriously melts my heart over and over again all day long! 

  He fell asleep next to her and they stayed that way holding hands, one of the sweetest pictures I have of them :)

38 Weeks & Easter 2014

Finally at 38 weeks, I swear these last few drag on and on and you feel like there is no end in sight!  At this point we are pretty much playing the waiting game.  Nothing more i can do other than enjoy these last couple weeks with the family we are before it changes forever.  That and drive myself crazy thinking every day could be "it" therefore making sure every bit of laundry is done, every dish is cleaned, crumbs vacuumed, etc....  I just keep thinking that if nothing else I will have a clean house to come home from the hospital to.  That and I've come to the realization that I now and for a VERY long time will live in a world of crumbs!  Seriously they are everywhere.  Cleaning crumbs at my house is a full time job!  Doesn't matter how many times a day I sweep/swifter/vacuum, there are always more as soon as I turn around.  2 dogs and a toddler will do that I guess! 

Easter 2014 was really nice this year. We went to my parent's house where my mother went all out and had games, prizes, easter baskets for us kids (yep that would be me) and lots of good food. The weather was gorgeous and Jack took his first ride around the yard on the riding lawn mower.  More pics to come from Easter, I still need to upload from my camera.  

36 & 37 weeks combined

 37 weeks yesterday, hospital bag is packed despite a few necessities that I'm still using, and besides just praying that this baby plans her arrival around good timing for the business....I think we are ready to go!  Oh and if she could just hold off until at least Thursday so I can make my hair appointment that would be great :) Maybe next week would actually be better seeing as this weekend is Easter and I'd really like to spend it with the fam and have fun watching Jack go through his Easter basket.  

Today I had my final sonogram and it was a 3D one, which I never had with Jack for whatever reason.  The whole experience was weird and I almost wish I never had it done.  Her positioning was not good so they couldn't get a very good picture.  To make matters worse mshe had a ton if stuff blocking her face which made for a very scary looking pic of my baby girl's face.  The placenta was super close to her mouth and touching her lips so that ruined any chance of seeing her mouth and tiny lips.  The cord was lying right across her face, on her eyes to be exact so all we really saw was her nose!! I'm really hoping her little nose was being squished by all of the crap that was surrounding her because it looked HUGE!  My first thought was oh crap she got her fathers nose HAHA.  I'm sure she will be just as adorable and perfect as Jack, but seriously, for being my first 3D sonogram experience it really could have gone a lot better.  I found the whole thing to be a bit creepy!  

Good news is we seem to have a very healthy baby on our hands, she is weighing in at about 6.8lbs and everything looks great.  At this point I think they start to gain about a half of a pound a week so she's right on target as to where she should be. 

         Eating ribs like a champ!

36 weeks last week and a daily nap seemed to be a common occurrence.  I'm doing better this week so far and not running as low on energy as I was last week.  For some reason 36 weeks just sort of hit me like a ton of bricks.  I seemed super tired, I had absolutely NO patience for anything, super irritable, and really felt my weight that week.  Maybe it's because I started back to work 3 days a week which completely exhausts me these days.  We have an employee out on jury duty which is why I said earlier that this baby had better plan her arrival on a day that I have full coverage and don't need either Johnny or myself to be there.  Thankfully my mom has been super helpful in watching Jack, her spring break couldn't have fallen at a better time that's for sure.  Just one more example of how everything always seems to fall into place when you really need it to!  

          A little frozen yogurt for dessert

So Easter is just days away and I'm super excited for Jack to get his basket and just see how much fun he has with everything this year.  I've had so much fun picking things up here and there to put in his basket.  Not a ton of candy, in fact I only got him a little thing of malted eggs and the rest being books, bubbles, play dough, bunny ears I found in the Target $1 section.....things like that.  He's REALLY into bubbles lately and would literally play with them all day long if I let him.  Over the weekend we had 77 degree weather both days and it was glorious!!  We played outside as much as we could seeing as how today it was 36 and snowed all day!!!!  Mother Nature could you possibly mess with my sinuses  any more??!!  Anyway, there were definitely a few tantrums thrown when trying to pry the bubble machine out of his hands on more than one occasion.  I had to change the batteries in it twice in one day!  Hoping for some more of that glorious weather soon, it felt SO good to grill out and sleep with the windows open at night!  The only thing missing, and I definitely missed it....was a nice cold beer!  Can't wait to be able to enjoy that again :)

 

This Week's TOP 5:

1. Getting to see our little girl one last time despite it being a little strange and creepy, I was happy to hear she's healthy and can't wait to meet her.  

2. At my 36 week doctors appointment I was told that I'm ready and good to go, the doctor said it wouldn't surprise her if I went this week but it also wouldn't be a surprise if I didn't deliver for another 3 weeks!  I took this as good news, I really think she's going to come a little early.  

3.  Happy to have my hospital bag packed and ready to go, I've been putting it off and finally just made myself today.

4.  Our new nightstands came in today and just in time! They are more of a chest with lots of drawers so I can keep all baby stuff that I may need close by (like my breast pump) hidden and out of sight. Jack thinks they are great and I keep finding little presents in my drawers, like socks from the baskets of laundry I've yet to fold and toys.  

5.  As always, looking forward to meeting our little girl, and enjoying whatever amount of time I have left with it just being the three of is. 

35 Weeks and counting

More than half way through week 35 and I'm just now getting around to posting about it.  Our little girl is somewhere around the size of a honeydew melon, about 5.25lbs and could be 18 or more inches long by now.  I went to the doctor yesterday and was happy to hear I'm right on track with how I was with Jack at 35 weeks.  I'm 2cm dilated just like I was with him, but not expecting anything to really change as far as that goes for the next 3 weeks or so.  At this point my doctor is predicting another 39 week baby, but we shall see!  So needless to say this got me very excited and a little anxious.  Now I'm, even more so than I already was, thinking about what needs to happen before "this" actually happens. 

       First ice cream treat of the season 

I've been super focused on the business lately, trying to get us ready for Spring.  We always pick us as soon as the weather gets nice, and then Summer is even busier.  May 1st we can put the tables outside which will definitely bring people out of the office for lunch.  Besides making sure we have enough staff on board, we are revamping a bit, our website got a fresh new look......we are now mobile!....about time.  I just want to do as much as I can right now so that I can focus on the baby and life at home as much as needed in a few weeks. 

There is definitely something going around, so many people I know are getting sick lately.  We had colds last week, thankfully mine only lasted a few days.  Then Johnny caught a stomach bug which was pretty awful, and just as he seemed to be getting to the tail end of it, Jack then got it.  I escaped (THANK GOD!), I really can't imagine being out of commission at this point and being depleted of any more energy than I already am.

This Week's TOP 5:

1. Hearing that I'm already starting to dilate at this week's appointment.  This is definitely number one for sure!
2. Not getting sick - another high point of the week
3. Hearing that baby is head down and at this point that will most likely not change
4. Getting our new website finished, HUGE relief and one more thing to check off of my "to-do" list.
5. Ordered Jack's Easter basket today.  Yep, I broke down and bought the one I'd been looking at from Pottery Barn Kids.  It's adorable and I can't wait to fill it with Easter goodies!  Not to mention I was able to get free shipping and 20% off....SCORE!!

34 Weeks

Yes, I've skipped a week and am once again combining 2 into one post.  I can honestly say that I am finally feeling a sense of relief and am much more relaxed than I have been in weeks!  The nursery is DONE,  all clothes and bedding are washed and put away, all other major projects that were happening in the house are finished, and I can now really start to focus on other important aspects of my life like my business and ramping up for a busy summer!  I've got to revamp our website, add to the menu, do some more decorating with color in the dining room, and as always - try and stay ahead of the game :)  Not to mention I want to enjoy these last few weeks I have left as a family of three and squeeze in as much Jack and Mommy time as I can.  It still kills me to think that he will never actually remember all of the time we spend together, just hanging out and having fun all day just the two of us.  I guess as long as I do that's all that matters, probably another reason why I take so many pictures, I know one day we will look back at them together.  Anyway, other than that I'm feeling pretty great for being so pregnant.  I'm not nearly as tired as I thought I'd be, my energy level is still pretty high, and I'm not crashing in the afternoon as much as I used to. 

So for now the cookie baking marathon has come to an end, at least in mass quantities....THANK GOD!  Great for business but not for my poor thumbs!  I swear my right thumb was numb for two days post decorating.  I guess it could be worse right?!!!!  Definitely looking forward to the next show, the theater already has us on board to bake for the show Peter Pan in July!  Can't wait, especially since there wasn't a single cookie left over from this one, they SOLD OUT!!! 

In baby news, I actually go to the doctor tomorrow morning but apparently she is about the size of a cantaloup and around 17 or 18 inches long!  It's really hard to believe that I have a little over a month to go before I meet this little bugger that is constantly doing gymnastics in my belly.  It will be interesting to see how Jack reacts to her, he is well aware that there is a baby in my belly (not sure he actually understands what that means), he's always wanting to touch it and give it hugs and kisses and says "baby" constantly.  I think he will be very confused but love his little sister none the less. 

    Suddenly loving (to jump in) the crib again knowing he doesn't have to sleep in it!

This week's TOP 5:

1. Very happy to be done with the nursery and ready to fill it with an actual baby!  Just have to get some stuff like newborn diapers and lotions/baby wash....things like that.
2. We took jack to his first show, Shrek the musical and he LOVED it.  We only made it through the first half but he wouldn't take his eyes off of the stage.  After intermission all he wanted to do was run around and dance in the isles so we left so he wouldn't bother anyone else watching the show.  I was so proud of him though, he did great! 
   
        Watching the performance while   wearing his Shrek ears and eating popcorn
   

   
   
3. Super excited to have packed the high chair away until the next kid needs it!  Jack is now in a booster seat at the table with us.  It got to the point where he hated the high chair and only wanted to stand up and get out of it.  I'm happy to say the booster seat is working out WAY better and he is actually OK with us buckling him in it.
4. Going to schedule my 3D sonogram tomorrow, I never had one with Jack and am excited to get a glimpse of this baby in 3D.  I've seen others and it's amazing how accurate they can be!
5. We are all a little under the weather this week in our house, it seems there is a cold going around and for the first time we've all gotten it!  So looking forward to everyone being healthy again so we can enjoy this 60 degree weather we are supposed to get in a few days!!     
   
                  Play date 
   

        Learned how to use the drinking fountain all by himself
   

   

   
   

   
   

32 weeks and 600 cookies!

I'm a few days late on this week's post but it's been a super busy week here with the business. I never even took a bump pic.  We are mainly a soup/salad/sandwich cafe and we serve a variety of beverages and home made desserts.  I rarely get large (I mean super large) orders for baked goods.  We are located right next door to a theater that does musicals/plays/movies...etc... and this weekend and next they are doing Shrek the musical.  With that said they decided to collaborate with us and asked us if we would make Gingy cookies (a gingerbread man character from Shrek) for them to sell during all performances.  Their first order was 600 decorated gingerbread men for this weekend!  This is A LOT of cookies for a small mom and pop place like us, but I happily took on the challenge.  So needless to say I've been a baking machine all week with little time to do anything else.  Yesterday we delivered all of the cookies and crossed our fingers that people would like them.  I was pretty impressed and super proud of the outcome, they are really cute!  Hopefully they sell out and they order more for next weekend :)

I had a routine doctor's visit yesterday, everything was fine.  Baby is measuring right at 32 weeks as she should be.  Nothing new really in baby world this week.  My hormones are flying high, as I just flipped out on my husband for being gone all morning, coming home, and turning around to leave and go help our neighbor build a bar in his basement.  All while knowing that I have a bunch of running around to do and I was really looking forward to doing it alone and not having to lug a kid around with me.  I guess even if I weren't pregnant I'd still get pretty annoyed (I have been known to have quite a temper) however the fact that I am pregnant takes things to another level.  I get so fired up so much quicker these days.  Anyway, so I grabbed all of my crap, put Jack in the car only for him to fall asleep 60 seconds later.  So I turned around and came back home, put him to bed and am now taking this time to blog about my frustrations  HA HA!! 

I started going through baby clothes that have been given to me.  I have a TON.....both my sister-n-law and my neighbor gave me a butt load of baby girl clothes that are in great shape, they've just been in bags and boxes and I really had no idea what was actually in there.  So I sorted through everything and started washing everything.  I have to say we're pretty set and it feels good not to have to really worry about that.  So super thankful to both of you girls!!

This Week's TOP 5:

1. The nursery is finally coming together and is no longer being used as a storage room 
2. Baking gingerbread men - I can honestly say I never want to eat another gingerbread cookie for a very long time, and I'm pretty sure I may have carpal tunnel in my thumbs from all of the decorating :)
3. The weather - we had 50 degrees one day then got dumped on with 12-18 inches of snow, then had almost 60 degree weather the next day!!!  My sinuses are all over the place which means a lot of headaches for this girl!
4. Scripts Cafe made the Buffalo News again!  It was overall a great article and I'm very thankful to get the exposure.  Also thankful for such a great staff who help us to keep doing what we do best!
   
5. We finally started to talk baby names!  I think we may have it narrowed down but we're not telling because I don't think we will know for sure until we see her for ourselves :)