Long time since I've posted. It's not nearly as fast to type one-handed, that's certainly part of it! Can't claim to be too tired...Andra logged 9 hours straight last night, and we managed to put her down at 10 (usually it's more like 11 or 11:30). I usually wake her up between 7-7:30 every morning, though I am hoping I can gradually transition her back an hour...asleep by 9-10 every night, up at 6, since I only have 4 more weeks of leave and I am stressing out about how I will manage to get out the door by 7 every morning. I'm glad my mom will be staying with us for a few weeks for that reason, I won't have to worry about getting things (bottles, clothes, etc.) ready for Fred to take with her to daycare. Although when she does go to daycare, I will say that I absolutely love the woman who runs the home daycare she will go to. Plus, she just had her first baby 2 weeks before Andra was born, and so she gets the whole new-mom thing.
As for workouts...I am trying to get more intense. I'd say I've managed well to get back into a routine, working out at least 5 days a week now. The gym daycare is great, and I try to go when it's less busy. I took Andra out for an hour-long walk in the Baby Bjorn Monday when it finally hit 40 (or thereabouts), and she did great. My friend Bea (formerly my trainer when I had extra $$) and I have worked out together twice this week - Tuesday we did am arm workout and today we ran and did some back stuff. She will kick my butt on weights, making fun of me if I take "baby weights" (the girl has seriously huge muscles) and I don't like to be made fun of, so I work harder than otherwise. I pushed her to run more than she would have today (we did intervals, though in total only 3.5 miles, I'm still not loving the treadmill again), so it was a nice exchange. I've decided I need to focus more on weights and less on running if I want to lose the weight I've gained since Andra's birth. I assume once I stop breastfeeding it will come off, but it's annoying that I was 146 when I got pregnant, 145 a week or so after delivery, and 153 now. But weights are more important than running, since my only running goals for a while involve distances 10k or shorter. So I do want to start longer runs outside on Sundays (or sooner if I get the BOB attachment and it warms up) but other than than, 2 focused running days a week and 4 lifting days (with maybe 2 miles of running after as bonus if I have time) will be my goal. I'll never get all 7 days in, but I will plan 7 and just take a day off when I need it.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Savvy marketing
So it's been almost 6 weeks. It's still a little up in the air when I'm going to go back to school, but I think I can stretch it to March 2. I negotiated a little bit with our HR guy to give me a couple extra paid days in exchange for me grading my students' midterm exam...which is a pain in the ass, takes hours and hours (not a typical test, it's a series of labs and problems the kids work on for 2+ weeks beforehand), and which my non-certified sub can't officially grade. Since the HR guy denied my personal day last April to run the Nashville marathon, I now play by the rules, and I told my assistant principal and department chair that I would gladly grade it for a couple extra paid days, but that truthfully I couldn't care less what happens to it or the kids' grades if he denied it. Not when we're only allowed to use 6 weeks of sick leave, despite the fact that I have over 100 days I haven't used in the 8 years I've been there. Turns out the AP convinced him to give me 2 extra paid days, which is probably worth it (that's like 2 weeks of day care).
At any rate, I have to figure out what I'm going to do about breastfeeding when I go back. Surprisingly, I sort of like it. It's very peaceful, and easy, and convenient. I guess ideally I'd still breastfeed in the mornings, late afternoons and evenings. I just don't want to worry about pumping, so I'm happy to have her have formula during the day when I'm not there. But I also don't want to deal with leaky boobs during the school day. So I'm thinking I should start to transition a little now, get on some sort of schedule...right now, I pretty much feed her whenever she's hungry, which can be random - every hour for a while, then after a 4 hour nap, or maybe there's no nap that day, so... She takes bottles or either breastmilk or formula no problem, but it's just so much easier when I'm with her to just pull out the boob. I figure if I start by replacing one feeding a day with formula, like around 11 or 12, that's a start? Anyone have any ideas or advice? Is this something I should talk to a lactation counselor about? I never had any problems so I've never used one before...
At any rate, in the mail today I got 2 free cans of Enfamil, along with a variety of coupons. I guess they know 6 weeks is standard maternity leave, and about the time a lot of women give up breastfeeding or at least start supplementing. As much as I know it's marketing, it does make it easier to do it when they send me the formula for free...
Ack, it really is stressful thinking about going back to work. Luckily, there'll only be 3 and a half months til summer...
At any rate, I have to figure out what I'm going to do about breastfeeding when I go back. Surprisingly, I sort of like it. It's very peaceful, and easy, and convenient. I guess ideally I'd still breastfeed in the mornings, late afternoons and evenings. I just don't want to worry about pumping, so I'm happy to have her have formula during the day when I'm not there. But I also don't want to deal with leaky boobs during the school day. So I'm thinking I should start to transition a little now, get on some sort of schedule...right now, I pretty much feed her whenever she's hungry, which can be random - every hour for a while, then after a 4 hour nap, or maybe there's no nap that day, so... She takes bottles or either breastmilk or formula no problem, but it's just so much easier when I'm with her to just pull out the boob. I figure if I start by replacing one feeding a day with formula, like around 11 or 12, that's a start? Anyone have any ideas or advice? Is this something I should talk to a lactation counselor about? I never had any problems so I've never used one before...
At any rate, in the mail today I got 2 free cans of Enfamil, along with a variety of coupons. I guess they know 6 weeks is standard maternity leave, and about the time a lot of women give up breastfeeding or at least start supplementing. As much as I know it's marketing, it does make it easier to do it when they send me the formula for free...
Ack, it really is stressful thinking about going back to work. Luckily, there'll only be 3 and a half months til summer...
Gym day care
Made it to boot camp Saturday morning, but had to take Sunday off as we had 2 sets of company (my brother, sister-in-law and niece came for lunch, then the inlaws for dinner) and in between, I had to tutor for a couple hours (midterms this week...great for the stay-at-home-a-little-longer fund). Monday morning Andra woke me up around 5:30 (plus she was up once in the middle of the night...I think I'm letting her sleep too much in the evening, not that I really have any success keeping her awake when I try). I was actually glad I was forced to get up early, because that meant by 7am I was dressed for the gym, Andra was fed, and I was able to put her in the bouncy seat next to the bed and run away before she fussed, thus making me feel guilty for not warning Fred I would be gone. I got in a good 3.25 mile run. Can a tempo run be as short as 2.5 miles? I was trying to run hard, which for now was about an 8 minute mile...I think I varied the pace a bit, but the bulk was right around 8:06, and half an hour is about all I have time for these days if I want to fit in any lifting. I managed just 2 exercises for my back (including the dreaded pull-ups) and 2 for biceps, but I lifted heavy and am sore today.
Today Andra also woke up early, but I opted to nap with her on the couch from 7-9am instead of hitting the gym early. I knew Fred wouldn't make it home in time for me to go to the core class I love, so this was the day I figured out day care at the gym. I made a noon reservation because they told me there were no other kids signed up and it was usually a quiet time. Andra fell asleep in the car, and even though there were plenty of kids (maybe 5) when we got there, she slept the whole time. I did an easier 3, I had wanted to do 4 but psyched myself out. Technically I could leave Andra there for an hour and a half, but an hour sounded like long enough (even though I felt comfortable leaving her there, I still worry about her crying), and I wanted to shower too. So I just did 3, plus abs. Obama was making a speech as I ran, and even though I never watch TV while I run, I did today. Watched...but didn't listen. I needed my music! Plus I figure they'll replay everything a million times tonight.
Today Andra also woke up early, but I opted to nap with her on the couch from 7-9am instead of hitting the gym early. I knew Fred wouldn't make it home in time for me to go to the core class I love, so this was the day I figured out day care at the gym. I made a noon reservation because they told me there were no other kids signed up and it was usually a quiet time. Andra fell asleep in the car, and even though there were plenty of kids (maybe 5) when we got there, she slept the whole time. I did an easier 3, I had wanted to do 4 but psyched myself out. Technically I could leave Andra there for an hour and a half, but an hour sounded like long enough (even though I felt comfortable leaving her there, I still worry about her crying), and I wanted to shower too. So I just did 3, plus abs. Obama was making a speech as I ran, and even though I never watch TV while I run, I did today. Watched...but didn't listen. I needed my music! Plus I figure they'll replay everything a million times tonight.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Photo shoot
Melissa came by to take pictures today. Over 500, I think she said! Here are some of my favorites (of the 15 she put on Facebook...can't wait to see the rest!). In the one below, Andra is holding the medal from the Country Music Marathon we ran when I was 6 weeks pregnant. I think she probably won her age group...
Monday, January 12, 2009
AM workout
I managed to get to the gym in the morning today. After waking Andra up from her 8 hour "nap" (which followed a feeding frenzy last night where I gave her 5 oz of formula after a non-stop breastfeeding session that seemed to last forever, by the end of which I'd had enough) at 6:45, feeding and getting her ready, I handed her off to Fred about 10 minutes after my self-imposed 7:30 "deadline." (How I'll ever do that when I have to be at school by 7:15 I don't know.)
At any rate, I had a great short tempo run (half mile warm up, then 4 half miles at 8:12, 8:08, 8:00 and 7:53, then a half mile cool down). I worked...total time just 26 minutes or so, total distance just 3 miles, but it was enough. I also had time for some quick weights (back and biceps) but was dismayed at how awful my assisted pull-ups were. I used to be able to get through at least one set of 8 with the weight set at 60lbs...today my first set was 4 at 70, then 4 at 80 when I couldn't finish at 70. Second set I started at 90. Sad. I have work to do.
I'm gearing up to get serious about my eating next Monday. Maybe it's no coincidence, but I feel like I'm having feeding frenzies just like Andra. I seriously love food. Especially peanut butter (eaten by the spoonful, with chocolate chips...it got so bad that I didn't let myself even buy any more peanut butter this week, I think I have to ban it from the house the way I once banned ice cream and cookies). I might have been back at my pre-pregnancy weight (146) a week or so after delivery, but it hardly matters, as I've put back on 5 or so pounds since. (My only attempt at veiling myself from that truth is that it's really hard nowadays to weigh myself at a consistent time of day, so my "study" isn't exactly controlled...and the high school science teacher in me does not like that.) They've been fairly guilt-free pounds, what with the holidays and all, but this can't continue much longer. So this week I'm getting my goals in order, getting a plan in place, and preparing for a good solid month or two of clean eating and consistent, goal-oriented working out.
At any rate, I had a great short tempo run (half mile warm up, then 4 half miles at 8:12, 8:08, 8:00 and 7:53, then a half mile cool down). I worked...total time just 26 minutes or so, total distance just 3 miles, but it was enough. I also had time for some quick weights (back and biceps) but was dismayed at how awful my assisted pull-ups were. I used to be able to get through at least one set of 8 with the weight set at 60lbs...today my first set was 4 at 70, then 4 at 80 when I couldn't finish at 70. Second set I started at 90. Sad. I have work to do.
I'm gearing up to get serious about my eating next Monday. Maybe it's no coincidence, but I feel like I'm having feeding frenzies just like Andra. I seriously love food. Especially peanut butter (eaten by the spoonful, with chocolate chips...it got so bad that I didn't let myself even buy any more peanut butter this week, I think I have to ban it from the house the way I once banned ice cream and cookies). I might have been back at my pre-pregnancy weight (146) a week or so after delivery, but it hardly matters, as I've put back on 5 or so pounds since. (My only attempt at veiling myself from that truth is that it's really hard nowadays to weigh myself at a consistent time of day, so my "study" isn't exactly controlled...and the high school science teacher in me does not like that.) They've been fairly guilt-free pounds, what with the holidays and all, but this can't continue much longer. So this week I'm getting my goals in order, getting a plan in place, and preparing for a good solid month or two of clean eating and consistent, goal-oriented working out.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Month 1
Wow. Four weeks ago today (and at about this time), my water broke and Andra started to get here. Crazy. I'm sure I'll think the same thing in a year, in 18 years...time flies, and having a kid makes me so much more aware of that. The little pickle is growing (we go to the ped next week to get weighed, etc.), she seems twice as big as a month ago, probably just because she uncurled, but she's definitely longer and heavier too. She used to fit perfectly in just one arm. Her newborn clothes used to be too big, and now she's threatening to outgrown them. Sigh...and unfortunately, every day is one day closer to having to go back to work. It won't be before mid-Feb...hopefully I can keep up my tutoring to make enough extra cash to push it back to the first of March.
In workout news, things are going. Sunday was a day off, as we went to meet Andra's great-grandparents (Fred's grandparents). Monday I took her out for a walk (about 2.75 miles) in the Baby Bjorn, as it wasn't too cold. Tuesday, she went to her first babysitter, my friend who lives right next to the gym, and I went to the core class. Weds was off, then yesterday Fred made it home before I fell asleep (at 6pm) and I got to the gym to run. I did 3 miles (all I really want to do on a treadmill for now...though I'm itching to get out and do a longer run soon outside), mixing up the pace (3 separate half-miles at an 8:30, 8 and 7:30 pace, followed by recoveries around 9:30) and averaging just under a 9:00 pace. I'm sore today in my quads (also because we did 8 million squats and lunges Tuesday), which feels good! Off again today, as it's too cold to take Andra out and Fred went away for the weekend skiing (I've vowed to take my own weekend trip with friends this summer and leave him home with Andra...we'll see!). So I may not really be able to work out this weekend, although if I didn't feel kind of guilty I'd ask another friend to watch her Saturday morning so I can go to boot camp. (Guilt about asking the friend, not about leaving Andra for an hour...though there's a bit of that too.) I can't wait til she's 6 weeks so I can take her to the day care at the Y (wait, didn't I spend the first part of this post saying I DON'T want her to grow up??).
So we're flying solo this weekend...so far she's been such an easy baby, this better not be the weekend she decides to stay up all night! She slept 7 hours last night (10-5, then again til 8 after I fed her), so I know I'm super lucky.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
The little pickle...
I managed to get to the gym a few times this week. Tuesday, Friday and today. Could be better, could be worse. I ran 3 miles straight yesterday, changing the pace up because I got bored (and of course wanted to run fast, not slow) and averaging about a 9:20 pace. Did lots of abs today at boot camp...I want my doughiness gone! I wonder how long it'll take for the skin to shrink back up?
I'm hoping to get outside just for a couple walks this week, with the kid in the Baby Bjorn since I don't yet have the car seat attachment for the BOB. My husband will be working later this week to catch up from his time off, and Andra has to be 6 weeks to go to day care at the gym, so my options are limited (unless I get it done early, which I really have no excuse not to...I could go at 7 am and be back in plenty of time for Fred to get to work).
I haven't made any resolutions yet. I will, I like to, but the New Year kind of crept up on me. So, by February 1 I will figure them out! But one will involve getting more involved in the running community...tomorrow I plan to volunteer at a 10k, the first in a 5-race Boston Build-up series I ran last year preparing for Nashville. It's a great series, and it plus a bunch of other local races are put on seemingly by one very dedicated guy (who never actually gets to race himself). So volunteering seems like the right thing to do, especially since I am not up for a 10k (or the successive 15-30ks that follow) right now!
Can't help but post a few more pictures of our little pickle (affectionately nicknamed by my Aunt Mary, who then found her a pickle for her first Christmas ornament):
The little pickle.
I love her round belly!
I'm hoping to get outside just for a couple walks this week, with the kid in the Baby Bjorn since I don't yet have the car seat attachment for the BOB. My husband will be working later this week to catch up from his time off, and Andra has to be 6 weeks to go to day care at the gym, so my options are limited (unless I get it done early, which I really have no excuse not to...I could go at 7 am and be back in plenty of time for Fred to get to work).
I haven't made any resolutions yet. I will, I like to, but the New Year kind of crept up on me. So, by February 1 I will figure them out! But one will involve getting more involved in the running community...tomorrow I plan to volunteer at a 10k, the first in a 5-race Boston Build-up series I ran last year preparing for Nashville. It's a great series, and it plus a bunch of other local races are put on seemingly by one very dedicated guy (who never actually gets to race himself). So volunteering seems like the right thing to do, especially since I am not up for a 10k (or the successive 15-30ks that follow) right now!
Can't help but post a few more pictures of our little pickle (affectionately nicknamed by my Aunt Mary, who then found her a pickle for her first Christmas ornament):
The little pickle.
I love her round belly!
Monday, December 29, 2008
2 1/2 weeks already??
Wow. That was a fast and busy Christmas. My parents and aunt were here from Michigan, and my brother, sister-in-law and 15-month old niece from Paris/NYC (they're moving back to the states this month). It was a very full house. I tried to take advantage of the plethora of babysitters to get out to the gym (Tuesday night, Saturday morning boot camp (yay! I missed that class so much), and a run outside (2.5 miles or so) yesterday. I definitely had moments when I wanted everyone to go so I could hold my daughter, take a nap with her, just hang out. I was basically just a feeding and diaper changing machine. But I have her back now, and as a reward she slept (after a marathon feeding session where she literally sucked me dry (eww) and we gave her formula) 8 hours last night. I woke up a few times thinking I should get her up to change her diaper at least (we're using cloth and they do feel a lot wetter than disposables) but resisted.
So boot camp Saturday was great. None of my usual "competition" was there (lots of new people who hopefully won't last) so maybe I didn't push as hard, but I was able to do everything and did NOT feel out of shape. The abs were a little tougher, but I still did just about all of them! And of course I'm sore, but not horribly so. I felt good enough to run outside yesterday (60 degrees, although dreary). Just a 3 mile loop (maybe a bit under). I felt a little awkward, like my gait was off, but except for tight Achilles (normal, I have weird heel bones and the tendon rubs) the run was great. I ran 20 minutes (probably about 2.25 miles) and walked the last half mile.
The challenge this week will be to get in workouts without all the babysitters. And without being able to use the Bob...I don't have the infant car seat adapter, and if I did, it's probably too cold anyway.
Can't believe Andra is already 2 1/2 weeks old. Looking back, the first few days were scary! She was so tiny. She's back up above her birth weight now, much more alert, and we've kind of figured each other out now. It's pretty fun...
So boot camp Saturday was great. None of my usual "competition" was there (lots of new people who hopefully won't last) so maybe I didn't push as hard, but I was able to do everything and did NOT feel out of shape. The abs were a little tougher, but I still did just about all of them! And of course I'm sore, but not horribly so. I felt good enough to run outside yesterday (60 degrees, although dreary). Just a 3 mile loop (maybe a bit under). I felt a little awkward, like my gait was off, but except for tight Achilles (normal, I have weird heel bones and the tendon rubs) the run was great. I ran 20 minutes (probably about 2.25 miles) and walked the last half mile.
The challenge this week will be to get in workouts without all the babysitters. And without being able to use the Bob...I don't have the infant car seat adapter, and if I did, it's probably too cold anyway.
Can't believe Andra is already 2 1/2 weeks old. Looking back, the first few days were scary! She was so tiny. She's back up above her birth weight now, much more alert, and we've kind of figured each other out now. It's pretty fun...
Sunday, December 21, 2008
New Blog to Read
Alison Setton's blog will probably interest some of you who read this one...especially you triathletes.
Andra meets Santa
I really think I am the luckiest mom EVER. Easy pregnancy, fast delivery, cutest little baby who just sleeps and eats and occasionally charms us with her open eyes (did I mention she's sleepy?). She slept through the night two nights ago, the other nights she's only up once to be fed and changed. She was fussier in the beginning, but I think we're figuring each other out, and now she usually goes right back to sleep.
We went to meet Santa yesterday, and then to Ann Taylor Loft where I got 4 pairs of nice pants (nicer than my usual uniform of jeans and khakis) for $9.88 each! Santa was awesome...so good with the scared little boys ahead of us, and when he saw Andra he said, "This is why I do this job." She snoozed through it all. I love showing her off. So many people asked if there was really a baby in my sling (she's 7 pounds, she's not THAT tiny!) and then oohed and aahed when I let them peek.
Thursday we had to go back to the pediatrician to check her weight (up from Tuesday so we're all good now), then I went to Trader Joe's and there ran into one of our assistant principals. He reminded me that the high school faculty party was just down the road, so we went! The principal accused me of having "rented" the baby, as he never believed I was 9 months pregnant and was surprised to see us up and about so soon. Yeah, it feeds my ego...but we ARE pretty laid back and just having fun. (Except I do still get up in the middle of the night to make sure Andra's still breathing...does that go away??)
I went to the gym yesterday, just to walk a mile (14 minutes) and lift, upper body and some abs. I'm sore today and it feels SO GOOD! No running yet, but soon. I don't want to push it, since I'm already back at me pre-pregnancy weight and would rather start out strong than go out too fast and need to re-stop. But just being at the gym, even walking, I was having a blast and couldn't stop smiling. This is the best Christmas ever.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The first few days...
The first few days home have been fun. A little tiring of course. But Monday morning I put Andra in my hotsling and emptied the dishwasher and did a load of laundry while she snoozed. I won't lie, even just that tired me out!
We're figuring out the sleeping thing. Andra is a champion sleeper right now, which I really hope doesn't change! I might be lucky, as my mom said I slept so much as a baby she was convinced something was wrong with me (I followed a brother who never slept) and called the doctor a couple times. The first two nights (and the two in the hospital) were rough, because I had her in her Moses basket right next to me (first in bed, then on the couch) and every noise woke me up (if I was ever asleep, which I question). I ended up the first night having her sleep on her back on my chest, the second night was about half that and half in her basket. I get to go to bed a littler earlier (10 maybe) for some real sleep while Fred hangs out with her until she needs to eat again, or until after she eats (we're supplementing with formula at night, at the pediatrician yesterday she was still losing weight and my milk might just be coming in now, so the ped said to do it, which made me feel good...I was never against it, but breastfeeding isn't so bad after all and I started to question everything!). Last night she was super fussy even after the formula, so I got up around 12:30 to switch with him so he could sleep. Eventually, after a few cycles of putting her in her basket and letting her cry for 5 minutes (to the dot, I tried not to pick her up too early, the doctor said 5 minutes and I took her literally!), I had the brilliant idea of putting her basket in the bathroom with the fan on. Worked perfectly the second time! So I found a room fan, put it in her room, turned it on near her crib, and then put her in the basket in the crib. And I slept in my own bed 2 doors down. The fan (and distance) drowned out the little coos and stuff, but had she cried I would've heard it all. As it was, she didn't wake up once til I got her up around 7! I hope this is the new routine...because I actually slept (minus 2 trips to check on her when I woke up). An added bonus was that my cat got to sleep with me again (always our routine) and spent the rest of the night on my pillow purring. So we're all happy today!
Ok, I'm also going to post pictures of my post-baby belly. I gotta say, I'm amazed it went away so quickly. Don't get me wrong, it's doughy, my belly button is still really stretched out, and I'm not sure I have ab muscles any more, but we'll work on that in a week or so.
Oh, and one more thing...we took Andra to a holiday party last night. I stuck her in the sling where she was well-protected (but I could open it up to give people a peek) and slept for the whole 2 and a half hours (we stayed longer than we should have, I was tired by the end!). And second best to showing her off was hearing people say how good I looked for having given birth 4 days prior! It fed my ego just a bit, which is nice after a few months of looking pregnant! (And it REALLY helped that I read on Michelle's blog a few hours before we left that Moana had also been out to some parties, made me feel like I wasn't too crazy for bringing Andra out so early...although, no one even tried to touch her, I LOVE the sling!).
We're figuring out the sleeping thing. Andra is a champion sleeper right now, which I really hope doesn't change! I might be lucky, as my mom said I slept so much as a baby she was convinced something was wrong with me (I followed a brother who never slept) and called the doctor a couple times. The first two nights (and the two in the hospital) were rough, because I had her in her Moses basket right next to me (first in bed, then on the couch) and every noise woke me up (if I was ever asleep, which I question). I ended up the first night having her sleep on her back on my chest, the second night was about half that and half in her basket. I get to go to bed a littler earlier (10 maybe) for some real sleep while Fred hangs out with her until she needs to eat again, or until after she eats (we're supplementing with formula at night, at the pediatrician yesterday she was still losing weight and my milk might just be coming in now, so the ped said to do it, which made me feel good...I was never against it, but breastfeeding isn't so bad after all and I started to question everything!). Last night she was super fussy even after the formula, so I got up around 12:30 to switch with him so he could sleep. Eventually, after a few cycles of putting her in her basket and letting her cry for 5 minutes (to the dot, I tried not to pick her up too early, the doctor said 5 minutes and I took her literally!), I had the brilliant idea of putting her basket in the bathroom with the fan on. Worked perfectly the second time! So I found a room fan, put it in her room, turned it on near her crib, and then put her in the basket in the crib. And I slept in my own bed 2 doors down. The fan (and distance) drowned out the little coos and stuff, but had she cried I would've heard it all. As it was, she didn't wake up once til I got her up around 7! I hope this is the new routine...because I actually slept (minus 2 trips to check on her when I woke up). An added bonus was that my cat got to sleep with me again (always our routine) and spent the rest of the night on my pillow purring. So we're all happy today!
Ok, I'm also going to post pictures of my post-baby belly. I gotta say, I'm amazed it went away so quickly. Don't get me wrong, it's doughy, my belly button is still really stretched out, and I'm not sure I have ab muscles any more, but we'll work on that in a week or so.
Oh, and one more thing...we took Andra to a holiday party last night. I stuck her in the sling where she was well-protected (but I could open it up to give people a peek) and slept for the whole 2 and a half hours (we stayed longer than we should have, I was tired by the end!). And second best to showing her off was hearing people say how good I looked for having given birth 4 days prior! It fed my ego just a bit, which is nice after a few months of looking pregnant! (And it REALLY helped that I read on Michelle's blog a few hours before we left that Moana had also been out to some parties, made me feel like I wasn't too crazy for bringing Andra out so early...although, no one even tried to touch her, I LOVE the sling!).
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Details...
First, let me just say that Andra has been asleep on my chest for 2 hours and I just love it. She's wiggly and makes some funny noises (so far in lieu of real crying) and has tons of dark hair.
So at school Friday I decided that whatever happened, it was going to be my last day. In retrospect I felt differently, but can't pinpoint anything specific. I left school around 2:30, stopped at the post office and the grocery store...my cat Pokey needed food, and I needed a donut and ice cream (the fact that I bought and then ate both was a clue to me at that point!). Got home and relaxed for a bit, then got up to play with Pokey around 4:30. I was on my knees, and when I got up I felt a small gush. Now, I never understood how someone could mistake pee for water breaking. But I do now! I couldn't decide...I went and peed, stood up, kept dripping...no big gush or anything. So I walked around the house a little, and when I bent over I felt it again. Called Fred...he was on his way for a post-work drink with a colleague, I said think you better nix that idea! Called my mom, who reminded me that I really DO know if I'm peeing or not, and if I wasn't peeing then my water broke. So I called the doctor, who said to come in. I questioned the "right now?" part because I wasn't having contractions, except for a little one right before my water broke. Right now, he said. OK. So I drove myself to the hospital after getting a few more things in my bag (chapstick, water bottle, laptop). Very calm, still no contractions. Leave my stuff in the car when I go in, figuring no hurry, it's about 5:20. My doctor was there, checked and my cervix was still about 3cm. He said he was going to go home and be back. I did wonder what happened to his idea that I'd have a quick labor, but I didn't ask until the next day, when he said he thought he was safe for a little bit since I wasn't even in labor at that point. At any rate, he was back within an hour!
By 6 I was having contractions 7 minutes apart, then 6, then 5...it sped up very quickly. I felt nauseous, though never puked. Was shaking. Could not have believed the pain. I did try to consciously relax the rest of my body...face, arms, legs. And took really deep breaths. And pictured a particular hill I once rode up while trying in vain to keep up with 3 people infinitely faster than I was, feeling like I was going to die but forcing myself over the hill. (Strangely enough, that time I climbed that hill I KNEW that was going to be a focal point for me during labor.) I sort of wanted to get up, move, sit on the big ball...for some reason it was discouraged and I guess I didn't really care too much. In reptrospect, I guess I was already in transition (the horribly painful part...I think I just skipped right over early labor to that), which explains the nausea. I doubt I would even have been able to get up at that point, so no big deal. I do remember my doctor asking my husband, "Have you ever seen her like this? I think this is the first time I've seen her NOT smiling." Men.
At some point I did ask for the epidural. Maybe 10 minutes later the anaesthesioloist came in, my doctor was back, and I was ready to push. So, no epidural. They all said the worst was over. I'm not sure I would agree, pushing hurt! I pushed for maybe 15 minutes. 3 pushes in a row, probably 5 times. For the 2 contractions before actively pushing, it was the weirdest thing...you know how when you're gong to puke, your body involuntarily convulses as you heave? It was exactly like that, except going the other direction! I guess actually I didn't feel like pushing...I was weirded out by that convulsion sensation. But then the doctors and nurse told me to push, so I did. I know I was whimpering at the end of every push, and a few whispered "FUCK!"s came out. I had some tearing, 2nd degree I think but not so bad 24 hours later. I am dreading the first poo...but peeing has been painless. Surprisingly, nothing is sore (not abs, legs, no muscles at all) except...where you'd expect. But since I was shaking uncontrollably throughout most of the labor and pushing, and for a good few hours afterwards, I know my body was working HARD. I will say, I would NEVER want to do that without being in good shape.
This morning I noticed I have a lot of little spots around my eyes, from the pushing, broken blood vessels I assume. They put her on me when she came out, and it was very surreal! She looks like my husband (has his nose!) but has my hair and toes. Haven't really done the full body inspection yet, she's been sleeping pretty much nonstop. Nursed a little bit, but she had and still has a lot of fluids in her stomach so they told me she won't be hungry for a while. She spit up a bunch of liquid/mucous around 2am, so I called the nurse and then they took her for the rest of the night (til about 6) so they could keep suctioning her. I still didn't manage to sleep though.
She's about 24 hours old now, and MUCH more active...and loud! The first 24 hours were a blissful tease...we napped together a lot and just hung out.
So at school Friday I decided that whatever happened, it was going to be my last day. In retrospect I felt differently, but can't pinpoint anything specific. I left school around 2:30, stopped at the post office and the grocery store...my cat Pokey needed food, and I needed a donut and ice cream (the fact that I bought and then ate both was a clue to me at that point!). Got home and relaxed for a bit, then got up to play with Pokey around 4:30. I was on my knees, and when I got up I felt a small gush. Now, I never understood how someone could mistake pee for water breaking. But I do now! I couldn't decide...I went and peed, stood up, kept dripping...no big gush or anything. So I walked around the house a little, and when I bent over I felt it again. Called Fred...he was on his way for a post-work drink with a colleague, I said think you better nix that idea! Called my mom, who reminded me that I really DO know if I'm peeing or not, and if I wasn't peeing then my water broke. So I called the doctor, who said to come in. I questioned the "right now?" part because I wasn't having contractions, except for a little one right before my water broke. Right now, he said. OK. So I drove myself to the hospital after getting a few more things in my bag (chapstick, water bottle, laptop). Very calm, still no contractions. Leave my stuff in the car when I go in, figuring no hurry, it's about 5:20. My doctor was there, checked and my cervix was still about 3cm. He said he was going to go home and be back. I did wonder what happened to his idea that I'd have a quick labor, but I didn't ask until the next day, when he said he thought he was safe for a little bit since I wasn't even in labor at that point. At any rate, he was back within an hour!
By 6 I was having contractions 7 minutes apart, then 6, then 5...it sped up very quickly. I felt nauseous, though never puked. Was shaking. Could not have believed the pain. I did try to consciously relax the rest of my body...face, arms, legs. And took really deep breaths. And pictured a particular hill I once rode up while trying in vain to keep up with 3 people infinitely faster than I was, feeling like I was going to die but forcing myself over the hill. (Strangely enough, that time I climbed that hill I KNEW that was going to be a focal point for me during labor.) I sort of wanted to get up, move, sit on the big ball...for some reason it was discouraged and I guess I didn't really care too much. In reptrospect, I guess I was already in transition (the horribly painful part...I think I just skipped right over early labor to that), which explains the nausea. I doubt I would even have been able to get up at that point, so no big deal. I do remember my doctor asking my husband, "Have you ever seen her like this? I think this is the first time I've seen her NOT smiling." Men.
At some point I did ask for the epidural. Maybe 10 minutes later the anaesthesioloist came in, my doctor was back, and I was ready to push. So, no epidural. They all said the worst was over. I'm not sure I would agree, pushing hurt! I pushed for maybe 15 minutes. 3 pushes in a row, probably 5 times. For the 2 contractions before actively pushing, it was the weirdest thing...you know how when you're gong to puke, your body involuntarily convulses as you heave? It was exactly like that, except going the other direction! I guess actually I didn't feel like pushing...I was weirded out by that convulsion sensation. But then the doctors and nurse told me to push, so I did. I know I was whimpering at the end of every push, and a few whispered "FUCK!"s came out. I had some tearing, 2nd degree I think but not so bad 24 hours later. I am dreading the first poo...but peeing has been painless. Surprisingly, nothing is sore (not abs, legs, no muscles at all) except...where you'd expect. But since I was shaking uncontrollably throughout most of the labor and pushing, and for a good few hours afterwards, I know my body was working HARD. I will say, I would NEVER want to do that without being in good shape.
This morning I noticed I have a lot of little spots around my eyes, from the pushing, broken blood vessels I assume. They put her on me when she came out, and it was very surreal! She looks like my husband (has his nose!) but has my hair and toes. Haven't really done the full body inspection yet, she's been sleeping pretty much nonstop. Nursed a little bit, but she had and still has a lot of fluids in her stomach so they told me she won't be hungry for a while. She spit up a bunch of liquid/mucous around 2am, so I called the nurse and then they took her for the rest of the night (til about 6) so they could keep suctioning her. I still didn't manage to sleep though.
She's about 24 hours old now, and MUCH more active...and loud! The first 24 hours were a blissful tease...we napped together a lot and just hung out.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Andra Kate
Details later, explicit gory details...but my water broke at 4:30 (took a while to actually believe it, it really does seem like you pee your pants!), got to hospital by 5:15, contractions started around 5:45, by 6:10 they were 7 minutes apart and by about 7 (when they came to give me the epidural I realized I REALLY wanted!) I was 10cm and ready to push. So we did it natural. OH. MY. GOD. Thank god it was quick. She's 7 lbs 4 oz, cute as a button. Pictures tomorrow!
yay for webcams and wireless! saturday am.
yay for webcams and wireless! saturday am.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Doctor Upped the Ante
He did strip my membranes (at my request), said I was now 3cm dilated, and said baby by Sunday. Of course, he's been wrong before...
But they have a sub for me at school (someone I suggested way back in September), and she has a science background, knows the school culture, and will get the job done, even if the kids find her to be a bit more of a hard-ass than I am. Hey, it's good for them.
Took what I hope to be the last pregnancy pictures this morning. I am psyched to have a flat stomach again, BUT I also thought I looked pretty cute, and surprisingly I will miss the belly a little...
But they have a sub for me at school (someone I suggested way back in September), and she has a science background, knows the school culture, and will get the job done, even if the kids find her to be a bit more of a hard-ass than I am. Hey, it's good for them.
Took what I hope to be the last pregnancy pictures this morning. I am psyched to have a flat stomach again, BUT I also thought I looked pretty cute, and surprisingly I will miss the belly a little...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Almost counts??
OK, so this morning I read the comment Michelle left on my last post about ALMOST going to the gym. "Almost counts," she said. I immediately took that (jokingly) as, "Well, almost going ALMOST counts, but DOESN'T, sucker!" Later today I reread it after another comment by X-Country 2 , and I thought maybe Michelle meant instead that yes, almost DID count! (It's funnier the first way though.)
Regardless, my point is that I'm GOING TO THE GYM NOW! I will likely just walk. Maybe do the elliptical, but that sounds...well, like a workout. I'm not sure what has happened to me. I have plenty of energy, I don't feel badly, I'm not even in a bad mood anymore (so much for that being a sign of labor). I am just plain lazy and impatient. Which doesn't even really bother me.
I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, 38 weeks 4 days...a while ago he said, "If you make it to 38 weeks we'll talk about stripping your membranes." I know it's no guarantee, but it beats doing nothing (I think...maybe it'll just make me crazy again, waiting!!).
(UPDATE) I went, I ran a mile, walked a little, stretched, and as usual, remembered that I LOVE the gym. I think my pelvis is protesting a little now, but alas my uterus is NOT.
Regardless, my point is that I'm GOING TO THE GYM NOW! I will likely just walk. Maybe do the elliptical, but that sounds...well, like a workout. I'm not sure what has happened to me. I have plenty of energy, I don't feel badly, I'm not even in a bad mood anymore (so much for that being a sign of labor). I am just plain lazy and impatient. Which doesn't even really bother me.
I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, 38 weeks 4 days...a while ago he said, "If you make it to 38 weeks we'll talk about stripping your membranes." I know it's no guarantee, but it beats doing nothing (I think...maybe it'll just make me crazy again, waiting!!).
(UPDATE) I went, I ran a mile, walked a little, stretched, and as usual, remembered that I LOVE the gym. I think my pelvis is protesting a little now, but alas my uterus is NOT.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Argh.
Any chance extreme irritability is a sign of impending labor? Probably not, but it's the only sign I have. (Doesn't help that my husband keeps saying, "Wow, you really ARE in a bad mood..." and is completely unsympathetic. Yeah, that helps the situation. And yeah, he reads this blog.) I've not experienced any mood swings, emotional stuff, anything the whole pregnancy. Yesterday and today, a different story.
In good news, we got our Christmas tree and started decorating. And my parents brought up the fact that if I'm just getting home from the hospital when they arrive December 23, they plan to stay in a hotel so I can have at least some of the time alone to figure things out that I really think I want. Now, that makes me cry...because it's so nice. Not that I know that I'd want them to. But it's nice that they'd offer.
In good news, we got our Christmas tree and started decorating. And my parents brought up the fact that if I'm just getting home from the hospital when they arrive December 23, they plan to stay in a hotel so I can have at least some of the time alone to figure things out that I really think I want. Now, that makes me cry...because it's so nice. Not that I know that I'd want them to. But it's nice that they'd offer.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Pretty much no change...
Went to the doctor today. Up to 2cm dilated, still 100% effaced and the kid's at +3 station (I finally asked, he said she's been there a while). Found this cool video animation that kind of explains what that means. I asked, "So what if she doesn't come early?" Because my family comes from Michigan on the 23rd, and I do NOT want to be a) in the hospital or b) coming home from the hospital when they are here. I want a few days ALONE to figure things out! The doctor still insists she will be early. Sigh...he hasn't been right about too much so far.
The ultrasound showed she was around 6lbs 13oz, and that's without including a head measurement in the equation (can't see it since she's so low). I was a 9 pounder, my husband 6 something, so if she ends up in between that sounds perfect. I'm really hoping for this weekend.
Of course, today at school I find out there's still NO SUB lined up for me. I bitched at both my department head and the assistant principal about that. Both came back with the same line, basically, "It's not MY job, and anyway, don't worry about it." Are they joking? No one will take responsibility (though apparently later the AP gave the human resources guy (my favorite person) a hard time about it. I let everyone know in June, then again "officially" in September, then again in late October when no one had even started looking and the doctor was worried about bed rest/early labor. It wasn't until the day before Thanksgiving that they actually offered the position to one of 2 people who had applied, and eventually both turned it down because they'd accepted other jobs since it seemed this one was going nowhere. Now, it's true that once the kid is born I proabably won't care what happens at school (though it's REALLY tough to believe that, I love my job and 95% of the kids I teach and they're about to get SCREWED for the next 6-8 weeks with an unqualified sub...or worse, many unqualified subs), but right now I DO CARE and I've been busting my ass trying to keep teaching AND get things together so that when I do go out (and not knowing makes this really hard) it's not just wasted class time for a few weeks. Some of the kids would love that of course, but some of them are serious and would really feel cheated. Sigh...so part of me hopes she won't come until NEXT weekend so that what I have lined up to teach next week will actually get taught...
Anyway, there has been no working out since Saturday when I ran a mile, walked a mile, did some squats and some stuff for my hamstrings and was exhausted by that little effort! This Saturday I'll go to the gym again...once a week is better than nothing.
The ultrasound showed she was around 6lbs 13oz, and that's without including a head measurement in the equation (can't see it since she's so low). I was a 9 pounder, my husband 6 something, so if she ends up in between that sounds perfect. I'm really hoping for this weekend.
Of course, today at school I find out there's still NO SUB lined up for me. I bitched at both my department head and the assistant principal about that. Both came back with the same line, basically, "It's not MY job, and anyway, don't worry about it." Are they joking? No one will take responsibility (though apparently later the AP gave the human resources guy (my favorite person) a hard time about it. I let everyone know in June, then again "officially" in September, then again in late October when no one had even started looking and the doctor was worried about bed rest/early labor. It wasn't until the day before Thanksgiving that they actually offered the position to one of 2 people who had applied, and eventually both turned it down because they'd accepted other jobs since it seemed this one was going nowhere. Now, it's true that once the kid is born I proabably won't care what happens at school (though it's REALLY tough to believe that, I love my job and 95% of the kids I teach and they're about to get SCREWED for the next 6-8 weeks with an unqualified sub...or worse, many unqualified subs), but right now I DO CARE and I've been busting my ass trying to keep teaching AND get things together so that when I do go out (and not knowing makes this really hard) it's not just wasted class time for a few weeks. Some of the kids would love that of course, but some of them are serious and would really feel cheated. Sigh...so part of me hopes she won't come until NEXT weekend so that what I have lined up to teach next week will actually get taught...
Anyway, there has been no working out since Saturday when I ran a mile, walked a mile, did some squats and some stuff for my hamstrings and was exhausted by that little effort! This Saturday I'll go to the gym again...once a week is better than nothing.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
I thought I was not into shoes...
Cleaning up around the house today I realized that I have 5 pairs of the same Brooks running shoes (plus 1 Saucony I currently wear due to their excess cushioning). One pair is brand new in the box waiting for the first post-baby run, one pair was in the basement long past useable, and 3 were in the front entryway...one still useable for running/working out, the other 2 probably way past their prime. I managed to scrounge up an additional 2 pairs of sneakers and all are currently awaiting recycling when our local shoe store collects them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
