Juggling

Man, I miss blogging, It helped me remember, organized and kept me somewhat sane along with many other therapeutic qualities. I am sure I will regain control of my life at some point but right now, the time that I find available for blogging is trumped by the need to either: pick up toys, clean up the mess, take a shower (which could include cleaning up the mess), sleeping, washing laundry, feeling guilty about disciplining MT repetitively, enforcing Time outs, trying to keep everyone attended to and somewhat happy, and trying to keep up with my tivo. Here I'll start with a picture:




This past month has flown by. MT got Rs.v and had to have breathing treatments every 4 hrs for a few days and then was put on antibiotics for a sinus infection. This was the second time in his life taking antibiotics. The first time (around 9 mons), He had night terrors, but the dr's office thought It was just a fluke, but after 3 doses this time, he developed night terrors again and I had to take him off of it and find something.

We are still trying to find a pattern for life that works for us. Many people have asked about jealousy and MT. I still do not think that there are many jealous tendencies from him. Don't get me wrong, that does not mean that he is a perfect angel and never attempts to throw toys at him or sit on him - It just, to me, is no different then he was before the baby arrived. MT hit the "terrible two's" somewhere around 14 months. Tantrums, OH the tantrums! He gets better and better with his tantrum performance every day. Emmy Quality! At almost 20 months (yes he is almost 20 months, WHAT!) He has the tantrums pretty much perfected. I have yet to find a way to discipline him that gets his attention best. I try, but he is just exploring hid rights and limitations. I just have to stay consistent and do my best. Which lately has not been my best. It has included alot of screaming and crying ..... From both of us. At 20 months, he understands ALOT. The problem with that, He still does not use words much. But BOY Can he Talk. He tries, he will "tell" you all kinds of things. He "tells" me plenty in sounds strung together to sound like sentences - and hopefully for my sake there are some words or cues that I understand so I can figure out what he is telling me. But this is where he/we gets frustrated alot. He wants me to understand/I want to understand but do not always understand him ..or it takes me longer to understand him that he wanted. I am contemplating speech therapy but may give it a few more months to see what he develops. His desire to communicate has exploded over the past month and I am working with him to see if I can help first. He also has an interest in using the potty. So we are working on this too. He is tall enough to reach counters, cabinets, shelves and if he is n ot tall wnough, He knows to climb on chairs and such to make him taller. He is SMART and Fast. The other day,I was feeding 2.0 and found MT pushing up a chair to the fridge to get his own ice and water from the outside door compartment. and even with his tantrums and days of outburst, he still has me wrapped around his finger. Man, I love how much life lessons he teaches me.

2.0 is doing well. He is doing great bfing. He still hates the paci but loves to suck, so we are still attempting to become acquainted with the paci. He still has a hard time sleeping unless being held/in a sling. He LOVES to be talked to. He has the biggest whole face toothless grin that makes my heart melt. He is generally a very happy baby. (unless in his carseat) He does sleep in blocks of 4 ish hours at night. So as long as MT is sleeping, I have been able to get a 4 hr chunk of sleep at times.

Both of mine come with very short fuses though. If they want something, they want it 5 mins ago! MT is almost done with teething and I could not be more excited. Teething, for us, has been pretty awful. He has 2 more 2yr molars to get, then he will be all done. I do not think it will be much longer waiting because those areas already have swollen gums.

Life with 2, is a balancing act. Some days start with both crying at the same time and other days everything just seems to be seamless and boosts my confidence for the times that are not so seamless. I try to keep things in perspective, keep great company and continue trying to find a groove that works best for us. Honestly, this is the hardest thing I have ever done in life. Somedays it's all fun and games and somedays it's worse than a trip to the dentist. But, I am determined to raise good, polite, wellrounded, enjoyable, fun loving boys and have the most fun we can have doing it. 99.9% of the time, I feel honored and blessed to have this opportunity, the other .1% takes over on the rough days, We just push through those days, get through bedtime and start with a clean slate the next day.

New Year, New Terrain

Hi, My name is Terrible Blogger. Merry Holidays and Happy New Year!



Life with 2. Uhm... Busy! MT is almost 19 months and we refer to the new lil one as 2.0. 2.0 is almost 6 weeks.

MT is actually a very big fan of his lil brother. This has helped me so much. MT is my baby monitor. If the "beh beeh beeeh beeh" (french sounding MT speak for Baby) moves, farts, whimpers, breathes MT is there to make sure that he is ok. He loves to give 2.0 kisses and hugs.



E was off work for ~5weeks so I was very lucky. 4 arms for 2 babies. It was the holidays so he took a few extra weeks of leave. it was actually our first Christmas with E not working. He took knew that once he started back working, I would have no help from him anymore. He works weird hours that basically do not allow him to help around the house or with the kids until these extra few weeks so that we could actually have a family Christmas and also because we all is schedule changes. Hopefully in July He will be able to change things around so he can be home to help and spend time with us.



BF is still going well. It has been a challenge to BF and still try to wrangle a VERY energetic toddler. I have never at all considered or understood energy drinks until MT learned to move. I have decided that my son is the reason those drinks exist. And I still have not had one. I learned a few tricks is that you give him a snack/toy/tv show/insert whatever distraction that he really enjoys that he ONLY gets when you are BF-ing the baby. This has helped us some. Other times, I have learned to BF in a sling and Run after him.



My mother had to be admitted in the hospital Monday. After a few days and a few tests were performed, they discovered ulcers in her stomach. They think it is from worrying and stress and a terrible eating habit. But she is out of the hospital and hopefully start listening to us to find an outlet for stress and take better care of herself



Since he has returned back to work, Some days I know I am not equipped for this, Other days it seems to go w/o a glitch. I have only had 1 melt down and a few freak outs! But in the end, It's over little things that do not matter in the long term.



Since I am a bad blogger Leave a comment on where you are in your Life so I can play Catch Up and delete my thousands of unread posts.

I owe you lots of updates - Things are going ok. The Birth was perfect. I tore a little but in bad spots (urethra) ... Little Sleep is happening. 2 yr molars are coming in, The Armadillo is doing well. We go for another weight check and rh factor check again tomorrow. He failed his Coombs Test in the hospital and the dr's have been paying close attention to him and running lots of blood work and tests. He is very red but getting better the level is dropping. I do not really , completely understand the Coomb's Test but I am trying. He is bf-ing much better than MT ever did. I am trying to figure out how I am going to keep bf-ing and run after the 17 month old in public when there is only 1 of me and 2 of them. I am going to get one of those apron looking things and see if that helps me feel a bit more discreet. But: We. Are.Managing. Right now, I am glad E is here with an extra set of arms and patience's. Tonight, we did manage to go see Santa:

As you can see, Everyone survived (even Santa).

The real reason for this post is to ask that you Please stop by This Blog (They are giving a donation per comment towards Now, I lay me down to Sleep) . If you could spread the love, let's makes this a big donation through comments.

Ack - It's time to eat for someone ... He is calling me loudly

The Butterball Turkey

And So it Begins

Again.

I went through dinner, bath, bedtime last night being very weepy. Knowing that Today, MT would no longer be my one and only. As I left him at my parents house sleeping, I began to have such a rough time backing my car out of their driveway. Knowing that I was about to change his world forever and he had very little idea. He will wake up in the morning, the grandparents will tend to him ... And I will already be at the Hospital preparing for his little brothers' arrival.

They try to assure/comfort me with words. "He will be the greatest big brother", "Greatest Gift for a Child" Right now, All I can think about is how blessed we are, but how sad I am to be away from MT for Thanksgiving. It will be a few days before I will come home and get to be there for him. I hate that feeling ...... but I am amazed and inspired to be able to provide him with a sibling.

He may not ever remember the Thanksgiving I missed when he was 17 months old, But I Truly hope that He will Always remember/care/protect his younger brother .

And just like that, So it begins. I am off to do the unthinkable .........Again ... On such a week to show my appreciation and thanks ... Some may call it Ironic, I call it a Blessing. An outward sign to never forget the journey our family traveled to get here.

Along for the Ride

I was reminded that it has been over 2 weeks since I posted an update of the Fertilized Household. Hold on to your hats - We've been Busy ...

Ok where to begin:

Weekly NST/OB Appointments: I have been going for 3-4 weeks now. I am HOPING that I had my last OB/NST appointment Tues. I was 3 cm dilated last friday and Tues, I was almost 5.5cm. I have been having Contractions every 40-55 mins apart until yesterday. They were 18-22 mins apart for about 2.5 hours. I called the Dr's office and they told me to wait until they were 10-15 mins apart. Told me to give it about 1-2 more hours, then head in. So hubs called into work, and I went for a walk to speed the process along. Half way through my walk, The Contractions just stopped. Completely. FRUSTRATING ......... Today = a few contractions here and there but nothing worthy of timing. If I do not go on my own before teh 24th, I have to be induced on the 25th( day before Thanksgiving here) Bleh, Bleh and more Bleh. We have a ton of Family coming for Thanksgiving and I would like to spend it with them and not in a Hospital. Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday. BUT if that is what it takes to get a healthy baby here, So be it.

OK Now Let's Back up to Friday night - MT got a 100.something fever after his bath so I gave him a lil motrin, I checked on him around 1am, and the Fever had gotten to 102.something ... It was no t time for motrin so I waited til it was then gave him more. He woke up at 5am and his fever was 103 something .... I decided to put him in a bath and try to see what that would do .... At 6:45am, I called his ped's office and they told me to do things I had already tried. And if I wanted to, I could go to our Ped ER, But it did not open until 11am. I could just take him to the hospital ER. By that time, he had already fallen asleep in my lap so I tried to wait it out. He woke up around 9 and his fever was over 104.7 and still rising, I freaking out. Called his Dr and headed to the Ped ER to be first in line.

Of course, Everything looked ok, Nose, ears throat, Except his Skin. He was having a terrible flair up (happens right before he gets sick usually) We discussed the seasonal/h1n1 flu scenario and left with ointments for his eczema and tam.iflu..... They said he had possible Flu .. and on the safe side. We treated it. He has been off the meds for 2 days now. Today we went back for a follow up and all seems to be great (even his skin) ....

So now, we are all just waiting and anticipating the Armadillo's Arrival. If you could, I would LOVE good thoughts/vibes/prayers/etc that this Lil one Comes Before the 25th! I have once again been a bad reading/supporting blogger - and once I get it all together - you will see Comments from me again!!

More of the Life

Halloween was so much fun. We had a few parties we went to and on Saturday, We joined up with my parents friends that take their kids around to their friend/families houses on a hayride. I was afraid of riding on the trailer and E had to work, So my Dad volunteered to help out. He rode on the trailer with MT as I rode on the inside of the truck. MT had a BLAST! He had no idea what was going on. He absolutely adored riding in the trailer with all the kids and candy. He smiled the whole time. All 3.5 hours. I thought we would have to get off before they were done riding because he would have been so tired, but the kid's energy must have kept him going. And as long as he was enjoying himself, I let him ride. He consumed WAY too much candy that night. But You are only a kid once and a lil candy never hurt anyone. That was the latest he has ever been up in months though. And he enjoyed every minute of it. And I thoroughly enjoyed him having so much fun. I still can't figure out how had more fun, My Dad or MT.

Ok, Let's talk about this daylight savings time ordeal ....... It's been almost a week and I think we may be back on track. What a terrible thing to have .. Daylights Saving time! They tell me I gained an hour, but WOW does it feel like I lost about 10.

My group that I hang out with threw me a baby shower at the Mouse/Cheese place the other day. I am soo grateful for them. It really made me feel very special and blessed.

(remember these are MY feelings about This pregnancy - not everyone has to agree or disagree)

Speaking of the pregnancy - I have been having weekly NST's for the past 3 weeks. A few weeks ago, I received less than favorable news. My MFM did a growth scan and the baby was estimating about 7lbs 10oz. at 1 day shy of 35 weeks and low fluids. His Conservative opinion was the schedule a c section in 2-3 weeks. The term is macrosomia ( big bellied baby - it is from me being Gest. Diabetic) I asked him if anything was showing that the baby was in distress or anything that would warrant a schedule c-section. He did not see anything else alarming. The fluid was low, but it was not that low and fluid levels increase/decrease so it could have just been a bad time to check fluid levels. I had an OB appointment the next day. The OB I saw was all about a scheduled c- section. I lost my mind.

The reason I lost my mind, Something I have never posted on this blog (i do not think). I was put into labor at the MFM's office because of an Amnio at 36 /37 weeks with MT. It could have all gone very bad, but we all know it did not he was/is fine and had no complications from his delivery. So the MFM already told me that he would not do an amnio for this pregnancy.

The morning the did that amnio on MT they also did a growth scan and told me that he was ~9lb baby. He was delivered about 10 hours later weighing 7lbs 8oz. So growth scans to me, are just guesses and are not right 99% of the time. And can be a tool to freak mom/families out with and guide dr's. It is not at all exact.

I would want an amnio done to check for the lung maturation before I would feel comfortable about a scheduled section before 37 weeks.

I am also on blood thinners. Having major surgery becomes such a huge timing thing when on blood thinners, plus it leaves me at a higher % of getting blood clots after the surgery. Not something I want to worry about while adjusting to having a 17 month old and a newborn. I explained my opinion to the OB and she told me that they would have to get back to me at my next appointment on what they decide is best.

Yesterday at my weekly NST and Dr appointment, The Dr that was there to deliver MT, was my OB that day. She is also head of the practice and one of my Favs. She helped decide that as of right now, There is no need for a scheduled section. She is hopeful that I will go into labor on my own. I have weekly appointments/NST's. In 2 weeks, If no baby yet. I will have another growth scan to look at the baby's belly and hope it is the same ... If i make it to 39 weeks, Induction will happen. So ~3 weeks, MT gets a brother and I gain a newborn. Until then, you can find me walking, walking, walking, walking standing vertical often and chugging water to bring on the labor!