My son turned three months old yesterday. It is amazing how far along we have all come as a family.
He is so alert and soaking up the world around him like a sponge.
He smiles so much when he is happy, and has gotten very vocal. He loves his bath and meals.
He has always loved to bathe. He continues to sleep through the night.
He is doing well at daycare. My husband is able to care for him on the days he doesn't go.
I am getting settled back into working.
I think we have finally found our "new normal."
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
To Doula or Not to Doula? That WAS the question.
When I began seeking advice from other women, a few times a doula came up.
Who was my doula? Had I chosen one? I really, really should have one. They are so worth the $500 fee that they charge. Maybe so, but I was very much on the fence from the get go.
I wanted so badly to talk to someone that did NOT have a doula, and lived to tell about it!
Trust me, I entertained the idea. For about a minute! I met two at a baby expo that was hosted by my hospital. I was not impressed by either of them. They were both pretty smug. One was aloof, the other a bit self righteous. Thanks for making that decision so easy for me!
So, I contacted the local birth center via email. I didn't receive a response for over a week, so by then I decided to forget it and I didn't look back!
I decided to save my $500, because I knew that I was certainly going to need it for something else. I was not going to pay some stranger that wasn't even nice to me to come to my birth. That's just a bunch of bull!
I am sure the doula has their place in the lives of other women, but not mine.
Thanks, but no thanks!
Who was my doula? Had I chosen one? I really, really should have one. They are so worth the $500 fee that they charge. Maybe so, but I was very much on the fence from the get go.
I wanted so badly to talk to someone that did NOT have a doula, and lived to tell about it!
Trust me, I entertained the idea. For about a minute! I met two at a baby expo that was hosted by my hospital. I was not impressed by either of them. They were both pretty smug. One was aloof, the other a bit self righteous. Thanks for making that decision so easy for me!
So, I contacted the local birth center via email. I didn't receive a response for over a week, so by then I decided to forget it and I didn't look back!
I decided to save my $500, because I knew that I was certainly going to need it for something else. I was not going to pay some stranger that wasn't even nice to me to come to my birth. That's just a bunch of bull!
I am sure the doula has their place in the lives of other women, but not mine.
Thanks, but no thanks!
Not a defense, but another perspective.
Before I go any further, I would like to state that this blog is not a defense, but another perspective.
We are all different and it takes all kinds of mothers to make the world go 'round!
We are all different and it takes all kinds of mothers to make the world go 'round!
My First Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. This year is my first Mother's Day.
Around this time last year, I would have never guessed that I would be a mother this year. I have to say it has been great so far.
My husband, son, and I all celebrated last night, since I had to work this afternoon. My husband is working this evening.
They took me out to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Copeland's. They gave me a sweet card, a beautiful necklace, two new charms for my charm bracelet, a new charm bracelet, some bath stuff, and a frame that says, "MOM." Not bad for my first Mother's Day! I know they wanted to make it special for me, and they did a great job.
I have to say that last year, I was a bit sad that I was not a mother yet. Everything in good time, right?
Around this time last year, I would have never guessed that I would be a mother this year. I have to say it has been great so far.
My husband, son, and I all celebrated last night, since I had to work this afternoon. My husband is working this evening.
They took me out to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Copeland's. They gave me a sweet card, a beautiful necklace, two new charms for my charm bracelet, a new charm bracelet, some bath stuff, and a frame that says, "MOM." Not bad for my first Mother's Day! I know they wanted to make it special for me, and they did a great job.
I have to say that last year, I was a bit sad that I was not a mother yet. Everything in good time, right?
Saturday, May 9, 2015
I had a plan. Well, sort of, but plans change and that's ok!
When I found out I was pregnant, I checked out every book out there on pregnancy from the library. Ina May Gaskin's Guide To Childbirth was the first book on my list. I soaked it up like a sponge. I didn't read many of the birth stories, but I read the rest of the book. I eventually got to the point where I would skim most to the books that I had checked out. Then I just decided that I wasn't going to over think things and let things happen as they were supposed to happen.
I went into my pregnancy with an open mind, but my preference was to have a natural childbirth. I believed it would be good for me and my baby. I wanted to breastfeed, and didn't want anything to interfere with that.
My plan was not set in stone. The hospital birthing center's procedures were in line with what I wanted, so I didn't make a rigid birth plan.
I had a very smooth pregnancy and was very lucky to not have had any morning sickness. The only issue that I had was gestational diabetes. I felt bad when I first found out, but there was nothing that I had done to cause it. It is just something that happens to some women during pregnancy. I met with a dietitian a few times. I had to follow a strict diet and take my blood sugar three times a day. One perk was that I got more ultrasounds toward the end, so I got to see my baby before each appointment.
My due date was February 3, but I ended up being one week over due. Since I had gestational diabetes, they did not want me to go any longer. It was decided that I would be induced. At the time, it felt like a death sentence. I know that may sound a bit dramatic, but I found out they were going to use Cytotec. I had read some bad things about Cytotec. I was also afraid that induction would cause a domino effect that would lead to a C-section. My worst nightmare! Why would my midwife suggest such a thing? Weren't they against these types of interventions? I felt that since I had gestational diabetes, I was in no position to challenge the authority of my midwife.
My husband and I went in at midnight on Thursday, February 12. I was induced at 1:00 AM. I was given a sleeping pill, but did not get much rest. I was way too anxious. I was still determined to have a natural birth. By 11 AM, I couldn't take the pain any longer. The anesthesiologist was called in and I got an epidural.
To be fair, when one is induced it makes the contractions much more painful. So who knows what would have happen if I hadn't been induced. I might have been a warrior. However, I am not one to dwell on what might have been.
As the famous Edith Piaf song goes, "Non, Je ne regrette rien." Simply translated, "I have no regrets!"
An induction and an epidural not part of my plans, but plans change and that's ok!
I went into my pregnancy with an open mind, but my preference was to have a natural childbirth. I believed it would be good for me and my baby. I wanted to breastfeed, and didn't want anything to interfere with that.
My plan was not set in stone. The hospital birthing center's procedures were in line with what I wanted, so I didn't make a rigid birth plan.
I had a very smooth pregnancy and was very lucky to not have had any morning sickness. The only issue that I had was gestational diabetes. I felt bad when I first found out, but there was nothing that I had done to cause it. It is just something that happens to some women during pregnancy. I met with a dietitian a few times. I had to follow a strict diet and take my blood sugar three times a day. One perk was that I got more ultrasounds toward the end, so I got to see my baby before each appointment.
My due date was February 3, but I ended up being one week over due. Since I had gestational diabetes, they did not want me to go any longer. It was decided that I would be induced. At the time, it felt like a death sentence. I know that may sound a bit dramatic, but I found out they were going to use Cytotec. I had read some bad things about Cytotec. I was also afraid that induction would cause a domino effect that would lead to a C-section. My worst nightmare! Why would my midwife suggest such a thing? Weren't they against these types of interventions? I felt that since I had gestational diabetes, I was in no position to challenge the authority of my midwife.
My husband and I went in at midnight on Thursday, February 12. I was induced at 1:00 AM. I was given a sleeping pill, but did not get much rest. I was way too anxious. I was still determined to have a natural birth. By 11 AM, I couldn't take the pain any longer. The anesthesiologist was called in and I got an epidural.
To be fair, when one is induced it makes the contractions much more painful. So who knows what would have happen if I hadn't been induced. I might have been a warrior. However, I am not one to dwell on what might have been.
As the famous Edith Piaf song goes, "Non, Je ne regrette rien." Simply translated, "I have no regrets!"
An induction and an epidural not part of my plans, but plans change and that's ok!
An Introduction
After a rather long hiatus, I have decided to begin blogging again.
This blogs main focus will be on my life and experiences as a mother.
My son will be three months next week. Even though I have only been a mother for three months, I have quite a bit to say on the subject.
Anyone who knows me will know that I am rarely outspoken, unless we are extremely close. I tend to keep my opinions to myself and avoid arguing with people. Some people do not show me the same courtesy, so I just smile, nod, and go about my business. It makes live so much easier that way.
Since I have become a mother, I have been subject so much free advice, wisdom, etc. Some of it has been great, especially when I have asked for it. Some of the unsolicited just made me shake my head.
There is so much that I have learned about being a parent in the last three months. I am looking forward to the months ahead.
Welcome to my journey!
This blogs main focus will be on my life and experiences as a mother.
My son will be three months next week. Even though I have only been a mother for three months, I have quite a bit to say on the subject.
Anyone who knows me will know that I am rarely outspoken, unless we are extremely close. I tend to keep my opinions to myself and avoid arguing with people. Some people do not show me the same courtesy, so I just smile, nod, and go about my business. It makes live so much easier that way.
Since I have become a mother, I have been subject so much free advice, wisdom, etc. Some of it has been great, especially when I have asked for it. Some of the unsolicited just made me shake my head.
There is so much that I have learned about being a parent in the last three months. I am looking forward to the months ahead.
Welcome to my journey!
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