What a great time we are having here in Myrtle Beach! It's been so nice to slip away from the busyness of our schedules and enjoy some time just being a family.- not to mention in the warm sunshine with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic! We are on day 7 of our vacation but I am going to do my best to recall the events of our week...
Day 1: Saturday
We had an early morning flight, 8:00 to be exact, which meant we were out the door at 5am and headed to the airport. Aunt Terri was so kind and offered to drive us the night before we left. We gladly excepted the offer and were happy not to pay long term parking costs:) woo hoo! The girls slept in their clothes so that we could just get them out of bed and put them into the car. Madelyn thought this was pretty cool and I've had to remind her that this won't become habit. :) Girls were in good spirits as we squished into our escape and headed to Metro. Nobody went back to sleep on the way either. We arrived and slowly moved our way toward the check in line. I don't recall not being able to check in online when Madelyn was a baby but apparently with Sprint they don't allow it if you have a lap child. boo. The line was long but moved quickly. We had 2 strollers. 2 carseats, 2 suitcases, diaper bags and 2 girls. We were happy to get rid of the carseats and luggage to say the least. The security line was ridiculously long, however, when we got it line it grew another mile behind us. We made it through without any hiccups. Girls were cooperating but I had to pee after having my coffee. oh joy! We made it to our gate and then had breakfast at McDonald's. Tummy's were full and I anticipated at least Alyssa would fall asleep on the plane. I grabbed some gum and snacks while Robert let Alyssa run around for about 5 minutes before it was time to board.
We were seated in the very last row with 3 seats all together. Madelyn was stoked to play the new i pad and Alyssa watched, all the while trying to poke her cute little fingers at it just like her big sissy. Lou was exhausted and sucked away at her binky many times but didn't' fall asleep until about 10 minutes before the descent began. Go figure. All in all, it was a great flight. Alyssa had no problems staying in my lap and being content. If you know Alyssa, this is quite a feat for her but she triumphed! Madelyn thought the plane ride was pretty neat, enjoyed seeing the clouds out her window and looking at the wings. 10:00 AM- welcome to Myrtle Beach!
Checked the hotel- full, McCallister's for lunch, Tanger Outlets, Sightseeing drive, went to beach, checked into hotel at 3:30, nap, pool, pizza from Pizza Shak in room.
Day 2: Sunday
4 mile run, Beach, naps, Broadway at the Beach- Hard Rock Cafe
Day 3: Monday
Beach, naps, walked to 2nd ave pier- BUST, Murrells Inlet- Russells seafood mmmm:)
Day 4: Tuesday
4.5 mile run, beach, icecream, naps, Myabi- Japanese Steakhouse
Day 5: Wednesday
beach, naps, beach, Pier 14 Bar & Grill, "Boom your buttcheeks out!", mommy & maddy got icecream next to hotel, ordered airbrush tee for M.
Day 6: Thursday
shelling in am, beach, naps, Barefoot Landing- Fire Island Grille, Maggie Moo's icecream
day 7: Friday
breakfast at 2nd ave pier, Broadway at the Beach- Medieval Times dinner show
Day 8: Saturday
Just now discovered the Dunkin Dounuts a block up the road...I've been having less than par coffee all week! Checked out of the hotel at 11 am and hung out at the beach until 3. The girls were great, so content. I'm speaking more for Alyssa, since this was smack dab in the middle of her usual nap time. They both played well and I soaked up some last minute sun. We cleaned up in the lobby and changed our clothes before heading back to the airport for our 6 o'clock flight. Alyssa was exhausted and threw some fits on the plane. stressful to get her asleep which she finally did with about 5 minutes left of the flight. oh joy.
GREAT TRIP! Can't wait for next year's adventures:)
Monday, May 21, 2012
Some very random updates:)
- Well today is Monday and I am spending the day at home with my little ladies! Not because any of us are sick, we are quite healthy, but because Penny (daycare provider) is on vacation this week. It came at a pretty inconvenient time with only a few weeks left of school but oh well, what can ya do?
- So the girls will be with my mom a couple of days and my Grandma on Friday. Robert may be home with them on Thursday, not sure yet. I am actually welcoming having a day home during the week. It's been a long time since we were vacationing this year during Spring Break- which reminds me, I do have a draft going on that vacation- shoot...totally forgot to finish that one up!! (that will come soon...I hope)
- This past weekend was amaaaazzing!!! The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we spent so much time outside! I was able to get my flowers planted and the girls splashed around in the pool both days. Madelyn spent hours in there with the neighbor girl, Erin. At the end of the day, the girls were filthy from being wet, running in the grass, coloring with sidewalk chalk, towing things in and out of the garage etc. Those are the best days- so care-free! Nae and Tony came over for dinner and beers and we sat and roasted on the deck. It nothing short of spectacular! I LOVE SUMMER.
- The dock is in!!!! Next weekend's weather outlook is good!!! Can't wait to spend it lakeside with my fam:)
- I'm on week two of seven in a reading class that is required by the state of Michigan for renewing my teaching license. The class is a nice change of pace from my usual master's program classes. I have papers due every week, rather than every two weeks. So far, I have spent both Sunday nights up until 11 or so writing my papers. I just can't bring myself to sit on the computer during the weekend and especially with lovely weather. It will be nice to soon be home and have time to write the papers during the week.
- About a month ago, Robert and I watched an infomercial for the world's greatest pill- "My Pillow" and well, I was suckered. I am always complaining about how flat my pillows get and that I just want a nice pillow. So I got online and ordered it. Robert made fun of my the entire time and so I opted to order one for him also. He has lots of sleep troubles anyway. Plus it was a 60 day money back guarantee. I figured, if it's as nice and they say, then I've scored and if not, I tried (and get my money back) right? Let me tell you this pillow is AWESOME!!! and Robert most of all has told many people about the wonders it has done for his sleep! We've had a few people order them after out testimony. such a simple thing but so important to have good sleep. check it out, if you having trouble sleeping. warning: the infomercial is pretty comical and cheesy but the product does deliver.
- Robert has been at his new job for a couple of months and they recently moved into their building and love it. We had the ribbon cutting ceremony two weeks ago and it was pretty neat to be there for the grand opening. They have 5 guys and they make a great team.
- I've been running for the past few months and just love it. It always get more difficult to keep it up in the summer because I don't enjoy running in the real heat and the girls are home with me all day though. I will do my best.
- Ohhh! I've run 2 races this summer so far and have a few more to do. The last one I placed 3rd in my age group and won....a pair of socks! (ha) With each race I've improved my time by 2+ minutes. What a thrill that is crossing the finish line and seeing my time get shorter. Love it!
- 13 MORE DAYS!!!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Brutally Honest...
It has been forever since I last posted on this blog. I always have such good thoughts and think "I should blog this!" but then I can't seem to sit down and actually do it. Tonight is different. I am going to type this for myself and if someone else stumbles upon it then maybe you can offer some advice or encouragement. Here goes...
I have two wonderful, amazing, beautiful and healthy little girls. I love them with everything I have and then some. I thank God for all the joy they have brought into the lives of my husband and I. I love being a mom and even more, love being their mom. For as long as I can remember, it has always been a dream to have a larger family than what I had growing up. Now, I am not criticizing my parents for choosing to have just me and my brother. I love my brother, I really do. But, with that said, I often wish I had more siblings to share this life with. When I met Robert, I still thought that I wanted to have four children, no questions about it. He had a very different picture in mind. Although, he came from a family of four children, he did not want more than two. Of course, this was early on and we laughed and joked about this topic. Every girl thinks they can persuade their guy in just about every area, right?
Fast forward to today.....2 daughters and my husband STILL insists on no more kids. While I know he absolutely adores our girls and loves them with all he's got, he has a different picture of complete than I do. This makes my heart ache. Some days more than others. We've had the emotionally draining, hours long conversation of why I want another and why he so strongly believes there are already too many people on this planet and we don't need to add another. I get his argument, I really do, although not to the extent that I want to stop having children. After all, I am not asking for a dozen, just ONE more. ONE more is that really so much to ask? Apparently, it is.
Then there's the conversation about money...Oh money....how I love you and loathe you all at once. We already have TWO college tuitions to pay for, TWO vehicles, TWO weddings, TWO wardrobes (technically 1 since they are both girls), TWO daycare costs (temporary), TWO airplane tickets for vacations...and the list goes on. I have many pros and cons on my list as well. I am thankful to have a husband who is so money conscious and who does not want to live in debt and who takes it upon him to make sure we are financially well and set for a good future but WHYYYYY or why can't we agree on this one issue?!
I hear of other women who will say things like "Oh my husband doesn't want any more" or "It's not up to him" or "what if we just have an oops?" and this drives me bonkers!!! This drives me bonkers for a few reasons. 1) I know that for me, it's not as simple as "ill just talk him into it" 2) my husband isn't a push-over, not even close 3) I would never, never in a million years wish to have an "oops" in this situation for it would just not be good on our marriage if my husband weren't all for it. Madelyn was an "oops" and this is why I do not do the pills anymore. No chance of an oops:( I always getting very frustrated when Facebook turns into a baby competition. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for those who learn they are expecting but for real, when it's not always that simple for everyone, it sure can annoy the heck out of me. In case anyone reads this- Please, please no offense to ANYONE. It's not your fault.
I don't need sympathy, sometimes I just want to feel like I'm not the only mom/wife in this situation. I can't be the only one out there who is in disagreement with their husband on this topic, am I? Oh, I wish is weren't so complicated. blaah
I have two wonderful, amazing, beautiful and healthy little girls. I love them with everything I have and then some. I thank God for all the joy they have brought into the lives of my husband and I. I love being a mom and even more, love being their mom. For as long as I can remember, it has always been a dream to have a larger family than what I had growing up. Now, I am not criticizing my parents for choosing to have just me and my brother. I love my brother, I really do. But, with that said, I often wish I had more siblings to share this life with. When I met Robert, I still thought that I wanted to have four children, no questions about it. He had a very different picture in mind. Although, he came from a family of four children, he did not want more than two. Of course, this was early on and we laughed and joked about this topic. Every girl thinks they can persuade their guy in just about every area, right?
Fast forward to today.....2 daughters and my husband STILL insists on no more kids. While I know he absolutely adores our girls and loves them with all he's got, he has a different picture of complete than I do. This makes my heart ache. Some days more than others. We've had the emotionally draining, hours long conversation of why I want another and why he so strongly believes there are already too many people on this planet and we don't need to add another. I get his argument, I really do, although not to the extent that I want to stop having children. After all, I am not asking for a dozen, just ONE more. ONE more is that really so much to ask? Apparently, it is.
Then there's the conversation about money...Oh money....how I love you and loathe you all at once. We already have TWO college tuitions to pay for, TWO vehicles, TWO weddings, TWO wardrobes (technically 1 since they are both girls), TWO daycare costs (temporary), TWO airplane tickets for vacations...and the list goes on. I have many pros and cons on my list as well. I am thankful to have a husband who is so money conscious and who does not want to live in debt and who takes it upon him to make sure we are financially well and set for a good future but WHYYYYY or why can't we agree on this one issue?!
I hear of other women who will say things like "Oh my husband doesn't want any more" or "It's not up to him" or "what if we just have an oops?" and this drives me bonkers!!! This drives me bonkers for a few reasons. 1) I know that for me, it's not as simple as "ill just talk him into it" 2) my husband isn't a push-over, not even close 3) I would never, never in a million years wish to have an "oops" in this situation for it would just not be good on our marriage if my husband weren't all for it. Madelyn was an "oops" and this is why I do not do the pills anymore. No chance of an oops:( I always getting very frustrated when Facebook turns into a baby competition. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for those who learn they are expecting but for real, when it's not always that simple for everyone, it sure can annoy the heck out of me. In case anyone reads this- Please, please no offense to ANYONE. It's not your fault.
I don't need sympathy, sometimes I just want to feel like I'm not the only mom/wife in this situation. I can't be the only one out there who is in disagreement with their husband on this topic, am I? Oh, I wish is weren't so complicated. blaah
Monday, January 2, 2012
Alyssa Michele {Birth Story}- long overdue!
***This was worked on months ago and just discovered unfinished so I will update it where I left off. (geesh!)**
I had my 38 weeks OB appointment on Tuesday November 23rd. We had conferences that week at school Tues and Wed. 4-7pm and would then have Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving. When I got back to see Dr. Scott, he checked me and I was dilated 2cm and 70Z% effaced. He told me he would be on call the following Tuesday the 30th and would love to have a baby on that day. I was more than thrilled that he had offered to induce me a week early! So I of course said yes and we made an appointment for a check up on Monday with the intent of inducing me the next day. Grinning ear to ear, I left the office and headed back to school to get some final things prepared since I now only had 2 more days left of work.
I called Robert and told him the news. He was surprised. I called my mom, no answer and then my dad (who was on the road, driving truck) whom I did get to talk to. He was very excited also. First thing when I got back to school,I told my principal and secretary and we talked and laughed and got really, really excited! I didn't have conferences of my own becausec I hold my own IEP meetings throughout the year with parents. So during this time while the regular ed. teachers are conferencing, I still have to be there to put in the time. Just wanted to clarify why I had all this time to leave for an appt. and chat with some coworkers.
Okay so back in my classroom, I was almost frantic to get things done. I had been working really hard on getting things around for my sub and for the most part things were ready as far as academics go. I had some other housekeeping type of things to get straightened out and to leave directions for.
I sat down at my reading table and suddenly felt a braxton hicks contraction coming on, but this time it was campy, like when I was on my period. I thought "this must be what it feels like to have real contractions!" (I was induced with Madelyn) Of course I felt a real contraction before but not coming on slowly and naturally. Pitocin brings them on FAST and STRONG. I got pretty excited and checked the time so I could keep track of when the next one would come. I was told they should be coming 5 minutes apart for an hour and then to come to the hospital.
I finished things up at work and by 7:15 I headed home.
I got into bed at 11 and fell asleep quickly.
1:00 am I am awoken by a very painful contraction. Holy cow that hurt. I woke Robert to tell him I just had a contraction and that it was a "real one too!" haha
1o minutes later another one. This continued for 2 hours while I laid in my bed trying to breathe through those contractions. I still kept thinking this wasn't going to be the real deal. That they would spread back out, I'd be bummed, go back to sleep, and go to work tired the next day. After 2 hours I decided to move out into the living room as to not keep Robert awake. He is a grouch when he doesn't get enough sleep. I moved out to the couch and turned on some TV Land to watch an episode of Home Improvement and then Family Matters. All the while, still having contractions every 10 minutes on the dot. After 2 hours in the living room they spread out to about 20 minutes for a couple of them so I decided to go back to bed and hopefully I could sleep it off and get a couple hours of sleep. Yeah right, you can't "sleep off" labor contractions. HAHA
I fell asleep for maybe 15 minutes and they were back, 10 minutes apart. At 530 I got on the phone and started trying to find a sub. 3rd try I was able to get one that I know real well. yay! I told her I don't know if it's the real thing or not but there is no way I will be working with contractions like this.
Robert left for work just like any other day. He thought I was exaggerating with my contractions. I told him I needed Madelyn to go to daycare because I couldn't take care of her like this. Of course he didn't believe me (nice huh?) so I said forget it, I'll call aunt Terri and ask her to take Madelyn to daycare. To his credit, i think he had some sort of a meeting that morning and didn't have time to take Madelyn. I don't remember, but oh well. Aunt Terri lives around the corner on Wolf Lake so she came over around 8 and got Madelyn to Penny's house.
ALL DAY LONG I labored at home with contractions 10 minutes apart. I think around 2ish they spread out again to 20 minutes or so. Still so painful when they came though. Shortly after that, they were back close together and I was down on all fours trying to breathe through them. I started writing down the times because I was having a hard time remembering each time a new one would come. I called Robert crying, and he said he would leave work and come home. This was about 330ish. They started getting closer and once they were 7 minutes apart I called him again and said "I think this is it, you better get Madelyn and get home NOW"
**1/2/11- WOW it's been an entire year since I worked on this post and I see that I never completed it. yikes! I will attempt to do so now...
Soooo...after that call to Robert, the contractions continued and were strong. I called Aunt Terri to come over and stay with Madelyn when they got home. She quickly came over and Robert and Maddy got home. Then, they slowed down and it had been several minutes (maybe 10 or so?) and I wasn't having the contractions. ugggh. I was so worried that it was false labor and I'd feel silly being sent back home. As I was sitting on the bar stool contemplating what the heck was going on, I suddenly had another and it was the worst yet. It was showtime, we were on our way to the hospital. All the way there, contractions were coming 3-4 minutes apart. It was awful pain and Robert was trying to get there as fast as he could. We pulled in, not knowing where to go, parking garage? drop off? what the heck? we hadn't gotten this far in finding out from Dr. Scott what we were to do. Luckily, at my last appt. I did ask what floor L&D was on. I hadn't known before since Madelyn was born in Charlotte. We opted for the parking garage, which I see now was silly. haha but did a couple of other silly things too...we went into registration, thinking that since I hadn't registered, I needed to do that first. They lady in there chuckled as she politely told me to go straight up to L & D since I was in labor. I didn't want a wheelchair but since every few minutes, I had to stop hold Robert and breathe (and cry) through a contraction, it was best.
We got up to the 4th floor (I think it's the 4th?) and they took me into the triage room or whatever they call it. She was getting my information and I had another contraction. Except this time, it wasn't very strong and it didn't take much to get through it. I commented on how "that wasn't so bad". The nurse turned to me and said "So they've been stronger than that? Because that wasn't very strong". (or something hinting to me that it wasn't a very strong contraction) I began doubting myself again and thinking we were surely going to be sent home after she checks me. She came over to check me and her words were "Honey, you're about a 6-7 and you're definitely in active labor". Phew! I was so relieved. Onto my next thought...I better not miss my opportunity for that epidural!!! Robert got up out of the wheelchair he was doing wheelies and spinning around in. He told me he was totally thought we'd be going back home. HA! I told him I was in pain and it had to be the real deal...Men! He'd think he was dying if he felt the pain of a contraction! haha
So anyway, they wheeled my bed to the delivery room where I preceded to beg for the anesthesiologist to get up here now! They kept telling me they had paged him but that they couldn't do anything until they got a whole bag of water in me through the IV. UGGH this took forever!!! Robert was getting nervous about me missing the epidural also. After much begging and pleading for that doctor to arrive, he finally did. My contractions were horrible, horrible, horrible! I was crying and yelling that I couldn't do this, there was no way! He laid me on my right side and prepped the area for the needle. He put it in and once he did that I remember crying and saying "it's not working, I still feel everything!" He responded with something about having to do 3 doses and give it some time to kick in? Then my next remark was "Oh no!!! now I have to poop!!" (hahah) The doctor looks at me and says "No honey, you're about to have a baby!" I couldn't turn over to my back because the contractions were so painful. I told the nurses they had to roll me because I couldn't physically do it and they did. I pushed just short of 10 minutes and out came my beautiful baby girl, Alyssa Michele! She was perfect and healthy:)
Let me just remind you that the epidural never kicked in since they never fully gave it to me and I felt everything. I never thought in a million years that I would be able to bare the pain of natural childbirth, but I did! It was amazing. If I ever do it again, I will still be asking for that epidural though. Women who don't are nuts!
I had my 38 weeks OB appointment on Tuesday November 23rd. We had conferences that week at school Tues and Wed. 4-7pm and would then have Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving. When I got back to see Dr. Scott, he checked me and I was dilated 2cm and 70Z% effaced. He told me he would be on call the following Tuesday the 30th and would love to have a baby on that day. I was more than thrilled that he had offered to induce me a week early! So I of course said yes and we made an appointment for a check up on Monday with the intent of inducing me the next day. Grinning ear to ear, I left the office and headed back to school to get some final things prepared since I now only had 2 more days left of work.
I called Robert and told him the news. He was surprised. I called my mom, no answer and then my dad (who was on the road, driving truck) whom I did get to talk to. He was very excited also. First thing when I got back to school,I told my principal and secretary and we talked and laughed and got really, really excited! I didn't have conferences of my own becausec I hold my own IEP meetings throughout the year with parents. So during this time while the regular ed. teachers are conferencing, I still have to be there to put in the time. Just wanted to clarify why I had all this time to leave for an appt. and chat with some coworkers.
Okay so back in my classroom, I was almost frantic to get things done. I had been working really hard on getting things around for my sub and for the most part things were ready as far as academics go. I had some other housekeeping type of things to get straightened out and to leave directions for.
I sat down at my reading table and suddenly felt a braxton hicks contraction coming on, but this time it was campy, like when I was on my period. I thought "this must be what it feels like to have real contractions!" (I was induced with Madelyn) Of course I felt a real contraction before but not coming on slowly and naturally. Pitocin brings them on FAST and STRONG. I got pretty excited and checked the time so I could keep track of when the next one would come. I was told they should be coming 5 minutes apart for an hour and then to come to the hospital.
I finished things up at work and by 7:15 I headed home.
I got into bed at 11 and fell asleep quickly.
1:00 am I am awoken by a very painful contraction. Holy cow that hurt. I woke Robert to tell him I just had a contraction and that it was a "real one too!" haha
1o minutes later another one. This continued for 2 hours while I laid in my bed trying to breathe through those contractions. I still kept thinking this wasn't going to be the real deal. That they would spread back out, I'd be bummed, go back to sleep, and go to work tired the next day. After 2 hours I decided to move out into the living room as to not keep Robert awake. He is a grouch when he doesn't get enough sleep. I moved out to the couch and turned on some TV Land to watch an episode of Home Improvement and then Family Matters. All the while, still having contractions every 10 minutes on the dot. After 2 hours in the living room they spread out to about 20 minutes for a couple of them so I decided to go back to bed and hopefully I could sleep it off and get a couple hours of sleep. Yeah right, you can't "sleep off" labor contractions. HAHA
I fell asleep for maybe 15 minutes and they were back, 10 minutes apart. At 530 I got on the phone and started trying to find a sub. 3rd try I was able to get one that I know real well. yay! I told her I don't know if it's the real thing or not but there is no way I will be working with contractions like this.
Robert left for work just like any other day. He thought I was exaggerating with my contractions. I told him I needed Madelyn to go to daycare because I couldn't take care of her like this. Of course he didn't believe me (nice huh?) so I said forget it, I'll call aunt Terri and ask her to take Madelyn to daycare. To his credit, i think he had some sort of a meeting that morning and didn't have time to take Madelyn. I don't remember, but oh well. Aunt Terri lives around the corner on Wolf Lake so she came over around 8 and got Madelyn to Penny's house.
ALL DAY LONG I labored at home with contractions 10 minutes apart. I think around 2ish they spread out again to 20 minutes or so. Still so painful when they came though. Shortly after that, they were back close together and I was down on all fours trying to breathe through them. I started writing down the times because I was having a hard time remembering each time a new one would come. I called Robert crying, and he said he would leave work and come home. This was about 330ish. They started getting closer and once they were 7 minutes apart I called him again and said "I think this is it, you better get Madelyn and get home NOW"
**1/2/11- WOW it's been an entire year since I worked on this post and I see that I never completed it. yikes! I will attempt to do so now...
Soooo...after that call to Robert, the contractions continued and were strong. I called Aunt Terri to come over and stay with Madelyn when they got home. She quickly came over and Robert and Maddy got home. Then, they slowed down and it had been several minutes (maybe 10 or so?) and I wasn't having the contractions. ugggh. I was so worried that it was false labor and I'd feel silly being sent back home. As I was sitting on the bar stool contemplating what the heck was going on, I suddenly had another and it was the worst yet. It was showtime, we were on our way to the hospital. All the way there, contractions were coming 3-4 minutes apart. It was awful pain and Robert was trying to get there as fast as he could. We pulled in, not knowing where to go, parking garage? drop off? what the heck? we hadn't gotten this far in finding out from Dr. Scott what we were to do. Luckily, at my last appt. I did ask what floor L&D was on. I hadn't known before since Madelyn was born in Charlotte. We opted for the parking garage, which I see now was silly. haha but did a couple of other silly things too...we went into registration, thinking that since I hadn't registered, I needed to do that first. They lady in there chuckled as she politely told me to go straight up to L & D since I was in labor. I didn't want a wheelchair but since every few minutes, I had to stop hold Robert and breathe (and cry) through a contraction, it was best.
We got up to the 4th floor (I think it's the 4th?) and they took me into the triage room or whatever they call it. She was getting my information and I had another contraction. Except this time, it wasn't very strong and it didn't take much to get through it. I commented on how "that wasn't so bad". The nurse turned to me and said "So they've been stronger than that? Because that wasn't very strong". (or something hinting to me that it wasn't a very strong contraction) I began doubting myself again and thinking we were surely going to be sent home after she checks me. She came over to check me and her words were "Honey, you're about a 6-7 and you're definitely in active labor". Phew! I was so relieved. Onto my next thought...I better not miss my opportunity for that epidural!!! Robert got up out of the wheelchair he was doing wheelies and spinning around in. He told me he was totally thought we'd be going back home. HA! I told him I was in pain and it had to be the real deal...Men! He'd think he was dying if he felt the pain of a contraction! haha
So anyway, they wheeled my bed to the delivery room where I preceded to beg for the anesthesiologist to get up here now! They kept telling me they had paged him but that they couldn't do anything until they got a whole bag of water in me through the IV. UGGH this took forever!!! Robert was getting nervous about me missing the epidural also. After much begging and pleading for that doctor to arrive, he finally did. My contractions were horrible, horrible, horrible! I was crying and yelling that I couldn't do this, there was no way! He laid me on my right side and prepped the area for the needle. He put it in and once he did that I remember crying and saying "it's not working, I still feel everything!" He responded with something about having to do 3 doses and give it some time to kick in? Then my next remark was "Oh no!!! now I have to poop!!" (hahah) The doctor looks at me and says "No honey, you're about to have a baby!" I couldn't turn over to my back because the contractions were so painful. I told the nurses they had to roll me because I couldn't physically do it and they did. I pushed just short of 10 minutes and out came my beautiful baby girl, Alyssa Michele! She was perfect and healthy:)
Let me just remind you that the epidural never kicked in since they never fully gave it to me and I felt everything. I never thought in a million years that I would be able to bare the pain of natural childbirth, but I did! It was amazing. If I ever do it again, I will still be asking for that epidural though. Women who don't are nuts!
Alyssa Michele Wheeler
November 24, 2010
7:36pm
7 lbs. 7 oz.
20.5 inches
Christmas Eve!
This year we hosted Christmas Eve at our house for the first time. It has always been tradition to spend the day/evening at my grandparents house on the lake but it has become too much for them (with only being home from their home in AZ for 2 weeks in December) and we were kindly asked to start the new tradition. I gladly accepted and had a great time planning and preparing! I am also happy to report it was a success and not nearly as stressful as I had thought it would be. It was a slightly smaller year with the Anchettas and my Aunt Carrie & Devin missing but we still 25 guests. On the menu was pork tenderloins, which I prepared and was told they were amazing by several (yay!) and many side dishes and desserts. I can't wait to host many more Christmas Eve's to come!:)
Noah loves playing with Alyssa. She loves the attention too!
My lovely mother and her lovely sisters- Aunt Sue & Aunt Sara
My sweet cousin Meredith got Madelyn a Rapunzel dress. She loves it!
This girl is developing a strong love for baby dolls just like her sister. I forget who got this for her but she loves to carry her around the house and give her hugs and kisses.
New toy from Grandma. It's not put together here but it has a little seat on it, like a desk. She loves this too.
You can't tell by this picture but she was pretty excited to get 3 new princess barbies! Ariel, Belle, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
Nic anticipating his next present!
Sydney, Morgan, Samantha
Logan, Aunt Sue, Papa Ron, Luke
Gigi (grandma Sharon) & my dad
Big smiles from the boys!
Sydney & Mere are playing Just Dance 3 and Alyssa kept standing in the middle, bouncing up and down, trying to dance. It was so stinking cute and everyone was cracking up!
My brother Matt and I.
Resolutions for the New Year
Okay, I am not a big "New Year's Resolution" type of person but this year I have made a couple. Of course, they are the typical cliche resolutions that so many vow to make but oh well.
First, I am getting back into shape. Last March I did this and stuck with it until about mid-July. Working out was so rewarding and I felt in the best shape of my life. no joke. I even ran my first 5K without any "running" training before!! (just my jazzercise dvds!) That felt awesome:) Then, summer came and I was home all day with the girls which made it harder to find the time to do some serious workouts. I did the walking thing when it wasn't too hot but it's just not the same as a good high intensity cardio and weights routine.
So...here I am again and super excited to start feeling stronger and toned:) Actually, I gained 5 lbs. during the month of December so that's 1st on the list to go. I ordered Zumba for the kinnect (xbox) and picked up a Jillian Michaels' circuit training dvd to do on the gigantic projection screen in my classroom. My plan is nothing unattainable, just simply 3 days a week. It worked for me last year, it should work again this year. I have a feeling I may be able to squeeze in more than 3 days each week since I realized how easy it is to just pop in a dvd before leaving school and picking up the girls. Last year, I was driving home, working out and then driving back in to pick up the girls. It was a pain but I did stick to do. This will save a lot of time so I am excited!
My second resolution is to start cooking healthier for my family. This might also be my subtle attempt to help my husband unknowingly, lost a few lbs. too. sneaky, I know! I am vowing to add more vegetables to our dishes or as side dishes like I used too. Pastas are great dishes to add in squash, zucchini without really noticing.
Third and last, I am getting back into couponing. I have gotten lazy and busy the past few months but I am going to do better and start saving money again. My stockpile has quickly dwindled and those things I ALWAYS had on hand are no longer:( Like pasta sauce...I had TONS and just last week I went to make plain ole spaghetti and what the heck? no spaghetti sauce...
So here I go again!
So there you have it, that's my plan!
First, I am getting back into shape. Last March I did this and stuck with it until about mid-July. Working out was so rewarding and I felt in the best shape of my life. no joke. I even ran my first 5K without any "running" training before!! (just my jazzercise dvds!) That felt awesome:) Then, summer came and I was home all day with the girls which made it harder to find the time to do some serious workouts. I did the walking thing when it wasn't too hot but it's just not the same as a good high intensity cardio and weights routine.
So...here I am again and super excited to start feeling stronger and toned:) Actually, I gained 5 lbs. during the month of December so that's 1st on the list to go. I ordered Zumba for the kinnect (xbox) and picked up a Jillian Michaels' circuit training dvd to do on the gigantic projection screen in my classroom. My plan is nothing unattainable, just simply 3 days a week. It worked for me last year, it should work again this year. I have a feeling I may be able to squeeze in more than 3 days each week since I realized how easy it is to just pop in a dvd before leaving school and picking up the girls. Last year, I was driving home, working out and then driving back in to pick up the girls. It was a pain but I did stick to do. This will save a lot of time so I am excited!
My second resolution is to start cooking healthier for my family. This might also be my subtle attempt to help my husband unknowingly, lost a few lbs. too. sneaky, I know! I am vowing to add more vegetables to our dishes or as side dishes like I used too. Pastas are great dishes to add in squash, zucchini without really noticing.
Third and last, I am getting back into couponing. I have gotten lazy and busy the past few months but I am going to do better and start saving money again. My stockpile has quickly dwindled and those things I ALWAYS had on hand are no longer:( Like pasta sauce...I had TONS and just last week I went to make plain ole spaghetti and what the heck? no spaghetti sauce...
So here I go again!
So there you have it, that's my plan!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thanksgiving Eve
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