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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

39 weeks

So, I'm really not all that uncomfortable and that's crazy but I'm able to do a lot and sleep fairly well. My right leg will go numb off and on and I read its probably my sciatic nerve but I know I'm in for a whole new fatigue with a newborn ;) 
I am also really nervous about labor, delivery and recovery because with Owen it was tough and kinda traumatic. And there are still things on my list but for now I'm pretty much prepared. Kent gave me a blessing last night because I was feeling pains I would call shocks and was wondering if I was having contractions but I think it was just my pinched nerve. 
Owen has the funniest eyebrows when he scowls. Here he is saying he is not a grumpo! He just wants me to go fly his kite.
Luckily, he has an awesome dad who adores him and will spend the evening outside with him. Kent takes Owen to the park after his run and does push-ups and pull-ups on the monkey bars. Owen now shows me his push-up and his strong arms and says he is getting muscles for punching.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

38 Weeks and a Whole Family Update


 
Last week at 37 weeks, I had a day of very sore pelvic muscles and walking pulled the muscles even more and it was awful to feel so limited. Last week a lot happened at home too! Kent finished his study week at school, graduated and will study for his board exams at home and take them the first week of July. He has worked so hard and done so well. I am so proud of him!
The weekend brought my mom over to Boise to help me deep clean and get organized for baby. Owen loved showering Grandma with attention and love and didn't really need me as Grandma was so attentive. And my mom was the sole cleaner, we didn't do it together for motivation like I planned instead I had another bout of sore pelvic muscles and she made me nap and sit down. I did some shop work and organizing of the closets and baby bag. Her coming really kicked me in gear to finish all my preparations and plans for baby to come. thank you, Mom!

I just finished my mid-week appt and my strep B results came back positive which made me sad. My doctor asked if I had a desire to be induced at 39 weeks and I said no. I would much rather let my body do its thing and come gradual then having a forced labor. I'm not against pain killers like an epidural though ;)

So Kent and I celebrated our fifth anniversary at a new Japanese Steak House, without Owen. We were able to talk and focus on each other. It's been a crazy ride but I am so glad to have him by my side and to know that families are forever.

Kent was offered an on call job as a PT Tech at his last clinical place in Homedale! Still gives him time to study for the national exam and be around to help with the new baby!
Beccah had her baby girl, Lacie Jo, on Thursday!

Owen had an appointment on Monday with an allergy and asthma specialist. They placed 24 allergens on his back and scaled his reaction to each one. Of course the cashew one flaired up really bad. He also had a reaction to soy, grass, tumbleweed, cat and dog. No wheat, milk, egg, peanut, or mold allergies. The docotor actually told us to keep feeding him peanut butter to remind his body that it was not a threat (vs. the theory that a reaction to one nut will in time, cause a reaction to other nuts introduced). Owen loves his peanut butter sandwhiches and fresh peanuts! But when he goes to school we will just say he has a nut allergy to avoid confusion. Tree nut and insect allergies can escalate fast enough that she gave us a epi-pen and taught us how to use it. She also gave us a chamber to attach to his asthma inhaler for better intake of the albuterol. So yes, my child is in for an interesting summer outside!

My notes on the Babywise Sleep Routine

I struggled so much with Owen as a newborn and getting him to sleep in his own bed and still do to this day (although it is much, much better). I also was a complete novice at the daily care an infant needs. I had heard alot about Babywise before Owen and now and decided to read the book. I really like how it has given me knowledge and a confidence to proactively parent and create a great routine for this new baby. Below I have notes for myself and anyone else interested. This post is just a summary. Next I will post key points of the actual routine and how to achieve feeding/play/sleep.

Babywise's Parent-Directed Feeding is a flexible routine. A center point between hyperscheduling on one extreme and demand feeding on the other end. Babywise's parent-directed feeding brings the crucial element of parental assesment-an aquired confidence to think, evaluate and respond to cries, to real needs and not just react each moment with feeding.

HUNGER CUE + CLOCK + ASSESMENT = FEEDING TIME

Benefits:
1- stable night time sleep patterns lead to a baby's contentment, healthy growth and optimal day alertness and learning
2- a well-rested mom is able to proactively parent and feel confident in determining baby's needs
3-full regular daytime feedings promote breastfeeding success and healthy weight gain for the infant

The key to sucess lies in the order of events:
FEED/WAKE/SLEEP ROUTINE vs. the typical feed/sleep/wake