Something NEW Everyday

JCH is out of town and little man and I are having some serious “mommy and me” time.  No reason to cook or clean and no additional “wife duties” on top of my “mom duties”.  Yes, I am letting my “inner slob” out!  I’m reading “Brain Rules for Baby:  How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five” by John Medina and it is a fabulous read.  A rather interesting fact that I came across in this book:

“…having a husband around actually creates an extra seven hours of work per week for women.  A wife saves her husband about an hour of housework per week.”

I think our household might actually be double that!  How did I not realize that having a husband is actually very similar to having a child?  I guess you must first be a parent to make the connection.  It’s not just me either.  I have several friends who are new to parenthood and the number one complaint is “house-work load”.  I’m not bashing men.  It’s a fact.  They apparently do not see messes.  Sure they can take the initiative at work, when driving, in the sack, but they absolutely cannot, when it comes to what needs to be done around the house.  So the big question is, how can a lady get some help around here?  I think this is where the “nagging wife” comes into play…and I do not want to be that.  Do you more experienced “homemakers” have any suggestions for us rookies?

Anyway, onto a much more exciting topic…Henry!  Mommy took a much needed weekend trip to NYC to visit one of my best friends.  Saturday morning before I left, Henry started crawling!  It was kind of a pirate/peg-leg crawl…but he was mobile!  When daddy left for work he waved “bye-bye” and Henry waved back!  Last week we had realized we hadn’t been teaching him to wave so I told JCH to start waving to Henry when he left for work.  Sure enough one week later, little man had mastered the idea.  Smart little cookie!  He also started giving kisses, open-mouthed slobber ones, but might be the best kiss I’ve ever had!!!  We’re not done there.  He is sitting up from a laying position, pulling up on furniture, walking around the house while mommy holds onto his hands, saying mama and dada and even calls his bottle, “bob”.  He plays “gotcha” with me, daddy and “brother” (yes we call Teddy-the dog his brother).  He is loving solid foods and anytime I’m munching on anything I have to give him a little taste.  Such a curious little booger.  He loves pickles.  Today he chased me around the house (crawling), while I vacuumed.  He loves the vacuum!  Meanwhile his “brother” hides perched on the couch.  Henry wants to climb on everything!  He pulls up on the tables, couches, his toys, the dog, the entertainment center.  He loves to play in the dirt outside.   The other night I gave him a bath and he had dirt under his finger nails…so gross and such a boy!  He is a little adrenaline junky!!! He LOVES to bounce, be thrown in the air, swooshed upside down, anything that gives him a rush he revels and finds so much delight in, and he’s been that way from birth.  I specifically remember having to tell daddy to be gentle with him when he was a newborn, and then watching Henry love it so much I couldn’t tell him to stop. Oh boy!

Well, I’m going to take advantage of Henrys nap time by watching my DVR’d episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and munching on some ice cream.  “Single girl” behavior while daddy is away! YAY!

Time to get serious

Hopefully you weren't expecting this post to be "serious". What I mean is that I need to get serious about getting back in the game. I have been a mess. Still not quite washing my hair everyday, pretty much wear sweats or yoga pants everyday, only get out of the house once or twice a week, and heavens...put on make up or curl my hair? Probably once every other week. Those are just the silly and easy transitions that I need to make...there's more...

Yesterday I had a much needed facial. It was amazing! I mentioned that my skin is really rough and porous "post baby" and she said that most women have to change up their "daily skincare regimen" in their 30's (hold up, I'm only 29). Sadly my "daily skincare regimen" is washing my face in the shower in the morning, and splashing cold water on at night. Yep we've got work to do. Starting my new (recommended) regimen today.

Another daily regimen I need to get on is exercise! I've lost the tummy, but weight is still lingering that I would like to shed...mostly in my thighs and butt, but even in my face and arms! GROSS! I'm very interested in enrolling in a boot camp to get back to my "ideal body" and then can go back to my "half ass" work outs (which usually consists of wii fit, riding my bike, running with the dog, or even on the treadmill- gasp) for my routine maintenance! Got to keep this motor running! Any suggestions? (and don't say p90x or whatever that other one is) Maybe crossfit?

Another laughable situation is with my breasts (yes I said breasts)! They never really got that big when I was pregnant or breastfeeding but for some reason, now that I'm not breastfeeding, my bras don't really fit (guess the boobs shrunk). Normally you would just jump down a size, but let's get real, VS doesn't make a bra smaller then what I used to wear. So I'm on the hunt and ready to invest in those little demi bras (that look like a training bra) but made with lace to "sex it up". If you are also a member of the "itty bitty titty committee" maybe you can share what your favorite bra is?

Lastly, gonna get out of the house more! I've enrolled Henry in a weekly "mommy and me" music class at Kindermusik! Pretty excited to see how he interacts with the other kids, and to potentially meet some "stay at home mommy's". I'm also going to be more committed to my Wednesday night hip-hop class...and see where this boot camp/cross fit takes me!

It's about time a fire got lit under my butt! I'm not sure what it was, but I'm feeling motivated and ready to start making some changes!!!

On another note, you have got to see this video of Henry, using his "mesh feeder" with avocado!

Third times a charm

 

Ready or not...here he comes! Baby Henry is on his way! I've only cried 3 or 4 times from excitement and I'm anticipating a few more times before the day is over! Hooked up and the doctor is going to break my water shortly... (this was my first attempt to announce the birth of Henry)

Baby Henry is here!!!! As you may have guessed, Henry is here!! He is the coolest little dude and I’m obsessed (as you may have also guessed). Where to start?

L&D-I went into labor after a quick 10 minute check up where the doctor “cleared my membranes”…don’t ask me what that means exactly because I’m still not quite sure. All that I know is that when I left I immediately felt an abnormal amount of fluid (sorry tmi) in my pants, called the doctor, stopped back into the doctor’s office and was given instructions to go to the hospital. HE’S COMING!!! I checked into the hospital at 2pm, they put me on petosin and I labored for 4 hours (no pain yet), the doctor broke my water at 6pm (and instantly the contractions kicked up to HOLY HELL OUCH). After they broke my water they left us alone for about an hour. LONGEST HOUR OF MY LIFE!! Apparently my body was contracting hard on it’s on, AND they left the petosin ON…so I was having VERY INTENSE contractions VERY CLOSE together…just as one contraction ended another would be starting…not normal. When the nurse came back in she noticed how frequently I was contracting and turned the petosin off…at which point I requested the anesthesiologist for my epidural. It was another hour and a half until he was in my room, had me prepped, and the “good stuff” turned on and working…sooo longest two and a half hours of my life!

After that it was smooth sailing! JCH ran home to let out Teddy (our dog), meet the UPS driver to get our new camera, and grab a few things that I had forgotten. I played on facebook and pinterest and even started updating my blog (sadly never finished). The nurse came in and checked me at 10pm and said I was ready to go (dilated 10cm, fully effaced, -3 position, etc.), when the doctor came in-she said she’d like to give me another hour (well dang...all that excitement and another hour wait). Around 11ish the doctor came back in and started getting us all prepped to push. They went over “leg holding” instructions with JCH and taught me how I would breathe and push through each contraction. Shortly after 11:30pm I started pushing. It was nothing how I had imagined. Well I always imagined you just push and push and push until the baby comes out…but you actually get nice little breaks in between pushing. As soon as you start contracting you take a deep breath and push (and don’t breathe) for as long as you can, then do that again until the contraction has let up. I did this for probably 8-10 contractions and that lasted about 20-30 minutes. Henry John Hoffman made his entry into the world at 11:59pm…he was determined to come THAT day. At one point I got nervous because the doctor said she was noticing his head was protruding back after each push. She told me that if that kept happening, than they would have to do something “quick and drastic” (I thought that meant a c-section, JCH said it meant they were going to stand on a stool and push really hard on my stomach…thank god that didn’t happen). Both JCH and I were amazed at how smoothly everything ended up going. JCH kept saying that he always imagined pure chaos, lots of equipment and lights and people running around frantically…but it was nothing like that. The doctor sat calmly at the edge of my bed while she talked us quietly through it. There was only one nurse assisting while the baby nurse waited quietly in the corner for Henry’s arrival. It really was the best possible birthing experience ever. I always said that because my pregnancy was a little bumpy I deserved a good labor...or perhaps a perfect baby...well I got them both!!

No family made it for the actual delivery. My sister tried, but that afternoon her flight out of North Dakota was so delayed that there was NO WAY she was going to make it in time so she made the executive decision to wait and come in a week after my in-laws (who were already en route via car from Texas) had left (that way she could have Henry and me to herself)...my wonderful inlaws were there the next day and such amazing help in that first week! (this was my second-unpublished-attempt at announcing Henry's birth)

 

6 months later...Yep, he's here alright! Evidence of it is the enormous smile that never leaves my face, the double bags under my eyes, and the fact that I am no longer working in marketing at the credit union. Two things I've found to be very true..."no matter what anyone says they can never truly prepare you for the sleep deprivation in the first few weeks", and understatement of the century, "the most rewarding and amazing feeling to be a parent"...THE BEST!!!! I am honestly loving every moment (even the sleep deprivation which comes on and off with sickness and travel).
(yay...third and final attempt at the announcement...and I've finally published for all of my readers!)

I've decided I'm going to keep writing. It's been a roller coaster and lets be honest, I've got a lot to say...and amazing things to share! I love being able to look back on our "Getting Knocked Up" journey and now we're starting a new chapter, with that I could come up with countless titles..."Where Did This Baby Come From?", "What Have We Got Ourselves Into?", and in all seriousness, "You are My Sunshine"...because I've truly never felt so alive and life has never seemed so bright!

So, now to start you off with a few favorite memories of mine from the past 6 months...

• Henry sleeping on my chest (still one of my favorite things)
• Henry enjoying bath time so much that he would kick all of the water out of the tub
• JCH putting a diaper on Henry backwards (seems to me that would be much more difficult)
• JCH puking all over the nursery while changing his first poopy diaper (this man can gut a fish and dress a deer, but poopy diapers gross him out...hmmmm)
• Henry playing and interacting with his friends (I've got 3 girlfriends who had babies within the same month, 2 within the same week, as Henry was born)
• When we gave Henry his first bath he was on the kitchen counter and screaming and Teddy (our dog) was frantically running around the house trying to find him ("must find/help little brother")
• Henry's first laugh, while he was sleeping

SO MUCH MORE... but you get the point!

Without further ado...Henry John Hoffman



PICTURE FRIDAY

Happy Friday the 13th (the only day I'm not praying that Henry comes-which means he probably will)! :)
Without further delay...here are the long promised maternity pictures that we had taken to capture our GROWING FAMILY! Have a great weekend! xoxo 

 

Images Courtesy of: Kristi Michelle Photography

Baby magic and many excitements

Remember my cliffhanger from last week where I said I was super excited about some NEWS and I couldn’t wait to share?  Totally worth the wait (or at least I think so).  Well, today we are in a sharing mood…and I am pleased to announce that baby Henry is going to have a new and younger cousin.  Yep, my sister is PREGNANT too!!  The same sister who traveled down here all the way from Minot, North Dakota to throw me a baby shower a few weeks ago (yep looks like I will be flying to her destination soon enough to repay her for that one) and the same sister who is planning to attempt to get here for the birth of my son.  I say “attempt” because (let me repeat myself) she lives in MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA…and it’s no easy feat getting anywhere when you live in the middle of nowhere.  The last trip took a FULL DAY with 3 layovers…and that was with a previously purchased plane ticket…who knows what’s going to happen when I go into labor.  HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to my sister, her husband, and her beautiful 8 year old daughter!  I can’t wait to meet my new nephew/niece!

Let me just say that it REALLY excites me that she is having another baby.  Both her and my older sister had little girls (8 years ago) within a few months of each other and they are by far the most precious cousins I have ever seen.  They are like sisters only have two very different and very unique sets of parents who make them so extraordinarily wonderful …they are my magic.  I know it’s not fair, but I am hoping that this new cousin is a BOY…Henry needs his magic too.  I asked my sister to send me a picture of her “baby bump”.  She is MUCH smaller than I was at 12 weeks…but she also reminded me that she is only 11 weeks and 5 days…love you sister.  :P

Let me also say how VERY EXCITED I am that my sister is “going to do her best to get out here for the birth of Henry”!  As I have probably already said a million times my 3 sisters and I are like 1 soul.  We are so close and can say and do anything in front of each other (makes for great times and obsessiveness with each other).  They are my best friends.  I’ve read so many different blogs, books, etc. that caution “moms to be” on situation that arise at the hospital and I couldn’t think of a better person to be there for me, JCH and Henry than one of my sisters (or my mother of course).

We finally settled on a pediatrician! On Monday we got squeezed in with a pediatrician that we have REALLY wanted to meet, at a practice that has come highly recommended by several friends.  So that’s done and with the best outcome possible!  YES!  We also settled on our decision NOT to bank Henry’s cord blood.  We went back and forth on this issue until it was almost a “paper-rocks-scissors” decision…which may make some of yall cringe…but we honestly COULD NOT argue very strongly either way.  I feel good about our decision.  Another check mark off the list.  This past weekend we also cleaned out the fridge, organized our closets, did every bit of laundry and cleaning in the house, went on several dates to breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even went out to the movies…we are ready!!! COME ON BABY HENRY!!!!  What are we forgetting?  If you have a baby or children, what would you have “made sure you did” before your little bundle of joy came (dont say "take a long beach vacation" because I'm pretty sure we cant check that off the list before then)?

I’ve got MORE maternity pictures to share.  I PROMISE I will get those uploaded SOON.  The CD reader on my laptop is broken and my time at work is very precious…so I haven’t had a personal minute to upload the pics.  SOON I PROMISE! Hopefully I can get them uploaded tomorrow!!!  Stay tuned- any day now for Baby Henry's arrival!!!!

3 more weeks...or maybe tomorrow!

Every day I hear on numerous occasions, “when is your due date?”…and every day I answer, “3 more weeks, or maybe tomorrow”.  Since I hit 37 weeks on Saturday I spent all weekend joking that I wished we would get a tropical storm or maybe just a crazy thunderstorm that would cause the barometric pressure to drop and theory goes…”induce an early labor”.  Last night we had a loud and dramatic thunderstorm…and boy was I eating my words.  I’m not ready for Henry to come early!  I’ve got 3 more weeks, and I need AT LEAST 1 more!  Yes I'm a HUGE procrastinator.

I’m nearly ready for the “nursery reveal”.  I act like it’s such a big deal only because JCH convinced me that it would be “way more special” if I sewed the bedding for the nursery rather than allowing my expert seamstress mother to do it, or maybe just splurging a little on the “Land of Nod” stuff that I had my eye on.  Needless to say, learning a new (and not so easy hobby) while 7-9 months pregnant may not have been the best idea.  I have spent countless nights ironing fabric while my back is killing me to stand up, and have cried out of frustration on multiple accounts.  Just a few nights ago JCH had to take over the “changing pad cover” project that I was about to throw in the trash…I had given up and he has a strange knack for “being good at everything he tries”.  So what have I successfully completed?  Fitted sheets, the crib skirt, curtains, and the changing pad cover (kind of).  I still need to finish the bumper (which I am seriously so afraid of that I keep putting off)…and my mother is using all of the scrap fabric from my projects to make a quilt that will perfectly match.  SO EXCITED!

I also need one more week to get my “hospital bag” packed.  Call me a procrastinator but I waited until last week to run through a few checklists of what to bring…and came across several things that I needed to pick up.  I honestly HATE shopping now…by the time I get to the front door of the store I am exhausted and just want to turn around and go home.  I get so frustrated by inconsiderate people who lack empathy or compassion for my difficulty in getting around (which ends up putting me in a very cross mood). SO I need this last week to ensure that I get all of my ONLINE SHOPPING orders in, washed, and packed.  I still need my itunes playlist (any suggestions?), not completely settled on little mans “going home” outfit, and I need a few options for mommy for when the photographer comes to snap a few pics of the happy new family.

I also need a little more time to figure out this “pediatrician thing”.  YES. I. KNOW.  It’s ridiculous that we don’t have a pediatrician chosen.  I’ve got some GREAT recommendations for practices in our “burb” area of Charleston, I just need to narrow down my selection and take a few “meet and greet” interviews to make my decision.  Going to try to do that this week.

I’m also calling this last week my “pampering week”.  I’ve scheduled a hair appointment, prenatal massage, and pedicure.  I’ve got to get this stuff in while I still can, right?.  What else should I do this week that I may be forgetting?  I’m debating the “brazillian wax”…yes, no? 

Lastly, I need 1 more week to wrap things up at work.  I’m sure they can get by without me…but there are just a few important and incomplete tasks that I just feel compelled to complete. 

A few "medical" updates (sorry it’s been almost a month):

Two weeks ago my doctor’s appointment did not go so well.  My blood pressure was “high”, my heart rate was so high they have officially diagnosed me with tachycardia, and my hemoglobin levels were on the low side (my body is not keeping up with the nutritional demands of pregnancy).  I left the doctor’s office with a lot on my mind.  How was I going to manage the demands of launching a new name and brand at work within the next two weeks, and lower my blood pressure simultaneously?  How was I going to become a “better eater”?  My indigestion has been so horrible that medicine is just not doing the trick- pretty much the only thing that works is by making adjustments to my diet…and sometimes that means that I don’t end up eating dinner because my stomach is so full (yep not a "good eater").  It also means absolutely no spicy food, no fried food, no red meat…and of course none of the other easy to eat things like “deli meat”…so finding something to eat (with nutritional value) ends up being such a chore.  I’ve found Carnation Breakfast Essentials to be surprisingly wonderful…but nothing else (any suggestions?).  I’ve also found that carbonated water (La Croix) helps with the indigestion…it makes me burp, and that makes me feel better (temporarily anyway-lol).  I went BACK to the doctor last Tuesday (impromptu because my vagina had swollen so bad it felt like I had “man parts” down there) and got a slightly better report card (ps the vagina is back to normal and the doctor said it was “just one of those strange things caused by pregnancy”).  My heart rate was still high, my blood pressure was “better”, and my hemoglobin had gone up.  My doctor was still very adamant about rest, relaxation and putting my feet up.  My boss is also concerned and therefore has suggested that I work half-days from home.  I’ve really tried to get out of work to go home and put my feet up and work from my laptop…but I’ve had a REALLY HARD TIME finding a stopping point before 4pm.  Maybe this week I will try harder.

Okay, I promise to POST pictures next time.  Baby shower pictures, maternity pictures, and “before and after” pictures….yay so many exciting things to share…I’ve been so neglectful (busy).  I also have a VERY BIG SECRET to share…but not sure when I get to…so stay tuned for that.

The Joys of Pregnancy

I just went to the restroom at work, and giggled to myself as I had déjà vu of another restroom incident earlier this week at the doctor’s office.  Let me just say that I haven’t had a successful “pee in a cup” in several weeks.  I’m sure you have all had to give a urine sample at least once in your life and it’s not the easiest thing- take your pants to your ankles, spread ‘em wide, peek between your legs and hope for a steady stream.  Well when you’ve got a watermelon sized obstacle obstructing your view (and reach) it’s nearly impossible.  Yes, I’ve peed all over my hands and the cup at least the past 3 times.  Laughed at myself just now…and then…not very funny though.

I cried to myself two nights ago…well cried myself to sleep anyway.  I usually get a cycled sleep schedule- 1 night I don’t sleep, and then the next night I’m so tired I sleep pretty good, and then back to no sleep the following night.  Two nights ago was my “sleep pretty good” night…and when I laid down for bed I just couldn’t make it happen.  If I laid on my side I was shoving food/acid, etc up my esophagus, if I propped myself up laying on my back HENRY was squishing my lungs/diaphragm and I couldn’t breathe…plus I was having a strange pain in my side (felt like kidney) that was altogether keeping my mind occupied and not allowing me to get comfortable.  JCH is in Philly for work, so I let it out…I cried…and when I was done I had forgotten about my side pain and was so exhausted that I passed out.  One way to do it anyway.

Sunday morning I woke up early and ran to BRU to exchange our car seat adaptor and grabbed a breakfast sandwich from the coffee shop down the street.  When I arrived at BRU I was a complete mess. For some reason my belly attracts food/beverages like a magnet.  I have seriously NEVER been such a messy disaster.  I was literally covered in melted cheese…belly…thighs…basically everywhere.  I was like a toddler when you pull them out of a highchair…every crevasse covered in food. Wishing now I would have taken a picture so that you could see how ridiculous it really was. 

Feeling a lot of PUBIC pressure lately.  I was talking to a close friend (who is also pregnant) and her husband bought her an exercise ball to sit and roll around on that she swears REALLY helps with the pelvic/pubic pain/pressure.  Her words exactly…”you just have to get as vulgar as possible with that ball for it to really help”.  Made me laugh…but yes we will try ANYTHING to get a little more comfort.

I wrote this post in two sittings.  The first part I was very cranky and uncomfortable and ready to go all “3^rd trimester” on somebody.  This second part is reflection after watching one of my favorite Hollywood couples on TV this weekend- Giuliana and Bill (Rancic).  Long story short- they have gone through IVF several times with no success.  They went to a specialist for their latest attempt and were required to have several tests done- one of which, being a mammogram.  The mammogram revealed that Guiliana had breast cancer.  Today, after undergoing surgeries, many failed IVF attempts, and being a cancer survivor, they are expecting (using a surrogate).  To see their joy and many raw emotions...it brought back the many emotions I have experienced throughout this process…and I felt shameful for having the audacity of being cranky and ungrateful.  It was nice to be reminded of how LUCKY we are.   When I first titled this post I was being facetious and cynical, but after some reflection I truly am serious when I title this post “The Joys of Pregnancy”.  There really are so many miracles going on in my body and in our lives and I really am truly joyful.

The family (JCH, Teddy-our dog, Henry, and myself) took maternity pictures this weekend.  Our photographer- a friend and coworker took these pictures and posted them as “teasers” on her facebook page (click here to see her fb page).  I thought I would share them…more to come!