Ryan's 3 months old!

Alright, so I have been bad on blogging for a long, long time! I am really sorry, but I don't know if anyone is even reading this, so if you are- thanks! :) I like to read other friends blogs. I feel like now a days, I barely talk to anyone in person- so it is nice to catch up with friends this way. 

        (old pictures of my baby!)

I don't really have any inspiration pieces I ABSOLUTELY need. Lately, I need things for Ryan! Like, I am really needing to get him a stationary play toy that he can sit in. That's my next purchase for him. I am sooo exited for summer to come, because Ry and I will have a lot of time to play! Work has been exhausting along with learning how to take care of a baby, and I am ready for a short break!

                                                         (new picture)

He's Finally Here!

I know it has been a LONG time since I have written, but let's face it- motherhood is HARD. Weird that I am now saying "mother" with me in the same sentence, but although it is tough, it is a lot of fun too. I thought I would maybe recount my labor and Ryan's birth in this post- along with a few of my favorite pictures!

So, labor wasn't as bad as I thought- once I got drugs. ;) Now, I am so amazed at the women who do this process naturally, but it is not for me. On Friday, January 20 our school had "Business Day." We do it once a 6 weeks, where the kids (who had good behavior) make a business and they sell to each other. It is really fun, but exhausting. I was already mad about being late (by 3 days) and so I decided to use the time at school to walk all day long. I wasn't feeling great, but hey- it was Friday and I could make it until the afternoon. I hadn't eaten all day except for 2 suckers that one of my girls were selling, and when I got home I was STARVING...so I ate 2 grilled cheese sandwiches and then laid on the couch and took a nap. Richard was working late, so at about 9 pm, I went to the bedroom and called it a night- still feeling a little sick to my stomach. 

Richard came home about midnight and I think I said hi, but rolled over and went back to sleep. I woke up about 1:00 am, feeling a bit funny- but thinking it might be Braxton Hicks (they trick you sometimes...) I figured if I could sleep, then it wasn't labor. I woke up later with the same pains, expecting it to be around 4am, but no- it was 1:10 am. Yes, I think this was LABOR! I woke Rich up and asked if he was ready to have a baby that day! He was so excited, and grabbed all of our bags. We also got up and dressed to go...I wasn't going to look like I just rolled out of bed at the hospital!

We got to L/D, and they put me in my own room- although I wasn't admitted. Then, about an hour later- PAIN started! I had BACK LABOR---they say it is the worse kind. I will testify to that. It hurt sooo bad. I think Richard thought I was being a baby. He kept telling me to breathe in through my nose, but my nose was stuffy- sometimes happens in labor, so I couldn't. He got mad and rolled over and went back to sleep on the tiny couch and so did I. We both were frustrated, and that was not the time to fight over something so dumb! Finally, the nurse let me have MORPHINE. Thank you Jesus! It still hurt, but I was feeling pretty loopy, so it evened itself out. At about 6 am, they finally admitted me and I got my epidural. I didn't even cry! It felt like a weird waterfall down my back. Once that was given to me- I felt like I did pretty well! I was pretty efficient- dilated 10 cm from 6 am until about 2 pm. No biggie. Then doctor came in and said it was time to start! :) I just did what they told me to, and at 3:32 pm, Ryan was born!!!! My doctor and I had been guessing his weight for a couple of weeks- we all said 6-7 1/2 lbs. Then they told us 8.8! WOW! I carried a HUGE baby for my size!

Hello world! It's me, Ryan!

So, we now wait...and wait....and wait....

This waiting game is starting to get me down. I am now 35 weeks, I know- not ready yet, but soon... This is the part of pregnancy where you don't look cute anymore- you have contractions all the time, you dream about 12 lb babies and labor, and you can't fit in your maternity clothes any longer. My bladder is squished, along with my lungs- and I waddle like a duck. I don't know if it is because I have been banned by my doctor to not go home until Ryan is born, or maybe the fact of missing Christmas in Austin is making me a little blue. Sure, I put up the tree- wrapped gifts, and planned some fun outings for us, but the fact of the matter is that I want to spend Christmas with my family and this year, I can't. 

Could this be pregnancy hormones again? Possibly. I pride myself on being jolly- I could be related to the guy in red (ya know), but with all of the stuff that needs to be taken care of (insurance, sub plans, maternity leave) I am a little overwhelmed and can't really talk about it to anyone. Ya, I have Richard and he is wonderful, but it's the little things that I have to take care of as the "mom" and he can't help with. 

Has anyone felt this right around the 35th week? Am I just being a baby? ;)

 

Baby shower in ATX

Week #31

It has been a very, very hectic two months. I have just been too tired to sit down and write, but I stay up some nights thinking about it. We are nearing the end of this journey. And my, what a journey it has been! From the 5 pregnancy tests that were taken in my wonderful little loft in downtown, to moving into a SUBURB...gasp, from the piles of clothes scattered across my velvet tufted couch that aren't even mine. Gone are the days of Neiman's window shopping, brunch and gabbing with friends, and late night movies with the husband. These have been replaced with baby bibs, parenting classes, and Boudreaux's Butt Paste (for the baby, not for me!) :)

Let's talk pregnancy. I don't want to be a downer, but I do not think that this was made for me. I know a lot of women LOVE being pregnant, and yes it is totally cool when you can feel him squirming and moving all around, but the fact that I am so uncomfortable and have been for a while is a little frustrating. BB (before baby) I was a healthy 114 lbs- not too big, not too small... I have little bones, so this weight works for me- remember, before you are like 114? That is absurd! I am like 5 ft nothing. Now, I weigh in at 143. Nothing of mine from my previous wardrobe fits, nothing looks cute on me, and maternity clothes are honestly too big. A size 2 in maternity is still comparable to a 2 regular, and I was a 0. Therefore, maternity clothes are too large. I miss heels, dresses, and honestly being able to see my feet. God Bless women that love this stage of life, but I just don't.

I am excited for Ryan to get here! I cannot wait! I love that Richard is so into this. He is so happy for him to come, writes in his baby book, and has been taking care of me without complaint. I am happy and LUCKY to have such an amazing husband!

So, although pregnancy is HARD WORK, I will be so happy to reap the benefits of all of my hard "labor" at the end! Now, the actual delivery part has not hit me yet, so maybe I will be writing again soon!

XOXO <3

What I am reading right now...

Thought I would give you a list of great books I am reading right now!

Happy Reading! XOXO!

A little bit of Luxury

I LOVE glass jars! Big ones, small ones, any size and I am in LOVE! Now, I know these have been really popular the last couple of season...hello apothecary jars for like $45.00 a piece! Well, I am here to tell you, do not go out and spend that kind of money! The BEST place to find these pretty glass jars are.... Tuesday Morning and Hobby Lobby! Hobby Lobby ALWAYS has their glass on sale, and I put my favorite candles inside the big jars that I fill with sand, rocks, or marbles. This all came about after my cat, Audrey burned her tail while walking across the counter. Rich and I could not figure out what was burning! Dinner? The dishwasher? No, it was the cat. She was fine, just a little charred. ;) In my bathroom, I hate stuff on the counters, but if they are in pretty jars, I seem to be okay with it. Here is a picture of my jars in my bathroom, some inspiration pictures, and some pretty things to put inside of the jars!

Burlap and Basil

I have these jars on my nightstand. They hold extra change. Find these on Ebay, CHEAP!

Eat Drink and Be Married Blog

 

Eat, Drink, and Be Married Blog

 

Jitterbug Weddings

Some of my favorite things to add to jars are bath salts, cotton balls and que-tips, and candles. The BEST candles I have found may be a little pricey for candles, but let me tell you, they are worth it. You will love them as much as I do, and honestly, they last a LONG time and smell up the entire house. I sometimes feel really ritzy, (although we all know on a teacher's salary, we are NOT) when I buy luxurious items like candles, soap, towels, and pillows. These little items make a HUGE difference when you go for the best of the best! Although, my secret is the best place to find candles- Francescas, Anthropologie (both sell Voluspa brand), LAFCO (best soap out there, and GREAT candles too!- Oprah's favorite things, and believe me- if Oprah loves it, you will too!), towels (believe it or not, the best my mom has found...SAMS. I know, I know!...PS. Only buy white towels. you can bleach them, and they will always match) and pillows- HOME GOODS AND MARSHALLS HAVE AMAZING PILLOWS! Sometimes, it is the littlest thing that makes your house feel like a million bucks!

Voluspa- find at Francesca's and Anthropologie

LAFCO soaps, Oprah's favorite things 2007

LOVE Tommy Bahama pillows- $10 at Homegoods