Oh goodness. I honestly have NO clue where to even begin this post other than to say our life has been anything but calm the past few months. My last post, showing the canvas photo project, was probably my last DIY project that I have had time to even think about!
My little man Aiden made his arrival on Christmas Eve. It was quite a funny story and quick easy labor believe it or not. God may have not blessed me with the easiest babies or pregnancies but man he blessed me with quick worry free labor and delivery with both of my boys. I sat there Christmas eve morning just hanging out on the couch after taking Jaxon to the doctor for a horrid cold that wouldn't let up. Jaxon was outside with Alan and I had been having pains all morning but attributed it to moving around our living room by myself.. yea nesting mode hits an OCD prego REALLY HARD. So I took a rest on the couch while watching pioneer woman. After about an hour I decided to actually time my "pains." See these "pains" were never really felt with Jaxon. I did not notice I was in labor the morning of our induction with him. When I arrived at the hospital they "informed" me I was in labor already... so this whole labor pains thing was new to me without the good ol' pitocin. well sure enough.. they were about 7 minutes apart. As I laid there by myself, my boys out and about and my mother had run to the grocery store to gather supplies for a Christmas day lunch, I worried about whether I was being "that prego" who always thought she was in labor only to be turned away. So I called the doctor anyway. They said to be safe to come on in, considering I was 39 weeks. I gathered up my things, grabbed Alan and called my mom to come on back so she could care for Jaxon. Alan and I reluctantly went to the hospital with bags in tow.
Now here is the funny part. As we were arriving the contractions were getting stronger. I knew they were real now. We go in the hospital, completely lost because we weren't able to go to the class that shows you where everything is. This hospital is a tiny catholic hospital and all desk attendants are old and volunteers. Well it must have been our lucky day because we walked and there sat two people on their first day as volunteers. My husband, always the jokster in stressful situations, asked them, "so where do we go to have a baby" in a very sarcastic tone. The people just stared blankly at us for a moment. They had no idea... So here was my thought process, while standing there contracting every 5 minutes or so, knowing good and well that another contraction was on its way in like 2 minutes, shouldn't the general floorplan of the hospital be one of the FIRST things covered when assigning volunteers to the WELCOME DESK!They quickly scrambled to find the number to someone who could help. Then they couldn't figure out how to use the phone (yet another DUH should have been on the "how to be a hospital volunteer" requirements)... Well by then the contraction was coming. My husband, poor thing, stood there calm as could be... I on the other hand, clearly on edge, walked right past them and proclaimed I could not wait around for them.. that we would have to walk and find it on our own.....
So up the elevator we went... turns out it was on the second floor right above where we were... literally to the left of the elevator. We waltzed in and declared I was in labor and quickly we were shown a room. Quick change into a gown and the nerves started as the nurse hooked me up to every wire in the room. Now here is the annoying part. As soon as the hooks everything up the contractions STOP.. She did a quick check, assured me I was only like 1-2 centimeters and that since the contractions stopped it was my choice whether to stay or to go. If I stayed they would just go ahead and induce, which I was scheduled for two days later anyway. Or I could go home and just wait it out. We thought about it long and hard and decided to go just on home. As she was unhooking me from everything and about to take off my wristbands, she decided to go ahead and check me one more time... and well.. I progressed to a 5 in less that 20 minutes... So we stayed.. the rest was a whirl wind. I arrived at the hospital at 2pm and Aiden was born at 5:32. Epidural didn't work as well as with Jaxon, so while I was in much more pain, it was easier to push.
After I felt amazing. No tearing, No stitches. No nothing. Crazy!
Well the next few weeks have been complete chaos. Nursing turned out to be A LOT more challenging than I was praying it would be. Two stints of mastitis, thrush, latching issues, engorgement, and finally a milk protein allergy. But we are finally doing well. Aiden is sleeping better and eating like a champ and while he is extremely attached to me, his little personality is coming out more and more.
Adapting to a family of 4 has been terribly difficult for me though. The mommy guilt of throwing Jaxon's entire world for a loop is a hard pill to swallow. The first month he did great. However, the realization that mommy can't simply jump when he needs something is very difficult for him to understand and the acting out has been in full force lately.
I am continuing to work at it daily and I am SO thankful for preschool those precious three mornings a week.
This blog is obviously lower on my priority list but I have SO many things I cannot wait to write about.
My recipes are forming out of necessity for QUICK fix meals with the use of only one hand (baby in the other).. and ones that Jaxon can help with.
My DIY things are definitely on hold until I can get these two on the same consistent nap schedule (and some time to myself as well as sleep)
As far as organizational tips. Oh I cannot wait to get this one started. I honestly feel the key to my sanity is organization and function. With this move, which was SO unorganized and wild, I have come to appreciate my zany need for things to be neat and tidy, and now my husband understands even more so why I feel that way. My kiddos will one day, but for now it is a battle daily to keep the house even remotely mess free! Simplicity, I am learning that art!
So please bare with me as I learn to manage my time, energy and priorities!
