Stay at Home Daddy

Well life has changed significantly in the last week but all for the better. My husband is no longer working for the company he gave 5 years of hard work and long hours to. We will adjusting to beooming a one family income. It will take some sacrifices on our end but it will be worth it! My husband worked many longs day (usually 12 hours) and most weekends. He really missed out on being around and enjoying family time. He often came home and the baby was already in bed and usually saw him in the mornings before work/daycare. Now he is taking on the role of staying at home with Niam. I think him not working is truly a blessing-he is happy again and it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from his shoulders. When a company changes management you have no idea how much that can affect a person until you are living it. My husband's new boss literally sucked the life out of him. He was 100% all about his company and promoted it 24/7. He really was a poster child for that company and a lot of his coworkers, family and friends saw it. In May 2013 his new boss came on and damn she was out to get him for sure. He had other employees tell him to 'watch his back' and that she was targeting him. In the state of North Carolina you can be fired/terminated/let go for no reason and so on October 7th when my husband went into work he was told he was done. When he called to tell me the news I was shocked. Truth be told there went 2/3's of our income but as the day went on I felt good about it. By the time I was home I could tell he was feeling even better about it and could actually breathe again, laugh and relax. So now he will focus on school and staying home with the baby and I will being the 'working momma'. It will work because it has to work. I look forward to my daily text messages, pics, and Face Time with him and the baby. I love that he is getting to be home with Niam during a time when all he wants to do is play and explore. This time with him is good for the both of them. Eventually he will go back to work and when he does I pray it is for a company and a boss that respects him as much as he respects them.

You Have No Idea.

You really think you know what parenting is all about until you have that baby.  People can tell you how much 'work' it is or that you need to do this or need to do that but really all that advice is for the birds.  It takes time but you find what works for you.  There are so many things I said I would never do but did i.e. co-sleep and my God during that four month sleep regression-we co-slept or we did not sleep at all.

Funny how you go into parenting thinking one thing is right or better.  Then you become a parent and realize every decision you make is right for you and your child but may not be right for someone else and their child.  I have had a lot of mom's I know pass judgement on those who chose formula over breastfeeding and I have to say while I was and still am successfully breastfeeding some women just cannot do it.  During the first month I really wanted to quit.  His latch was horrible and to be honest-it really effin hurt.  I would cringe knowing it was almost time for him to eat and cry in pain while he ate.  It eventually got better but some days I really was not sure if I could do it.

The lack of sleep was the worst but somehow as parents we can push through it and function on little to no sleep at all.  Then just when a routine is established and you are getting say 4 or 5 solid hours of sleep-a growth spurt or wonder week happens and damnit there goes that sleep you were so looking forward too.  Being a parent is hard work, takes a lot out of you and can be stressful but I am lucky that my hubby is very involved and loves to help out.

I really have no idea how my mom did it on her own with 4 girls.  God bless her for it.

“Your children are not your children.
They are sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For thir souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the make upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness.
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He also loves the bow that is stable.”
― Kahlil Gibran

Long Overdue...

Well here I am a mother to a 7.5 month old little boy whom we named Niam Domenico. When I started this pregnancy blog I had every intention of keeping up with it after he was born and then boom he came and the blog went to crap! But I am happy to say that God has given us a beautiful little boy who has truly completed us. Better late than never but here is my birth story.

2/6/13 8 am-OB appointment-barely 1 cm (if that) 50%. I was told you are not going into labor anytime soon and will probably go after your due date which was originally 2/18 but then I was told I am measuring a week behind so a due date of 2/25. I am given the nurse after hours number just in case and told if I feel contractions or my water breaks to call. 230 pm-I went home that day sick from work and took 2/7/13 as a sick day as well due to a horrible headache.

2/8/13 Feeling fine again so back to work I went.

2/9/13 9 am-I am sitting on my couch and feel a trickle of water. Think it is my water breaking but I'm not 100% sure-I have had no contractions at all. I stand up and it's still trickling. I go upstairs to tell DH and I'm still trickling as I tell him. I start panicking that we are not ready. DH brings me back to reality and tells me we are going to have to be; so at that point we decide to call the doctor. She tells me it is definitely my water breaking and to eat some breakfast/relax then head over to the hospital later on. I ended up doing laundry/loading the dishwasher/etc and made it over there at 12:30-1. 1 pm-admitted since my water broke and I am told this baby is coming in the next day or so no matter what. 3 pm-1 cm/50% still... 4 pm-I am given meds to soften my cervix. 730 pm-barely making progress so they tell me I can eat some dinner. 810 pm-second dose of meds to soften cervix. 9 pm-period like cramping.

2/10/13 1230 am-given meds to help with sleep/pain-they do not work. 4 am-3 cm/80%. 445 am-epidural time-literally makes me legs feel like sand. 9 am-5 cm/80%-at this point I am given pitocin. 11 am-7cm. 130pm-8 cm. 3 pm-9 cm. 415 pm-10 cm. But cervix is still not thinned out enough. We wait for it to thin a little more. I am ready to meet this baby and this waiting is torture. 6 pm-finally given the go ahead to start pushing. The epidural was so strong I could not feel anything. I had to have the nurses tell me when the contractions were coming to try to push. I pushed on their command for 1.5 hours. Finally my epidural was lowered and I was able to feel some contractions but only when laying on my right side. Pushed another 40 minutes on my side. Apparently he was stuck in my pelvic area and could not fit passed my bone. My mom had the same issue and ended up with all c-sections. OB decided for my health (at this point I had a slight fever) that a c-section was the safest option. I cried from stress, being tired, from wanting to experience skin to skin with him and just feeling like I could have done more. DH gives me a pep talk which I needed because it has been a long 24 plus hours. 10 pm-DH was given his scrubs to put on and at same point the epidural was turned back on. I was wheeled off and prepped for the c-section. I do not feel tugging or pressure like they say I may and I wait patiently for him to come out and hear that cry!! Finally I hear it and I cried like a baby. Our little guy was born 2/10/13 @ 10:21 pm weighing 7 lbs/9 oz and at 20 1/4 inches long. He is the best thing that has happened to us and we am enjoying every minute with him!!

Thankful.

I have to say how thankful I am that little man has gone easy on me this entire pregnancy.  Other than morning sickness until week 14 I have been very lucky.  Between near perfect blood pressure at every OB appointment, negative for GB and Group B strep, a healthy weight gain (24 lbs so far at 38 weeks), no swelling, etc I have had it pretty easy.  I hate to hear how much stress other mamas-to-be are under between having GD, how the baby is laying (on mama's ribs, against a nerve etc) and how some have morning sickness the entire 40 weeks.  I really am lucky. 

Yes I have heart burn (like a bitch might I add) and sleep is a luxury now a days but I am still working FT and will continue to do so.  I can still walk my dog (I get a little winded but nothing crazy).  I take the steps at work and walk around campus just fine.  I have minor back aches.  My Braxton Hicks are not bothersome at all.  He has been head down since 27 weeks and has not budged.  I can still somewhat put my shoes and socks on-but hubby does help me take them off.  ;)  I really have had an amazing pregnancy.

'I'm trying to be in the moment and really enjoy my pregnancy.  I feel really lucky'.-JEWEL

 

Are you STILL Pregnant???

If I hear that question one more time I may hurt someone.  I get asked it atleast twice a day at work.  Then again when I see my neighbors while walking my dog and even today at the doctor's office.  Yes I am still pregnant. 



I am only at 37 weeks 2 days.  How early would you like me to go into labor???  Can I atleast go my 40 weeks or is that not okay with you?  Once I make it to 40 weeks you can ask me 5 times a day if I am STILL pregnant but until then please STFU.  Ugh. 

It is super annoying when someone you do not even know asks you that question and comments on how 'you look like you're going to pop'.  Um thank you for your ass backward compliment??  I cannot imagine how that is a nice thing to say to someone; none the less someone who is pregnant.  PS also someone that you do not know or have never met before.  I suppose responding by punching you in the face or kicking you in your balls is not appropriate? 

Does me being pregnant allow other individuals to be downright rude?  I would think since we (i.e those growing a life inside of us) tend to be more emotional and sensitive that others would be more respectful but that is not the case.  Yes Captain Obvious:  I am still pregnant.  Ask me again and I may put my foot up your ass!!!!



Vent Over.

36 Weeks Pregnant.

Well it is officially the final month of my pregnancy!!  I cannot believe how quickly it has come and gone.  I am sure the next few weeks will drag but all in all I have been very lucky with this pregnancy.  Little man is definitely still a night owl and loves to wake me up at 3 am with some kicks and jabs.  I guess he is letting me know that he is officially in charge and prepping me for his arrival.

I am now to the point where I am wondering what will he look like?  What will his personality be like?  Will he have daddy's complexion?  Mommy's lips?  Hopefully daddy's eyes!!  How much will he weigh?  Then other questions come to mind like how long will the labor be?  And honestly how painful will labor be?? 

We will definitely be ready and excited to meet him, hold him, kiss him, love him!! 


January 23rd Doctors Appointment
Baby Boy's Stats
Heart Rate:  140

Momma's Weight Gain +20 lbs.
0 dialated/0 effaced.  :/
Cravings:
Cereal
MILK
Water
Blueberries.

33 Weeks Pregnant Maternity Shoot.

Our Maternity Shoot.  
We chose the beautiful NoDa area of Charlotte for our pics.  It was a chilly day but we made the best of it. 

Thanks to Kelly Dyer for the awesome pictures!! 
Check her out at site: www.1210photography.com



January 2nd Doctors Appointment.
Baby Boy's Heart Rate: 142

Momma's Weight Gain +18 lbs.

Cravings:
Water
SAS Triple Chocolate Cupcakes
Shrimp

Opinions are like Assholes...Everyone has One.

 

Oh the joys of being pregnant and everyone thinking they know what is best for you!  I have found that everyone has something to say even if you did not ask for an opinion or want to hear it.  

Oh my lord...it is the most annoying thing ever.  I have been told by many that you will get a lot of 'advice'-wanted and unwanted from friends, family members, coworkers and even strangers.  Well those people were completely right.  

Here are some of the most memorable things I have heard from the "experts".<--Insert sarcasm here.  And the things I would love to say back but my mama taught me manners.

You should not drink or eat(Caffeine, fish, cheese, junk food, etc.)  Thank you Doctor Oz.

You can't do that while pregnant(Carry x,y,z, walk for long periods of time, clean, etc.)  So I should just sit on my ass and do nothing??
Are you planning on breastfeeding?  It really is best for baby.  In your opinion it may be but to me it is a personal decision.
Are you sure you're only having ONE baby?  Um eff you.
Get all the sleep you can now because you will not get any when baby comes.  What makes you think I am getting sleep now?? 
Did you want a boy or girl?  How about a healthy baby??
Oh you aren't sharing the babies name?  I hate when people do that.  We are simply doing it to piss you off!
You're going to send the baby to daycare, get a nanny, etc?  You should really be home with the baby.  Oh okay let me get right on that and then you can pay all my bills for me!
What are you having??  Um a baby.
Are you pregnant?  Nope just fat.
When are you due?  Answer.  You look big, small, etc.  Again thank you for noticing.
You look huge.  Would anyone say that to someone who is not pregnant?  Probably not.  I would love to respond with you are obese, ugly, stupid, rude, etc.  But I just smile.
Must be nice to get to eat anything you want for 9 months.  Really???  Most pregnant women do not do that dumb-ass.
Your bump is now a mountain.  You're still a dumb-ass.