Swaddling Brings Out the Crazy

I swear, swaddling will be the downfall of me. I can't explain {rationally} why, but I hate it. It hurts my heart to see my babies wrapped up. Unfortunately, both my children have needed it. 

And Drew? NEEDS it. 

Brent commented the other day how fidgety she is when awake. She's SOOO wiggly. And she startles all the time when asleep. Even swaddled, she will startle and wake herself up. FROM.INSIDE.THE.SWADDLE. I am starting to lose it a little when I have to rock her 5 times in a nap and 5 minutes later she has startled herself and is crying again. I eventually give up and just hold her {swaddled} while she naps. And in those instances, she usually sleeps for HOURS. 

Brent is sick of all of my theories about why she is waking herself up - she's hungry, she's got an upset tummy, she needs more access to her hands, she needs less... All we can figure is she's startling herself. So we're experimenting again with our collection of swaddles to see which keep her contained the best. Luckily, she sleeps great at night and is consistently only waking once to eat and goes straight back to sleep. I'll take messy daytime sleep!

Sweet sleeping girl

iPhone Photo Dump

I love doing random photo dumps and seeing other people's. I think it's neat to catch a glimpse of the every day. And I love that in years to come, when all this is forgotten, I'll have the every day moments recorded. Cheesy? Yes. But whatevs.

Our little guy who hates haircuts let Daddy shave his head. 

I don't know who was more traumatized when it was all over.

I mean seriously.

Emily warned me reflux babies don't like the Bumbo...

I was hoping she was wrong. Um...no.

Trent's cooking concoction. 

He didn't understand why I didn't want to try it...

Rescue Bots...roll out!

A major theme around our house these days...

Drew and Mayer...not impressed with each other. {grin}

They better get used to each other because my sis and I will be together A LOT over the coming months...

Mini Oscar Fashion Recap

I don't have the time that I want to do a full recap, but a little something is better than nothing, right? Next year when I don't have a newborn, I'll be back in full swing...I hope!

Runner-up for Best Dressed: Jennifer Lawrence

She looked pretty much flawless. I don't have a single complaint. 

Best Dressed: Naomi Watts

I love how unique the cut of this dress was, I love the sparkles, I love her hair and make-up, and she looks insanely hot.

Best Dressed: Chris Pine

 I was surprised at how many men I saw with pants too short, goofy shoes, weird tux jackets, bad facial hair... Chris looks amazing.

Best Couple: Jen and Ben

 Flawless

Some other favorites

Reese - the dress doesn't blow me away but her hair and makeup are perfect

Jessica - the dress fit perfectly and everything was beautiful

Amanda - a little unique and fits like bam

Adele - this dress was a big step up from the Grammy's even being black

Worst Dressed #1 - Anne Hathaway

1997 called...and wants all its prom dresses back 

Worst Dressed #2 - Melissa McCarthy

This dress does her body no favors. Where it hits her is just awful. I also don't like the color or her hair.

So there you have it. A mini-recap. 

What'd you think of all the stars?

Drew's Birth Announcement

I wasn't really sure we had any good pictures after Drew's newborn photo session. She was NOT in a good mood most of the time - she definitely didn't like us messing with her! I had always envisioned one of those precious pictures of the sleeping baby all curled up, but Miss Drew is too sensitive of a sleeper so her eyes would pop open and she'd wail at us every time we tried to position her. Luckily, she is cute, and I think we got some good ones. {grin}

Our attempts at updated family photos however...did not go well. But this is real life, so I just had to put it on the back of the card. Love!

Dr. Appt #2 of the Week

Today was another appointment for the Gurley gurls. In the last 2 weeks, we've had 4 doctor's appointments - I'm worn out! 

Today I started therapy for post-partum issues. Ugh. I'm so irritated/upset/disappointed/ frustrated/angry to be here again. Everyone in my life {and I} talk about how much better I am this time around. It's only a small consolation because I so don't want to be here again at all. 

I'm tired of crying. I'm tired of being scared. I'm tired of worrying. I'm tired of being anxious. I'm tired of trying to figure it all out.

I keep trying to remember we are only 7 weeks in. Drew is still a newborn, and no one snaps their fingers and adjusts to a change like this easily. It's just hard trying to figure out how to be Drew's mom and Trent's mom and Brent's wife and Allena.

So anyway...therapy. 

I would say it was a good appointment. Of course I cried a lot. And I've cried on and off all afternoon. My therapist said it was a good problem to have - to care too much about your children. So there is that. {grin} I have some homework for the next week, and she says she has an arsenal of things we can try, and she is optimistic. She said she's proud of me for seeking treatment this early, and that a lot of moms don't come in until 10 or 11 months. So there is that. {grin}

I will keep you guys posted as I go through this journey...again. Ugh.

Dr. Appt #1 of the Week

We had an appointment this morning with the cranial specialist for Drew's lumpy head prominent occiput. Brent and I were trying not to be worried, but anything that could involve surgery for your 7 week-old is a little bit scary. 

Luckily, Drew is just fine!! 

If she truly had a problem, the doctor explained, there would be obvious signs that Drew is not exhibiting. So we will gladly deal with a lumpy head. After all, she is a girl who'll have long hair so no one will ever know. Except for the internet since I'm posting a pic. {grin}

Lovely lady's lump...

Up next is a therapy appointment for me tomorrow. I'm sure it'll involve a lot of crying...

Book Review: Sparkly Green Earrings

I asked for a book recommendation last week and got one for 'Sparkly Green Earrings' by a blogger named Big Mama. I had also seen Kelly from Kelly's Korner blogging about the book as well. So I thought I'd give it a try!

Plot: “There is really no better indicator you’re a mother than acquiring the ability to catch throw-up in a plastic bag, disinfect your hands, and immediately ask your friend to pass the beef jerky as you put on another Taylor Swift song and act as if nothing has happened.”

This is the type of insight Melanie Shankle offers in this quirky memoir of motherhood.

Written in the familiar, stream-of-consciousness style of her blog, Big Mama, Sparkly Green Earrings is a heartwarming and hilarious look at motherhood from someone who is still trying to figure it all out. Filled with personal stories—from the decision to become a mother to the heartbreak of miscarriage and ultimately, to the joy of raising a baby and living to tell about it—Sparkly Green Earrings will make you feel like you’re sitting across the table from your best friend. A must-read for anyone who’s ever had a child or even thought about it.

Review: Oh so fun! I definitely needed something light-hearted to read, and this fit the bill. As a mom, I could relate to a lot of her stories and thoughts, but I also felt like there were lots of learning moments in there too. I totally agree that any mom (or would-be mom) will enjoy!

Smiles

It took us over 3 months to get a picture of Trent smiling. Drew just likes to show off I think!

Updates Galore

BP3 - My newest nephew has a name. 

Mayer David

Drew's Weight - We had a check-up yesterday for Drew's weight. She gained 8 ounces in 12 days which is on the light side but normal. She did drop another percentile category, but her doctor doesn't seem concerned. I wasn't ever really concerned. I did talk with 2 lactation consultants and they agreed with me that she was gaining just fine for an exclusively breastfed baby.

The doc does think Drew and I have thrush. Boo. I swear - between reflux, weight gain issues and this...we are tackling all the BF issues! I had no problems with Trent. It seems to be a pretty mild case, so we're starting with a pretty mild treatment. If you come to my house though and see me topless, you'll know why. {grin}

6 Week Postpartum - I had my 6 week OB follow-up this week as well. Everything seems to be going good in the physical recovery; I'd say I'm recovered (whoo hoo). Emotional is a little less peachy keen. I am still confident I am 9,020,102 times better than I was with Trent, but I'm still toying with the idea of talking to someone. I have good days and bad days and, right now, the good days greatly outweigh the bad, but it'd be nice to be proactive and keep the bad days to a minimum. My OB (who is wonderful, I cannot say enough amazing things about my practice) gave me the name of a woman who specializes in post-partum, so we'll see if I give her a call.

I had every intention of taking a picture of both kids all looking cute for Valentine's Day. It didn't happen. I am just proud that I got 20 gifts together for his class, presents for his teachers, presents for each of my kiddos and a present for my husband.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

He's Here!!

Baby Boy Patnode

February 11, 2013 @ 4:34 pm

8 pounds, 2 ounces

20 1/2 inches

I predicted he would be 8 pounds, 2-3 ounces - I am a genius! He is their biggest baby yet...but still smaller than both of mine!!

As per usual, he is nameless. Let the debate begin.

Patty also tested positive for GBS, so she'll be in the hospital until Wednesday. I hope to get to go up there, but given Drew has yet to take a bottle that seems unlikely, so I will probably see him at home later this week.

Patty also pushed only 1 time! She certainly knows how to have babies. {grin}

Our hearts are full - just in time for Valentine's Day!!

Randoms

• Guess who is coming out to play tomorrow? BP3!! I won't be able to go to the hospital to see my newest nephew, but I promise to post a picture and details as soon as I get them. So excited!
• Today has been kind of a blah day. It's been a blah weekend. When I spend too much time indoors I get a little emo. But with Drew being so young, we're trying to stay out of public situations as much as possible until March. But I definitely need to be getting out some...to avoid the crying jag I had on Brent this afternoon.
• I am totally caught up on Downton Abbey. My obsession continues, and I can't wait to finish season 3!
• Brent found the camera I thought I lost...in my glove box. 2 weeks after I bought another camera. Oops.
• I need a fun book to read. I downloaded the last book in the Matched trilogy but haven't started it yet. Anyone have something light and fun I should read?
• The last 2 nights Drew has only gotten up ONCE in the night. She is such a good baby. Of course I'm still recovering from last weekend when I stopped counting after the 8th time I had to get out of bed.
• I hope Starbucks does Valentine's cups again this year.
• Hitting up Target tomorrow to get gifts for Trent and Drew for Valentine's Day and for the TWENTY kids in Trent's class. Seen lots of Pinterest homemade presents...um...nope!
• I hate that even without 'serious' postpartum, I don't adjust well to having a baby. I wish I could just roll with it instead of being nervous about everything. Ugh.

Comparisons

I think it's obvious these 2 are siblings, huh?

And how can you tell me Drew isn't gaining enough weight? Ha.

Movies!

The week before Drew arrived, I kept thinking it'd be great to squeeze in one more movie with Allison or have a date night to Alamo Drafthouse with Brent {he'll only go to the movies there since he can drink beer...which duh is the best way to watch a movie}, but there was nothing out I wanted to see. Now? Lots I want to see! Ugh. It'll be months probably before I go to a movie. And next year? Allison - mark your calendar, we're doing the Oscar movies again! {grin}

A Good Day to Die Hard - I've seen all the Die Hard movies and love them!

Oz The Great and Powerful - A pretty interesting {so it seems} Oz story

Beautiful Creatures - Witches? Yes please!

Warm Bodies - Zombies? Yes please!

Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks and a shirtless Josh Duhamel? Yes please!

Any movies you want to see?

The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship...Maybe

Grow Baby Grow - Drew - 1 Month

Happy 1 month birthday, Drew Kathleen! I honestly can't believe a month has gone by. It feels like yesterday she was born (although I'm glad we're a month in).

Drew's 1 month stats and milestones:
Weight: 10 pounds, 3 ounces {75-90%}*
Length: 21 3/8" {50-75%}
Head: 38 1/2 cm {95-98%}**
Diaper size: size 1
Clothing size: 0-3 month clothes

*Drew's doctor is a little concerned about her weight gain - as in not enough. Drew's has some reflux and spits up, so we have a few things we're going to try to keep her milk down and also work to make sure she's getting enough hindmilk from me since that's where all the fat is. If she's getting too much foremilk that could also be causing her to spit up, so if we can get her more hindmilk, we might fix both problems at once!

**We're going to see a cranial specialist as Drew seems to have a 'prominent occiput'. Brent and I both noticed she has a lumpy back part of the head, and when I brought it up to the pediatrician she agreed and wants us to have it checked out.

Other random first month details:
-Umbilical cord stump fell off at 9 days
-She was doing great with night wakings (starting at 8 days was only getting up twice) but we've majorly regressed and are getting up 4-5 times/night. This kind of makes sense now given her low weight gain...so hopefully working on that will help us get back to good night sleep. Mama needs it!
-Smiling at around 3 weeks (hard to know which ones are 'real' at first). By this week smiling a ton and starting to coo. LOVE.
-First bath {ever} at 10 days, so far she likes her baths and has yet to cry.
-Sleeps at night in her room, daytime mix of her room and on me, goal is to have her fully in her room {mostly} by about 6 weeks. She isn't sleeping as soundly on me during the day anymore, so I think the world is starting to bother her a little!
-Bedtime starts between 6:30 - 7:30 but usually takes me an hour to get her totally down, wakes up about 7, 3-4 naps/day and usually 1 is a marathon nap
-Won't take a pacifier, and I think that's awesome after the disaster that was weening Trent off his. Does enjoy sucking on her hand and has found her thumb a time or two already...we'll see if that leads anywhere!
-Hasn't had a bottle yet. We tried once and she wasn't having it, so we'll try again in the next week or so...
-Nicknames: Little Bit, Sweet Pea, Baby Sister

We love our girl so much and are so happy she joined our family. I can't imagine life without her and can't wait to see what the future holds for our precious daughter.

A Smattering of Trent

I feel like my Trent is being a little neglected by his mommy...on the blog and in real life. Brent keeps reminding me that this is a season, and obviously Drew needs me more right now {me providing her only source of food and all, ha}. But I was going through some old pictures on my phone and got all warm and fuzzy looking at some old pictures of my boy that I never posted.

Movie date with mom to see Monsters, Inc.

He watched most of the movie in my lap which was super uncomfortable!

 No caption needed {grin}

I never posted about Christmas...it was great! T got way spoiled!

This is what happens when he doesn't get a nap...

I know life will take on a 'new normal' soon enough...but I do miss my T!