Miami Valley Hospital and Child Birth Classes

Well, we have successfully finished our Child Birth Classes. Wasn't as bad as I thought. There really wasn't as much 'participation' as I thought there would be. We did practice the breathing part - and that was a bit weird (Tim couldn't coach without laughing - which made me start laughing). I seriously don't think I will be 'panting' during the labor. Whenever I have pain, or anything where I start stressing - I take deep calming breaths. 'Panting' makes me have panic attacks - so that will probably be out. We didn't practice the different 'positions' just pretty much talked about them, which was fine I guess. I think my body will tell me the best way to be - as it usually does for any other pains I tend to have. Not to mention - I am all about an epidural when the pain gets too much.

However, I do have to take a moment and give Hubby the gold star for the weekend. He really did pay attention, and learn a lot. Now - whether he remembers it when the time comes, that is a different story. On Sunday (we took the weekend class) they had a review first thing - and even though he didn't answer in front of the class - he would answer to me, and he was spot on for most of it. Then, in the afternoon, we had a 'Labor Rehearsal' where there were 12 different cards with different parts of labor and delivery on them, and it asked you questions like....where would you be right now, what should you do, what is happening, etc. Again, Tim was pretty much on target for it. It made me feel better knowing that he really did pay attention during the class. Lord knows I probably won't remember most of it when the contractions start!

Not only did we have the class, but we learned a lot about the hospital, their processes, and the different rooms. We took a tour to see the different rooms, and talk about what goes on, what you can do, etc. I think we definitely made a good choice to stick with Miami Valley. I probably wouldn't have picked somewhere else - since my Dr. only delivers at MVH, but I feel that this is the best in the area - with the NICU, PICU, and nursing staff - overall I was impressed.

Something I am extremely happy about is the way they handle delivery, and the important first few hours after. Miami Vally has done some studies - along with other hospitals- and found that treating the new mothers, babies, and dads as a whole, and not just patients makes things work much better. Also, they try to do everything there in the delivery room and not separate mom and baby more than needed. The told us that the first 2 hours after delivery is very important for regulating babies body temperature, breastfeeding, starting the 'healing process' with mom, and just general bonding time for the new family. They said that a majority of that first two hours are done 'skin to skin' which means the baby is pretty much in a diaper and hat - on mom's chest, and they are both covered in blankets. The nurse said that Mom's body adjusts to whatever temperature the baby needs to regulate its temperature. Plus, the baby will smell the milk, and help latch on better when you start to breastfeed.

The only downside I see in the whole delivery process at MVH is for our family. With the important time right after delivery, this means it will be about 2 hours after delivery before our family will be able to see us. The nurse did kind of explain it in a good way. The mom and dad just got running a marathon (labor) and they aren't able to enjoy there prize (baby) with it being passed around the room. If the family were to come into the room right after delivery - once they take their pictures, take turns holding, and fawn over the baby - he will be tired, fussy, and it would be harder to feed. Breastfeeding is very important to us, so we want to do everything we can to try to make the whole thing easier. I hope our family will understand, and give us that needed time together, and then they can visit once we are settled in the 'after' room. Not to mention that I will pretty much be naked anyway - so that would not be a good time to have extended family in the room.

We decided that my mom, and Tim's mom are going to be in the delivery room for the birth. My mom - because she is my mom, and Tim's mom because she has been there for him through the whole thing. They have always had a close relationship, and she was the only one he could really talk to when we were doing all the fertility treatments. I could tell that Tim wanted his mom there - but didn't want me to be uncomfortable so I thought it would be good to have her there as support for Tim.. Not to mention - both of them are nurses, so they know medical stuff, and would 'blend into the background' if things get a bit out of hand, or to just let Tim and I do what we need to do to get through everything. My cousin will be there also - she is like a little sister to me and Tim - and she is on camera detail. However, once the baby is born, my mom and Tim's mom will #1 want to take a break and #2 want to celebrate with the rest of the family in the waiting room or on the phones. Tim's mom always has her camera, so she will be able to share some pictures with the waiting room until we are settled and ready to have guests come visit.

So, that was a very full weekend, and Monday came WAY too soon. Now we are working on Christmas lists, Thanksgiving, and our Caring for your New Born class in December. It is now 9:45 pm, and I am pooped. Gotta get up early in the morning and get Tim off to his 5K run, and go get my Thanksgiving Day ads to prepare for our shopping trip on Friday.

29 weeks, Baby Shower #1 and some fears!!

Busy...busy...busy...Girl. Haven't been updating like I should - by the time I get home and get my feet up, I am nearly falling asleep. So I will try to recap what has been going on the last few weeks.

Dr Appointments @ 29 weeks: Well, had a Doctor appointment on October 22nd. I was 28 weeks 6 days. The doctor walks in and says.....hmmmm 7 lbs huh. I had gained 7 lbs in 4 weeks. I was a bit bummed. He didn't want me to gain more than 15 for the entire pregnancy - and I am up to 13 according to his measurements. One thing I have noticed the last 2 weeks (which I told him) I am bouncing between weights. I am +5 lbs one day, and -5 lbs the next. It is crazy!! Anyway, I have felt VERY hungry recently, so I think I am going to try and start packing some snacks to eat during the day and hopefully keep from pigging out at supper. Also, when he was measuring me, I am suppose to be between 28 and 29 cm - and I was 32 cm !!! Which means that I may be having a big baby - not a surprise, but they are going to watch me. If I continue to measure big, they will do an ultrasound to check the size and make sure everything is OK. I am really hoping to have 'normal' size baby, but doubt I will get it. With the big babies in my family - hubby's size - and other things against us, sounds like we will be having a big - or long- baby. here is a picture of me at 29 weeks, and after my shower....so I was pooped!

Cramer/Brown Shower 10-24-2009: My side of the family had our baby shower yesterday. It was very cute. They took the farm theme for the nursery and ran with it. I loved it! There was a cute hand made cake, clothesline, and we even drank out of Mason Jars!! I am not a very good gift receiver, or at being the center of attention. This is very awkward when the shower is being thrown for you!! I am use to being the one in the back making sure everyone else is taken care of, pouring drinks, etc - so it was a bit weird for me. It was nice to see everyone. Some of the guests I hadn't seen in a while, so it was nice. I got a lot of good gifts, and a few of the BIG ones I needed. We got our travel system, so we will be able to bring the baby home...which is good, and we got our bedding! So we have the crib, and bedding, just waiting on the mattress to complete that part.

This brings us to my recent fears. Other than my baby being really big - requiring me to go early - but the nursery part is killing me. I'm afraid that we won't get the things we need before the baby is here. I do have 2 more showers, and Christmas, but I am afraid to wait on the big things that have to be ordered - especially since I am due 2 weeks after Christmas. Typically shipping takes 2 weeks, and then we have to put it together. I still don't have a dresser - so I can't put clothes away. I don't have a changing table yet, so I can't even use that for clothes either. For those of you that don't know, I am a planner, and to have things sitting in bags and totes on the floor is killing me. Tim keeps telling me that it will be OK, and that we will purchase the few big things we need after our showers to relieve my fears, and then others can get me the little stuff. I am just freaking right now - as usual - and will get over it. I am sure things will take care of themselves - and there is really no reason for my worry, but I can't help it.

Anyway, I gotta go to the Bengal Barn and watch the game. Yes I am a Bengal Fan, and this season has not been good for my blood pressure - but that is for another blog!!

Later!

♥ Jessica & Brady ♥

Been Away, Big News, and Help Request.

Sorry I have been gone for so long. We have been working around the house to get ready for carpet. We finally got it installed last week, so now I have been working on getting things back together. The carpet looks great. My FIL and Hubby actually decided to paint the ENTIRE first floor, not just the bedrooms, and it looks GREAT!! I am so thankful for my FIL's help.

Now on to the BIG NEWS....For those of you that do not know.....we are having a BOY!!! During the ultrasound, the baby was pointing at it saying...check this out Mommy, this is what you were looking for. And everyone kept asking me if I was worried that the baby would be modest.....Huh - not Tim's Kid. I will be lucky to keep clothes on this baby after he is born. So, we are EXCITED!!! Movements are getting stronger, just wish they would be going on when Tim is home. Seems that the baby doesn't move much when he is home. BTW...First name will be BRADY. Still up in the air with a middle name. **BTW...number at the top is not my social - but thanks for checking**

In regards for my request for help - I am trying to complete the Registry. All you Mommies out there - especially recent ones- can you send me a list of things you couldn't live without, along with things you didn't think to register for - but really needed it. We are going to register at Target, Babies R US, and Walmart. Any ideas would be helpful as I am hoping to get this done within the next 2-3 weeks. My email address is jbrobinson996@verizon.net if your list is pretty detailed, or lengthy. I appricate any tips you can provide to me.

Belly Pic- 20 Weeks 5 Days - taken by my MIL Lil @ her house.

♥ Jessica and Brady ♥

Houston...We have movement!!!

Holy Moley!! Someone is blowing bubbles in my belly.

Well, on Satuday, my cousin Sequoya and her boyfriend came over for her birthday, and ate my homemade pizza (birthday girl's wish). After I got done eating, I was sitting around waiting for the others to finish, and all of a sudden - there were bubbles in my belly. I must have had a weird look on my face cause Tim looked at me and asked if I was ok. I said 'Either I am going to be sick, or I just felt the baby move'. Well, I didn't get sick, and the bubble feeling was right below the belly button - right where the doctor said. It was crazy!!

It happened again on Sunday. I was getting ready for church while Tim was in the shower. He got out, I turned around to ask him a question, and it happend again. As before, it caught me off guard but I was glad I felt it. Made me smile! Tim probebly thinks I am going crazy, but its ok. I just can't wait till the baby is big enough for Tim to feel it.

I also relized that I have yet to take a belly picture because to me - all I see is residual flab from the 50 lb weight gain thanks to PCOS. Eventhough I am down 25 lbs, I still feel like I am flabby uptop, and not really 'showing'. Well I talked to some other Mom's online, and they said they felt th same way, but it was just everything moving up, making you pooch out more. Also, I think that because of dealing with the infertility, and the increased chance of miscarriage - I was afraid to take pictures, start a journal, or any of that stuff because I didn't know how I would react to it in the event I lost the baby. I know that is morbid - but it is a fact that you must face - especially for pregnancy after infertility.

So, since I am now 17 weeks - I thought I had better take a picture. I refuse to post bare-belly pics for personal reasons: #1 I think bare pregnant bellies look weird and freak me out just a bit and #2 a PCOS side effect is increased hair growth - so my belly is a bit fuzzy. Sorry for the TMI, but it is a fact. Anyway, Tim took the picture - which he isn't the greatest with the camara - but hopefully he will get better...LOL.

I have decided that I will definitly be switching to Maternity Jeans next weekend. While we were sitting in church, I realized just how big my belly was getting, and how regular jeans are not as flexable as my work pants are.

Well, Tim is home, and out of the shower - so it is time to go to bed.

G'night
♥ J & Lil Bean ♥

Is this a craving?

I was just sitting at work, minding my own, and all of a sudden it hit me....I NEED SOME SORT OF SUGAR CANDY!! I would have killed for a Jolly Rancher, SweeTart, or Warhead. Luckily someone in my area had some Laffy Taffy. It didn't hit the spot, but it was close.

Also, I have been sleeping like the DEAD, but yet I am still TIRED!! I didn't think it would hit me so quick. I've been reading the books, and it does say that you are tired during the 1st and 3rd trimester, but sheesh! I guess it is my body's way of telling me to slow down. I tend to have a problem with that - I inherited it from my mom.

Well, it is 8:30 and I am pooped. Tim is in the shower, and then we are going to watch the Mentalist in bed so if I fall asleep it will be ok.

g'night
♥ J & Lil Bean ♥

Woes of the Pregnant Picky Eater...

I thought I was a picky eater before......sheesh!! When Metformin came into my life (PCOS) My eating choices went down a bit. But man, this kinda sucks (but in a good way-for a good cause). I can only really eat an Egg for breakfast, Subway (chicken bacon ranch with lettuce and ranch), Wendy's Chicken Nuggets, Potatoes, Pretzels, Mac-N-Cheese, Green Beans (mine - from the garden with bacon bits and onion flakes) and Ice Cream -Thank you ice cream for making the upset belly go away!! Sometimes I can do a pork chop or piece of chicken - but I have to be in the mood for it, and not eat too much. I am a country girl, and we butcher our own beef. Well, I fixed a steak a few nights ago, and could only eat half....HALF!!! and it was a small one. But, yet, we go to Longhorn - and I can eat the whole dang thing. I know it is because our beef tastes different (home grown - no hormones- talked to by Gpa Brown, etc) but I didn't think it was THIS DIFFERENT!!! Gah! I hope this passes soon, or else we won't be getting anther half next year. The one good thing is that I haven't had to worship the porcelain god yet....so that is a plus.

It also doesn't help that when I get hungry....I GET HUNGRY!!! and it hits me quick too. I can just be sitting there, doing my work, and all of a sudden I am starving and can't wait to go home and eat! But when I do eat - I fill up really fast. Thank goodness Tim is having my 'eating-for-2' sympathy pains, or else I would have gained 30 lbs by now.

On the weight front, haven't gained anything - actually I have lost 2lbs. It is really nothing to worry about. Dr. said pregnant women with PCOS tend to lose more weight in the beginning of pregnancy because all the extra fat stored from the insulin resistance are starting to be burned up. He told me not to worry, and as long as I was eating enough, drinking enough, and taking my prenatals, I will be fine. Now if I get sickly looking, have weird symptoms and not getting a baby bump, then we will worry. Speaking of the baby bump, I know it is WAY to early, but it seems like some of the fat stored in other areas of my body have been migrating to my belly. It is already starting to stick out a bit more than it did before - to the point where I loosened my belt a notch. I think it is all in my head.

All in all, we are doing great. I can share another secret....just don't tell Tim - he may get embarrassed. You all know, from this post, Tim is not the most emotional guy out there. I had went and bought the bible for pregnancy (what to expect when expecting) and had been reading it before bed. Especially to find out what was going on development wise. Well, Tim would look at it some times, especially the pictures, and ask few questions. Well, when I was picking up my book, I came across another one. It is called "So you are going to be a dad". It is really funny, and actually wrote by a Dad (I kinda wanted to get it for him so I could read it). It is pretty short, only 208 pages - not very technical - so I thought it would be perfect for him and his personality. Tim tends to deal with the hard stuff by cracking jokes.

Well, we went to dinner on Wednesday, and he had been to Barns and Noble and picked up the book he thought I meant him to get (The Expectant Father). Which, is a bit longer, and is closer to the What to Expect book. I am hoping that he will read both of them, and be able to better understand why I am so crazy right now. A good sign is when I came out to the kitchen this morning, the stack of books on the kitchen table (thanks to my friend Lori) was missing the -So you are - book. I thought maybe I had misplaced it, but had a hunch that I didn't. So I looked in the one place Tim keeps his books that he is trying to read.....!!!TMI ALERT!!!......in the cabinet above the toilet. There it was, right on top, and ready to be read. So I am taking that as a good sign!!

Till Next Time!!

♥ J and the Lil' Bean ♥