11 days old and already her first yeast infection

Ladies and Gents, my baby has Thrush. And she's passed it on to my nipples. Yeah, thanks kid. Mommy loves you too.

Thrush sucks.

Damn. That's all I can say. Well, that and Ouch. My poor nipples look like punching bags and the pain is something else. It all started yesterday, right about the time after I was bragging about how easy breastfeeding was going for me this time. See how Murphy's Law works here? No sooner had the words left me lips, I suddenly felt a tingling sensation in my right nipple (and not the good kind either). About two hours later and I was having to bite my tongue during Emily's latch on to keep from screaming bloody murder.

Thrush sucks.

So, now I get to smear goo all over Emmie's mouth and all over my nipples. They say I can feed through the pain, but who are "they" and why do they lie? My plan? Pump and feed with a bottle. Pumping hurts, but nothing like Emmie's jaw working.

Thrush sucks.

Luckily (yeah right, luck!), the doc says it's just started and should clear up soon. But, the pain. Oh the pain. Let's hope I survive.

Thush sucks.


by the way: Emmie's 10 day check up was good otherwise. She's up to 7lb 1oz, meaning she gained about a pound in one week (she had dropped from a birth weight of 6lb 13oz to 6lb 2oz on Monday, the 23rd). She definitely fits into this family with an appetite like that.

What is this little person?

Lexie is still trying to figure out what this little person we call Emily is.

For those of you who asked, they are 14 months apart and I'll have to get back to you on how having them that close together is.

Lex has taken to petting Emmie. It's quite cute, yet can become violent if you don't watch her (think Lenny in Of Mice and Men). She also likes to snuggle with me while I breastfeed, which is amazing in itself because this is the child who wouldn't snuggle for the first 13 months of her life. Suddenly, she's a lovebug. I totally dig it.

Life is pretty good here at Casa de Austin. A routine is emerging and a light is shining at the end of my tunnel. It's looking pretty good.

Tag! You're it.

I am participating in a fun game from Linda and here are the instructions:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.

I had to go into my bedroom to find a book and the first one I saw was 1906 by James Dalessandro (it's a novel about the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco).
Here's the fifth sentence of page 123:
The overhead light cast a yellowish glow on the bald pate, dusty traces of dried salt glowing faintly on his thick eyebrows and mustache.

Since I have yet to read the book, I have no idea what this sentence means. I'll have to let you know. I'm thinking maybe earthquake stuff, you think?

Thanks Linda for tagging me. I'm forfeiting tagging, so it's open call. Have fun!

Some proof that as a mom, I ROCK

Today I went grocery shopping. With both kids. By myself.

Now before you go off shaking your head, wondering why I will tell you. S had to return to work today and my mom is scheduled to be here in about 4 hours. And we had no food in our house, unless Poptarts and Starbursts count as major food groups suddenly.

So, into the Snugglie went Emmie and into the cart went Lexie and off my rocker went me. Actually, it wasn't so bad. Emmie is in the lump stage of babyhood, so no worries there. And Lexie loves sitting in the shopping cart growling at people who look at her (S taught her that trick, so cute). The only trouble I had was when I dropped my debit card and it slid under the register. Agh! Fortunately, Grandma Moses happened along and somehow got her osteoporosis-self down to the floor to retrieve it for me. I kept waiting to hear bones crumble (I'd say crack, but I think she was well past that age). Thank God for nice elderly people.

So, our house has food and my mom won't think all I eat is Poptarts and Starbursts and everyone lived happily ever after!


edited to add: yes, I've changes my blog look again. I get bored with the same old, same old. If you think that's bad, you should see my house. I rearrange furniture at least twice a month.

like two peas in a pod

except for their noses, you'd think it was the same baby. Aren't they precious!

If you listen closely, you can hear my sanity blowing in the wind

Surefire way to make your sweet angel of a 14 month old go bad? Bring home equally sweet angel newborn. Guaranteed for a good time.

Wow is all I can say. Lexie is a mondo-brat and I'm not liking it. I find myself wanting to scream at her (like she does to me...Hey, it's only fair) and while I know that's not a good parenting thing, sometimes it seems like it would feel so good. I'm getting really good at counting to 10. Maybe I can find a career in that.

Emmie (still working on that as a nickname, what do you think?) is a dream. Breastfeeding is going well, which is a huge relief off my chest (pun intended, yuck, yuck, yuck). In case you're wondering, I failed at it miserably with Lexie, as mentioned here. I'm happy to say my back is holding on. I'm still not liking the breastfeeding and am waiting for that wonderful moment to happen. You know, the one all the mothers tell you they have. That moment of bonding and closeness.

Yeah um, all I feel right now is the urge to say "moo."

Birth Story (sleep deprivation issue)

Here's the low down on how Emily arrived...As you know I was hospitalized on tuesday. Man, what a drag. Well, friday came and I figured my blood pressure would still be good (even after walking), so I thought (and hoped) I would get to go home for at least a week before induction. The doctor came in and checked me after my walk down the hall and my blood pressure was 170/108...oops. She told me I was having the baby that day.

So, they started the pitocin at about 11:00am and I hung out on that for awhile. Doctor came in at 2pm and checked my cervix and I was 4cm! Woohoo. She broke my water and I nicely asked (begged) for my epidural. It took the doc 3 tries to get that damn thing in. He missed big time and I still have a little pain in my back from that one.

Anyway, epidural kicked in but then around 5:30 it wore off and I was dying. Not to mention the fact that they had 2 emergency c-sections so I had to wait almost an hour for the epidural man. By then I was puking I was in so much pain. He gave me a dozey of a dose and I was numb all the way up to my armpits...very weird.

Around 7pm, I told the nurse I had to push and yup I was 10cm but I had to wait almost another hour for the doctor to make her way to the hospital (traffic and an accident held her up). That totally sucked...it is so hard not to push when your body wants too.

Finally, the doc comes in and three pushes later Emily Lynne was born. I tore a tiny bit and required 1 stitch, but everything else went so well they let me come home yesterday!

Sorry, if this rambles or doesn't make sense in parts. I am suffering from a bit of sleep deprivation. I'll be back soon I hope. Getting used to having two little ones is harder than I thought. I'm dreading my hubby going back to work and my mom going home...agh!

Introducing Emily Lynne

isn't she lovely?

We certainly think so.

Here she is folks. Born May 20th at 7:54pm. Weighing in at 6lbs 13oz and measuring 20 inches long, she is about the same size Lexie was, which is impressive since Emmie is considered pre-term.

I'll post the birth story in all it's (guts and) glory in a few days. Just know we are home and happy!

Stolen moments

Okay, shhhhh I'm not supposed to be using a laptop here in the hospital, but my dad snuck his in so I could get my internet fix.

Here's the lowdown. While laying (lying...hmmm) down, my blood pressure is PERFECT. I mean perfect like 110/60. WTF? My doctor didn't believe the nurse and insisted on coming in to see for herself. Quite funny. So, the plan is to have me rest up in Chateau Antepartum Ward. We'll do some more bloodwork and blood pressure checks after I walk around a bit tomorrow night. Then, friday we re-evaluate the situation. I still want to induce next week (when I hit 37 weeks), mostly because I'm freaking out being away from Lexie (oh, and S) for so long. I hate depending on others for help and this is simply killing me. Thank god for my step-mom and friend Linda. They have both met the challenge of taking care of Lexie while S is at work.

Okay, enough from me. If the nurse catches me with this electronic device after I just begged and she still said no, I don't know what will happen.

Next time you hear from me...

I'll be a new mom, again!

I'm being admitted to the hospital tonight for the remainder of this pregnancy. Good news: baby isn't breech anymore! Bad news: my blood pressure is holding steady at 180/108.

I'll miss everyone and will be going crazy without internet. See you in a few weeks.

The Casserole Party

It was a blast. In total, we received 12 casseroles all frozen and ready for consumption once Monkey makes her debut. It is a great party idea, especially for second-time moms. I figured I just had a baby last year, there isn't much I need, but food is always welcome. Now, my cooking after the bambina comes will be cut in half. Yay, for the casserole!

It was also nice yesterday because I got a mini-break from Lexie. Lord, I love that child with all my being, but sometimes a momma needs a vacation. S was kind enough to take the day off of work and watch her. He even got up with her in the morning so I could sleep in. Bliss.

A perk at the party was Alana. She's one of my step-mom's closest friends. She also happens to be a retired L&D nurse and is married to a high-risk pregnancy doctor (his official title has escaped my pregnancy-scattered brain). I got to chat with her at length about my fears of breech births, versions, c-sections, you name it - we covered it. She agrees with my hopes of scheduling a version then induction immediately after. I guess that's standard procedure for her hubby. I feel more confident now in my choice and have a feeling Dr. Not So Nice will agree with me.

So, that sums up my Saturday. Hope all of you are enjoying this fine weekend!

I think she's hanging onto my ribs

So, yeah, she's still breech. I think she is trying to crawl (swim?) into my ribcage. It's an intensely uncomfortable feeling. Blood pressure still somewhat high. But, we have a tentative plan...

I go back in Tuesday for another two second ultrasound to see if Monkey is still breech (we're laying odds on it being so). Then we have the "discussion" with Dr. Not So Nice about versions and inductions. What I want to have happen is this: schedule version for about 37.5 weeks, then if successful induce right then and there. No worries about fetal distress and I get to have my mom there for the birth. The Nurse Practioner I saw yesterday said that's the way she would go, but of course I have to talk it over with a doctor. And, of course, Dr. Not So Nice is the only doctor open all next week for appointments. Ugh.

So, that's what is going on in pregnancy land here at Casa de Austin. Stay tuned for baby shower news tomorrow evening. This should be fun. My step-mom is throwing me a casserole party (where everyone brings a freezable casserole instead of a baby gift) and I insisted she NOT invite my mother-in-law*. Now, all should go well as long as MIL doesn't get wind of it.



*for those of you new to my story, here is an example as to why my MIL is not invited.

Yeah, this isn't going work out for the best

New pregnancy symptom: eating anything not nailed down as fast as one can shove said anything down one's throat. Then, complain loudly for approximately two hours. Rinse, repeat.

I don't know where the food is going. I don't even think I notice what I'm eating. Well, yes this morning I did notice that I had Fritos and Toast with a tall glass of Dr. Pepper (the yummy vanilla-cherry kind..mmm). And I am noticing now that I'm having animal crackers (shared with Lexie of course) alongside a Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage sandwich for my mid-morning snack. I shudder to wonder what lunch will bring.

It's like I can't stop. It's like I'm making up for the lack of appetite I've had up until now. Seriously, two weeks ago you'd be lucky to get two full portioned meals into me. Now, you're lucky not to lose a finger in the process.

My little dolly, er....girl

her first ponytail. No, we don't let her drink Dr. Pepper so don't ask.

34 week check up

Well, the baby is breech. Her head is tucked rather comfortably (for her, not me) under my ribcage. Dr. Kinda Nice (there are three doctors at the practice: Dr. Nice, Kinda Nice, and Not So Nice). wants me back next week to check her position and if she's still head up, we will schedule a version for the following week. Fun! Actually, I'm a little frightened and am blaming the Discovery Channel and all their terrifying birth shows where versions go bad.

Also, my blood pressure is going up. Modified bed rest has been order. Yeah, try that with a toddler. This should be interesting. I'm kinda hoping to just schedule an induction date. That way my mom can be here for the birthing of the baby. 'Cause you know, like Prissy in Gone With the Wind, she knows all abouts birthing babies. Yes ma'am. Hee hee.

Ugh

Yes, folks. I am a grumpy pregnant woman. Watch out. Here are a few of the things making want to SCREAM today.

• My guinea pig, Pippin, is whistling for food. Yet, he has food. He thinks he can fool me by covering up his dish with bedding and then act like he's starving. Ugh.
• The punks with LOUD bass lines thumping in their cars. Um, I thought they were lame in high school and my opinion hasn't changed since. Especially since their crap music is making my windows rattle. Ugh.
• Lexie keeps trying to eat dirt in the backyard. Ugh.
• Husbands who can't seem to throw empty milk cartons away. Leaving them on the counter next to the garbage does not count. Ugh.
• I've had the same Wiggle's song stuck in my head for about a week now. Fruit salad, yummy yummy, my ass. Ugh.
• The same husband thinking it counts when he throws his dirty socks in front of the hamper. Hey, it so doesn't. Ugh.

Okay, I'm going to go take a nap now.

Now, where could I get this cashed?

Interesting read this morning on yahoo news.

Tell me something I don't already know. Though, it does feel good knowing that the media is acknowledging how much work staying at home with kids really is.