tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52105614931083375652024-03-14T05:29:09.540-06:00Adventures in ParenthoodRandi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-76025839707332429782015-01-13T16:18:00.000-06:002015-01-13T16:50:45.485-06:00Birth Story - December 26, 2014Well, another little boy has made our way into this world. Our late Christmas present. I feel like I was much more coherent this time around and remember most everything that happened... So here we go.<br />
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We arrived at the hospital at 7 in the morning on Friday, December, 26, 2014 at St. Johns Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We went to our delivery suite where we settled in for the delivery of our new itty bitty. I will say that the last several weeks had been pretty difficult, a lot of pain in my hips and pelvic region... I couldn't move in bed, needed help sitting, standing up, and walking hurt like heck. We did what we could to try and induce naturally but had no luck and honestly I couldn't take the discomfort anymore so induction was the name of the game.<br /><br />It took about an hour to get the show on the road and to start the dreaded pitocin. I started out at about 4cm dilation and 75% effaced, I was having inconsistent contractions for the last couple of weeks but were unable to really feel them. It didn't take long at all for the pitocin to make it's presence known and the real contractions started. Mr. W was a champ, he would count down my contractions for me and let me squeeze the tarnations out of his hand as they came and went about every 2 minutes or so tilted slightly on my left side. 7cm in and around 10:00 I asked for an epidural, the pain was unreal and I was gripping the guard rails for dear life. This is unfortunately where things started going wonky. The anesthesiologist came in, and because of hospital policy Mr. W went out - spouses weren't allowed in the room while epidurals are administered. While the nurse and Dr. discussed their holiday schedules he attempted twice to administer my epidural before he said he was successful. The pain while he was administering it was crazy. I could feel the epidural needle in my back both times and I just had to sit there perfectly still and take it. God only knows how I didn't move during it. I then felt the "ice chill" down my back and was relieved that my pain relief was well on it's way. They kept asking if my feet were getting heavier, but the heavy feet never came, the dullness of the contractions never happened... I kept pushing the button every 15 minutes for more medication but all that happened was my stomach numbed from my chest to my belly button... which if you've ever been in labor that isn't really where your pain occurs. Because I had a epidural I had to get a catheter. I assume the nurse just assumed that my numbing was taking a little longer but was in the process because she began inserting it, and I WASN'T numb. Oh my lanta. There are NO words of the pain of getting a catheter and not being numbed. I think that was the only time I cried and maybe let out a shout. That hurt like crazy.<br />
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It took about 50 minutes for them to do the epidural attempts, and I sat there feeling everything for about hour. When they were going to go get the anesthesiologist to see about trying the epidural again they decided to check dilation, in that hour I dilated to 10cm and the urge to push started. I started saying I couldn't do it, I wanted to go home, squeezing Mr. W's hand and the guard rail of the bed. The pain was unreal. I laid there trying not to push while they started preparing the room for the delivery. I vaguely remember my doctor coming in and me jokingly mentioning that I got a epidural and it didn't work in between the contractions I was having. At about 12:20 it was time to start pushing, I had to be convinced to hold my legs because all I wanted to do was hold the rails of the bed. It took about 11 minutes of pushing, before he made his arrival.<br />
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So I unintentionally had a over 10 pound baby all natural. Where's my medal? Haha! Labor and delivery were crazy intense.... but the moment that he was placed in my arms it all melted away and I was just happy he was in my arms finally. Raiden is adjusting to life as a big brother still. We went to Texas the day after he was born for some reinforcement from my parents and sister. We spent a week there before we headed back home to settle in to life with our new addition. It is overwhelming, crazy, and just plain exhausting... but absolutely amazing. That being said... I think I am good waiting several years before you hear another birth story come out of me! I am good with just me && my boys.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kingston Augustus Gotham Williams</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Born on December 26, 2014 @ 12:31PM</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">10 pounds 4 ounces, 22 inches long</span></div>
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<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-66307851563027339452014-12-17T22:00:00.000-06:002014-12-18T11:00:21.333-06:00Dear Kingston,Dear Kingston,<br />
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I haven't met you yet. I am 39 weeks + 2 days pregnant with you. I did something similar for your brother - Writing you before I even had a chance to meet - and figured I would carry on the tradition. You have been a whole different cup of tea in terms of pregnancy then your brother was. Not to say he didn't provide his difficulties, but you my little man, wanted your presence to be known from the get go and always made sure you weren't too far off in my thoughts with your insistence of kicking, flipping, squirming, and rolling. And this last month... Wow, you stepped up your game. With that being said I am really ready for your appearance. Yes, the introduction to your letter probably isn't as sentimental and sappy as your brother's was. But something your father and I have learned is that there is a difference between facing parenthood for the first time and going at it a second time.<br /><br />It's hard to believe we are about to start this new journey, your big brother will be roughly just 21 months old when you are born. I am excited to see the bond that you two develop over time. My hope is that in your brother you find your best friend. Someone to weather the storm with, someone to share secrets with, someone to share laughs with... He is too young to understand right now that you are about to enter his life, but I already know that he will love you instantly.<br /><br />Your dad and I are already smitten with the thought of you.... Scared, but smitten all the same. We are so excited to meet you, to add you to our family, and you don't know how many people are out there that are anxiously waiting for your arrival!<br />
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Just as I did with your brother you are a constant in my daily prayers. Prayers of guidance, strength, and abundant love for you my child. Prayers that we raise you boys with the care and thoughtfulness that you deserve. Prayers that when we mess up and make mistakes we are still able to use it to teach you, and that you will have the open heart to listen and take in what it is that we teach. We hope and pray that we make you as proud as you make us. I pray that I do my due diligence in recognizing at all times that although you are close in age to your brother, that you are your own individual and to treat you as such at all times.<br />
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My promise to you is that I will always be there for you, that we will always be there for you. To hold on tight when you want us to, and to let you go when you need us to. All any parent can hope for is to always show a outpouring of love with a open mind and a kind heart and that it reflects in their children as they grow.<br />
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Soon our family of 3 will become a family of 4... and you are by far the most amazing Christmas present any of us could ask for. We love you with every fiber of our being Kingston... and we are so ready to meet you!<br />
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Your mom.<br />
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<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-7573121571609063282014-10-08T21:58:00.000-05:002014-10-08T22:10:37.870-05:00This should be my 29 week update...but it's not.<br />
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October marks the beginning of my favorite times of the year - The 'ber' months. October also is my husband's and my anniversary month, not wedding, but the anniversary of when we decided to give the whole dating thing a try. I recently had a girls night and briefly discussed our relationship but it really got me thinking.<br />
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Honestly, Devin and I went through a lot of trials that first year together. The fact that we came out of it intact is surprising. We both put each other through the ringer. We were young, I had my issues, he had his. But even when we argued I knew I didn't want to argue with anyone else. And somehow we made it past that first year... And here we are now, married for a couple years, with a beautiful little boy and another on the way.<br />
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So many people we associated ourselves with back when we started dating doomed our relationship from the get go. Giving it an expiration date again and again. This October marks 7 amazing years and the foundation that our relationship is built on continues to get stronger and stronger. Sure there has been storms weathered and cracks in the foundation, but we've repaired them and have continued to build to it along the way together.<br />
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And then there were those people who never really knew either of us outside of a casual friendship who thought we were just the perfect couple. We are far from perfect. Our relationship has had its turbulence. The only different between us and the relationships of so many 20-somethings we know is that we went into this knowing it wasn't going to just be all sunshine and cupcakes. We knew it was going to take work.<br />
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Marriage is not something that is effortless. It is a daily effort to nurture it, grow it, and maintain it. It is a daily effort to go out of your way to make sure your spouse knows how much you love them and how important they are. You must take care and and time every single day, even if it is a simple text. It gets harder when kids come into the picture, you aren't just husband and wife, you are mommy and daddy. But you still have to uphold your relationship with your husband with the utmost importance and respect. Never taking for granted your spouse, never forgetting them, never replacing them.<br />
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Back when Devin and I were just flirty 21 year olds I never thought that I would fall in love with Devin, even if I could stretch the imagination enough to see potentially dating him, marrying and having children with him wasn't even in my realm of possibility. It's funny looking back because I can see how into him I was but how much I held back because of something as silly as race. But everything has it's season and I am glad that we ended up getting together when we did because it unfolded as it should have and might not have if we had gotten together any earlier.<br />
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Having the privilege of watching Devin grow into the man, the husband, and the father that he is today is truly a blessing. Getting to know him, being a friend, being his girlfriend, eventually becoming his wife. I truly appreciate the 7 years we have spent together and look forward to all the years ahead. Growing old together and having that type of connection with another person that you always hope for. Because that is what he is to me... Our relationship, is everything and more that I could ask for. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have such an intimate and gratifying relationship and to have that type of person in my life because not everyone is so fortunate.He truly is my one true love, and I thank God everyday that I found him.<br />
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Happy 7 years my beloved. Your love astounds me, supports me, and lifts my spirit in a way that nothing else can. You gave me a beautiful gift by giving me your heart, and then took it even a step further and gave me the gift of becoming a mother. There is no one else I would rather share my life with, raise children with, or lay my head next to at night. The fact that you chose me, you gave yourself to me, you love me... I couldn't be more grateful. I hold my relationship with you in the highest regards. You are truly an amazing man and I am honored that you chose me to be by your side come what may. Thank you for showing me a love that I thought only existed in fairy tales. You make me a better person and make me strive to be better. You are my love, my best friend - and knowing you is knowing the best of me. You're an amazing individual and I love you.<br /><br />Here is to the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky. I will always carry your heart.<br />
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<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-2819020499274147182014-09-09T19:49:00.000-05:002014-09-09T19:49:00.116-05:00Oh yeah... Blogging.So I am absolutely horrible with updating my pregnancy on here this time around. Things are just so different with work AND a toddler. When I find time to myself the last thing I want to do is get on the computer after work and getting the little man down for bed. So... Sorry.<br />
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I am 25 weeks pregnant today. 25 WEEKS!? Seriously. Time is going at warp speed here. So much has happened in the last several weeks I don't even know where to begin. Directly after unveiling Baby W #2's name we were accused of "stealing" his name... that was fun. Then a week later we had a not so perfect visit for or 5 month OBGYN and discovered I had complete placenta previa. Our doctor was concerned of rupturing placenta, and in a town our small we would be faced with losing Kingston, or even on top of that me bleeding out. It is when you're faced with real issues that the trivial seem even more absurd then before.<br />
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Was put on pelvic rest - I am so glad to report that at our 6 month visit my placenta had migrated by itself and it seems we are almost in the clear. Just praying for the additional movement needed for my doctor to consider me in the clear. If it doesn't move I will remain on pelvic rest and they will schedule a c-section for me.<br />
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(This was last week - 24 weeks 1 day)</div>
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<b>How far along?</b> 25 weeks</div>
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<b style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Total weight gain:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> 15lb.</span></div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b> Nope</div>
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<b>Stretch marks? </b>no</div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>I wake up once a night to use the bathroom</div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Best moment last week:</b><b> </b>A good visit with the OBGYN!</div>
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<b style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;">Miss Anything?</b><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"> Sandwiches. I want deli meat SO badly!</span></div>
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<b>Movement:</b> Kingston kicks the most late at night and early in the morning. You can physically see it now.</div>
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<b>Food cravings: </b>Grilled chicken salads... mmmmm</div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Anything making you queasy or sick: </b>Just when it is too hot out.</div>
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<b>Labor Signs:</b> I started getting legit contractions a month ago. I get them every couple of days but my cervix is closed so it is nothing to be concerned with.</div>
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<b>Symptoms:</b> All of them!</div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Belly Button in or out?</b><b> </b>in but I don't think for all that much longer</div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Wedding rings on or off?</b><b> </b>on</div>
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<b>Happy or Moody most of the time: </b>Happy!</div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Looking forward to: </b>Getting the boys room cleared out to start decorating this month!</div>
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<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-48333395144113507052014-07-31T21:28:00.000-05:002014-07-31T21:28:19.638-05:00The Name GameWe kept Raiden's name a secret on my blog until after he was born. Not quite sure why but we did and he was affectionately titled Baby W until d-day. Raiden's name selection was tedious and never ending it felt like, even right up to the day he was born we were tinkering with possibly changing his middle name, we ended up sticking with our original name.<br /><br />With Baby #2 we started picking girls names shortly after finding out we were pregnant. My husband was so convinced it was a girl that I think he not only convinced himself and me but also everyone else around us as well. When the she was discovered to be a he the best thing was that we had our name list from when we were expecting Raiden to go off of - Only a handful of names from that list stayed on for this name game of choosing our next son's name.<br />
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There was one name, always persistently on our higher up choices, always mentioned when people asked for what names we were thinking of, and one that is close to our hearts. Mr. W and I were married in Jamaica in June of 2012, it was an experience and trip that touched us in so many ways and stayed with us. Honoring that trip, our nuptials, and our love of Jamaica in general seemed natural for both of us. We thought of this name for Raiden but decided to go a different route, but 2 years later it is still something we love and the meaning behind it. This explains the first name.<br />
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The middle name, many would probably agree is a little 'out there.' While I don't think that the middle name is just free game for whatever crazy or oddity that strikes your fancy, I do think there is more room to play with the name. I mean the only people that use my middle name when addressing me, are occasionally my parents, my friend Amanda, and my husband jokingly every now and then. Raiden has my initials, RJ, and because of that I really wanted Mr. W to have more influence. He wanted something that paid homage to something that he held dear all through his childhood and life in general. Initially I wasn't just ecstatic about the idea, but I warmed up to it pretty quickly since it was something that really meat a lot to the husband. We wanted something distinctive - After considering how popular location names have become... No one said it couldn't be a fictional location.<br />
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So with that, I don't think anymore explanation is necessary, and I am sure 98% of my friends just scrolled to the bottom to see the name anyways...<br /><br />Baby Williams #2 is named, so awesomely...<br />
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<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-34388829661232771642014-07-31T21:06:00.002-05:002014-07-31T21:06:32.703-05:00Week 19Week 19 is upon us and as we near the halfway mark we also finalized our newest addition's name! I think I am going to start a list of things you shouldn't say to a pregnant woman because I forgot how rude or insensitive so many people are to you when you're pregnant.<br />
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I've also started getting pieces for my Fall/Winter wardrobe. Of course it's still all Buckle all the time, this time around I am really committed to not buying one single maternity item of clothing. So far so good. My Fall wardrobe --> Tights, tank tops, cardigans, && boots. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezey.<br />
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<b>How far along?</b> 19 weeks & 2 days</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Total weight gain:</b> 4 pound</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Nope</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>no</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Sleep: </b>I still wake up to nurse little man.<br /><b>Best moment last week:</b> Had some quality time with the husband and baby boy.</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><b>Miss Anything? </b>My figure!</span><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Movement:</b> Kicking every here and there, mostly at night.</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Food cravings: </b>Mint chocolate chip ice cream<br /><b>Anything making you queasy or sick: </b>This heat!</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Labor Signs:</b> No</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Symptoms:</b> Exhaustion.<br /><b>Belly Button in or out?</b> in<br /><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> on</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Happy or Moody most of the time: </b>Happy!<br /><b>Looking forward to: </b>Our 20 week ultrasound!</span>Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-23885133921834863352014-07-22T22:09:00.003-05:002014-07-22T22:09:39.693-05:00Week 18 #BabyWilliams2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I have been horrible at updating my pregnancy here - Which you would think I would be just as good or not better then last time around because now I am actually updating people because all our family and friends live so far away from us. But life is different then it was when I was going around this merry go round last time. Now I have a toddler to wrangle and keeping up a full time work load.<br />
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So I am 18 weeks along. Crazy to think we are almost half way though this adventure. It's been a very different pregnancy then the last one. I had MAJOR food aversion that still comes and goes from time to time. I lost all the weight I had initially gained and as of today I am a pound over my pre-pregnancy weight.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">We also found out on July 9th that we are having another boy with a 3d ultrasound!</span></div>
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<b>How far along?</b> 18 weeks</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Total weight gain:</b> 1 pound</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Nope</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>no</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Sleep: </b>I sleep anyway I can - with co-sleeping I have to work around a little 15 month old.<br /><b>Best moment last week:</b> I started feeling kicks here and there.</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Miss Anything?</b></span><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> My appetite.</span></span><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Movement:</b> A little but not too much.. </span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Food cravings: </b>Nope - I wish.<br /><b>Anything making you queasy or sick: </b>The thought of food period has a tendency to make my stomach turn.</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Labor Signs:</b> No</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Symptoms:</b> Exhaustion.<br /><b>Belly Button in or out?</b> in<br /><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> on</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Happy or Moody most of the time: </b>Happy!<br /><b>Looking forward to: </b>Finalizing a name!</span>Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-75355317089697517052014-05-03T17:04:00.002-05:002014-05-03T17:04:42.625-05:00BabyWilliams#2 - Week 7Week 7 is near a close and what a stressful week. Between my complete lack of an appetite and allergies kicking my butt we've definitely had our challenges.<br />
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It's a whole different ballgame being pregnant with a toddler then it was when you haven't created a spawn yet. When you are pregnant with your first your constantly told to take it easy, relax, pamper yourself, take nap, and so on. But when your pregnant with number 2 with a little one nipping at your heels and pulling up on your pant legs you are just a worn out momma with another on the way. You try and take cat naps when your little one is down for a nap but only long enough for a second wind since you have to start laundry and do work while he finishes his nap.<br />
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My exhaustion this time around is on a different level then it was with my first pregnancy however my endurance is much better. Raiden is having to learn that momma's tummy is not a catapult anymore. I'm not really showing really but I can't suck in my stomach. I was warned that you can start showing much earlier then you did with your first and I am thinking that is going to ring very true for me.<br />
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I am still bracing myself with the idea of having 2 babies under the age of 2. Luckily our little guy gets more and more independent by the day. He still isn't walking but I don't see that being too far off. He has become a great little eater and enjoys a MDO program once a week. I am assuming we will move up his MDO outtings to 3 times a week when #BabyWilliams2 makes it's grand entrance into the world so I can still maintain my sanity and workload.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't suck it in anymore.</td></tr>
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<b>How far along?</b> 7 weeks!</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Total weight gain:</b> 0 pounds.</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Nope but I have started my maternity buying at Buckle for this summer and fall.</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>no</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Sleep: </b>I do have to get up at least once a night to use the little girl's room<br /><b>Best moment last week:</b> Met our OB</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile;"><b>Miss Anything?</b></span><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile;"><b> </b>Laying on my stomach.</span><span style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Movement:</b> Nope.</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Food cravings: </b>More like no cravings. The thought of food pretty much disgusts me.<br /><b>Anything making you queasy or sick: </b>No.<br /><b>Gender:</b> Want to bet?</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Labor Signs:</b> No</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Symptoms:</b> Having the bladder of a hummingbird.<br /><b>Belly Button in or out?</b> in<br /><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> on</span><br style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Happy or Moody most of the time: </b>Motivated<br /><b>Looking forward to: </b>Ultrasound in 2 weeks!!</span>Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-51568335785487259542014-04-22T22:24:00.000-05:002014-04-25T15:23:13.223-05:00#BabyWilliams2You read right. #BabyWilliams2<br />
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On Wednesday, April 16 - just a couple weeks after our son Raiden's first birthday party - We found out that we are expecting a baby. I was about 10 days late, but I am still nursing so I didn't think too much of it. But I took 2 dollar store tests and both came up with barely there lines. This time I didn't record Mr. W's reaction, but I did get the type of response I expected the first time around that I didn't get! I figured if I set something up he would suspect something, so when he walked into the door from work I asked him how his day was and he replied it was a great day and asked how mine was and I just said "Well, I'm pregnant." His mouth dropped and he repeated what I just said and hugged and kissed me. I feel a odd sense of satisfaction that I actually caught him off guard this time around.<br />
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The next day I bought a package of EPT tests, I know it's silly but the dollar store tests were so hard to make out. The EPT tests both immediately came up with big fat plus signs.<br />
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I have my first prenatal appointment next week and the first ultrasound 2 weeks later. It is so surreal to be going through these motions again, and although surprised and caught off guard, we are so excited about having another baby! We are guesstimating that I am about 6 weeks currently, it is hard to pin point since I am nursing and my cycle is a little jinky.<br />
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The shock is starting to subside a bit that we are pregnant with another baby. It is very different going through the first trimester exhaustion when you are running after a 1 year old all day. I nap when I can, which is usually when my little guy naps.<br />
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I know that a lot of people tell me they don't get as excited about things with the second pregnancy as the first, that they forget the baby bump pictures, they forget to note when they felt their first kick or heard the heart beat and I am determined not to be that way. So I fully plan on blogging this pregnancy just as I did with our last. I love having this record of the ups and downs of a pregnancy. I am also thinking, if I can get Mr. W to go along with it, we might wait to find out if it is a boy or girl till delivery. Can I hold out that long? I don't know. Maybe? Doubtful. But maybe.<br />
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I am also in the process of growing out my pixie. So I might just document that as well so stick that up your pipe and smoke it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 months of growing out the hair.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUktW7hfiphDfBg3I17nB80wXloY-JbUFPUtS1iFNF0Pyb1IrmNjcdikpD6AfZ_eJHJ8jX7kbMJD6tf7PYhHjnTWDH5ioZK0lhkGqtOef4lMuxcc4I_UMPYcpLkwaQpipqzawNGx8T81Q/s1600/PicsArt_1398454503608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUktW7hfiphDfBg3I17nB80wXloY-JbUFPUtS1iFNF0Pyb1IrmNjcdikpD6AfZ_eJHJ8jX7kbMJD6tf7PYhHjnTWDH5ioZK0lhkGqtOef4lMuxcc4I_UMPYcpLkwaQpipqzawNGx8T81Q/s1600/PicsArt_1398454503608.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 weeks - I call it "Bloat Bump"</td></tr>
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<b>How far along are you? </b>6 weeks (could change pending ultrasound)</div>
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Total weight gain?</b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> 0</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Maternity Clothes? Fully intend on going the Buckle route again</b><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Stretch Marks?</b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> Just the ones that are fading from the first baby!</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Sleep: I am SO tired all the time right now.</b><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Best Moment Last Week?</b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> Finding out we were pregnant</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Movement: n/a</b><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Food Craving:</b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> Texas Mexican food!</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Anything making you queasy or sick?</b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> Nope.</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Labor signs?</b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> n/a</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Symptoms? exhaustion mainly, and tata sensitivity - nursing hurts SO much right now!</b><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Belly button in or out?</b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> innie.</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Wedding Ring on or off?</b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;"> On.</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Most common emotion? </b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Excitement</span><br />
<b style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;">Looking forward to? Our prenat appointment next week!</b><br />
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<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-53989434349492690022013-12-07T15:22:00.001-06:002013-12-07T15:22:35.896-06:00Made from scratch with love.What I am saying probably doesn't come to a shock to anyone, it is probably rather cliche actually. But I can't explain how deeply I feel it.<br />
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Becoming a mother has changed who I am immensely. I don't even know if immensely is the right word. Radically. I can feel it in my bones. Nothing is the same, everything has changed. The love I feel for my son and husband overflows. And it has put in to prospective my whole existence and everything I have pretty much ever done. How foolish I was when I was younger and what I valued as important. The little dramas I use to fill my life with, the time I invested into things and people. I really was such a silly girl, I was grown and all but I don't think I was quite yet a woman and I know that sounds funny but I really believe it to be true.<br />
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I can't say I am one of those that became a mother the second I found I was pregnant. The idea of becoming a parents was kind of terrifying to me and it took some getting use to, he was just an idea up to the time of his birth. Even as my belly grew and I could feel him - It took him being placed in my arms for everything to click. I was responsible for the tiny human being. I didn't know what to do at first, even holding him, he was just so tiny and felt so fragile. When we left the hospital initially he started choking the second we came home and I freaked out. That was followed by a trip back to the hospital for jaundice that very week and then we had a few weeks of getting into a routine before we were rattled again by the emergency surgery on his tummy. There are no words for the feelings we were having during that time. It was gut wrenching to see our little boy in pain and in trouble like he was... having to agree for this little infant to be put under and cut into in the first few weeks of life. However, it saved his life and it was a swift kick into the nitty gritty of parenthood.<br />
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Over the last several months we've learned as we've went along. He is growing so dang fast, part of me is sad to see his independence increasing but at the same time it is so exciting to see him learn and adapt. From rolling over, sitting up on his own, entertaining himself... His first tooth started coming in yesterday. I just stare in awe something. I made him from scratch.<br />
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The birth of my son was also the springboard back towards my faith, something I have from lingering away from for quite sometime. There is nothing like bringing life into this world that solidifies your faith. From finding out you are pregnant, to hearing the heartbeat for the first time, to feeling those kicks and the squirming in your belly, to having your child, the little being you made from scratch, being put into your arms. It is awe inspiring and so significant. My emotions and feelings are so much more immense and deep, I wish I had to words to translate how I feel these days. Everyday with my son is a gift and a blessing that I can't even begin to describe, Watching him grow and learn - I am SO blessed to be at home with him to be able to witness this on a day to day basis.<br />
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Getting married and having a family has shown me this whole new side of life and I am overjoyed that I am fortunate enough to experience it all. I can't help but laugh at the immaturity and things that I use to think matter. All the drama, people and insignificant things that use to fill my life that I earnestly thought mattered. In the broad scheme of things none of it did, none of them did. It was just lessons in life and really nothing more. Funny how all that happens, how quickly things that mattered so much in retrospect doesn't matter at all and truly never did.<br />
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All that really matters is this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY8PFHYjmD6NLjpJeQlG1OsKiHPIF4JXWeX9T_Gz0bmtruWcZqmgGycpGB2g4nyhPWvV2qjY6A-dgL2mRExpQVdrC_QCGxAVK6pEK7Do_rIYIyQTdc32kvphkQ7ItgiBsygpIhhucfAw/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY8PFHYjmD6NLjpJeQlG1OsKiHPIF4JXWeX9T_Gz0bmtruWcZqmgGycpGB2g4nyhPWvV2qjY6A-dgL2mRExpQVdrC_QCGxAVK6pEK7Do_rIYIyQTdc32kvphkQ7ItgiBsygpIhhucfAw/s400/IMG_1326.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-58616434300819663102013-12-07T14:58:00.000-06:002013-12-07T14:58:15.577-06:00The aftermathIt has been 257 days since we welcomed our sweet little boy into this world. 257 since delivering a 8 pound 13 ounce bundle of joy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9pcmTilZ6DyNf9p85EL0yvvfyjfTlNQ1pAdS6LqL9pgEdQyHZDPYra4mSpJLVrgL81aS5VtO-stK3NDQayghU3dSIjFF0JbEs0KlhC_U2peqSp9I2kIXS9HqGT-GjK3OZ-q1H84dBks/s1600/IMG_0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9pcmTilZ6DyNf9p85EL0yvvfyjfTlNQ1pAdS6LqL9pgEdQyHZDPYra4mSpJLVrgL81aS5VtO-stK3NDQayghU3dSIjFF0JbEs0KlhC_U2peqSp9I2kIXS9HqGT-GjK3OZ-q1H84dBks/s400/IMG_0750.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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257 days since I looked like this<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJw-PRO4reLEqqzOStvTdtRjOjLrdytO3Nbosym5sDznPDwTsW7iDN20j7qJpg8C90VTbNYgvP09nC0jrFZq6XpKUXTZfypqb5RedHV7Lbt9l_06o-jizl3FqLXlOH48jSEy5cdh4On0/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJw-PRO4reLEqqzOStvTdtRjOjLrdytO3Nbosym5sDznPDwTsW7iDN20j7qJpg8C90VTbNYgvP09nC0jrFZq6XpKUXTZfypqb5RedHV7Lbt9l_06o-jizl3FqLXlOH48jSEy5cdh4On0/s400/IMG_0736.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And I was sporting a large and in charge bump<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7khlB8pGjHZoDs-kwPI11bmN6IoFL6A49RsUUFph4Ya5RAvYiJ9stoI0o-cD5jShvN1a2jFuQmTGT8zzPiSzXyVBmoooXGrUuQTxXrOVsa2Dy9JLlziIQ9Lj1LBd3-brXsRv9IgbU4iE/s1600/39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7khlB8pGjHZoDs-kwPI11bmN6IoFL6A49RsUUFph4Ya5RAvYiJ9stoI0o-cD5jShvN1a2jFuQmTGT8zzPiSzXyVBmoooXGrUuQTxXrOVsa2Dy9JLlziIQ9Lj1LBd3-brXsRv9IgbU4iE/s640/39.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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I topped out at 235 pounds when I was pregnant, and that was with eating as healthy as I could and walking, now I wish I had continued to do mild weight training and elliptical but shoulda, coulda, woulda right? I lost 47 pounds within 2 weeks of having RJ but still had a ways to go to get back to my before pregnancy weight. I am now 180 pounds, which is my pre pregnancy weight and was my first target weight - yet my body looks nothing like it once did. My stomach is different, my hips wider, my stretch marks... ugh... don't get me started there. Luckily they have faded significantly but they are still there... but I don't know what I was expecting with a almost 9 pound baby - escaping stretch marks would have been difficult for anyone with a baby that size. I want to lose an additional 15 pounds, and after this initial 20 I have lost I am confident I can do it without the use of gimmicks and fads. I was posting postpartum pictures for a couple months after labor and delivery but haven't in several months. So without delay here is the ooey gooey unedited goodness that is the baby bump without the baby.<br />
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I am starting a squats and kettle bell which will hopefully help to tone up a bit more. Honestly I I am not super concerned with toning, probably because just when I get to my ideal toning there is a chance we will be working on baby #2 and I will be resetting right back to where I started. So I am mainly focusing on weight loss and what the scale says which I never did in the past. My goal weight is 155 - 165, which will hopefully keep me out of the 200s next go around when we decide to have another baby.<br />
<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-10501966867742295182013-10-05T21:17:00.000-05:002013-10-05T21:17:08.756-05:00Gym Class Hero QUICK update 10/5/13<h4 style="margin: 0px; position: relative;">
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<b>Starting Weight: 199</b></div>
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<b>Current Weight: 185.6 </b><br /><b>Progress: 13.4lb down</b></div>
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<b>Current Goal: 180</b></div>
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<b>5.6 pounds to go</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Courier New, Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My progress has slowed down but at least I am still making progress so I won't complain too much. I am not using the weight watchers app as closely as I should. I need to get back to using it more closely because I am sure that will increase my weight loss faster then going at it as I am now. My fast food intake is pretty much nonexistent these days and I am eating a lot less fried foods. I have maybe one regular type soda (decaf of course) maybe once ever 2 or 3 weeks but other then that the Mr and I have been trying to find safer and healthier alternatives to big chain soda in all of it's high fructose corn syrup goodness. We've cut our high fructose corn syrup intake in half already which is a great start but I am eager to eliminate even more from our diet.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Courier New, Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">For a soda alternative we totally love the brand Sprecher, which has several different types of soda. They use kola extract, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon to make a MUCH healthy alternative to the major brand soda companies and it tastes SO MUCH BETTER! I highly highly HIGHLY recommend it.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Courier New, Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">We also have tries the brand Zevia which is also caffeine free and is sweetened with stevia. I don't like it as much as Sprecher, but they do make a great lemon lime that tastes just like Sprite.</span></span></b></div>
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Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-72355463628481130262013-09-15T21:21:00.000-05:002013-09-17T21:21:57.789-05:00Gym Class Hero. Update. 9/16/13I haven't been as persistent as I would like maintaining this blog with my progress in my weight loss. And this post itself will be pretty short because I've been working this evening after a long day and I am beyond ready for bed. Juggling my many hats has me exhausted. So without further ado...<br />
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<b>Starting Weight: 199</b></div>
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<b>Current Weight: 187.2 </b><br /><b>Progress: 11.8lb down</b></div>
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<b>Current Goal: 180</b></div>
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<b>7.2 pounds to go</b></div>
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Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-2997907681211720782013-08-23T07:55:00.000-05:002013-08-23T07:55:16.633-05:00Gym Class Hero Week 4Yup. Missed a week - Work, pledge, and raising a 4 1/2 month old kept me preoccupied. Seriously, keeping up with his demands all day I don't know how the weight isn't coming off more quickly!<br />
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My progress has slowed a bit but I am still seeing progress, I cheat here and there which contributes to that. If I was more strict to adhering to the rules I am sure the pounds would shed more quickly. It isn't easy to always find a healthy and weight watchers approved meal when taking care of the little one (who will be 5 months in 2 days!)<br />
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Seasoned baked chicken has become a popular one for me, usually with some roasted veggie of some sort. It's easy and light. But I find cooking at home regardless of what I cook, as long as it isn't fried, is healthier then anything I would buy outside of the house. Right now we are in the process of fixing our diets here at the W Abode. We are trying to eliminate our use of high fructose corn syrup and that alone is helping my meal making to be healthier. However it is also what is helping making my grocery bill higher.<br />
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<b>Starting Weight: 199</b></div>
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<b>Current Weight: 191.0 </b><br /><b>Progress: 8.0lb down</b></div>
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<b>Current Goal: 180</b></div>
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<b>11.0 pounds to go</b></div>
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Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-67191561718983058822013-08-10T12:44:00.001-05:002013-08-10T12:44:02.967-05:00Gym Class Heroes Week 2I wasn't quite as strict this week as I was the previous week - I blame a lot of that on the fact that it was pledge week with my job and I haven't had the time to commit in cooking. So I tried to focus more on portion sizes more then anything.<br />
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And sadly I slept through most of the farmer's market so no fresh veggies for this family this week. I might go to the health food store tomorrow though so I can get some organic veggies and fruit.<br />
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The progress is slow, but it is progress all the same. I am also finding it to be pretty easy to keep my portion sizes down which is key. I still cheat every now and then, but with the workload, housework, and a baby I think I deserve a little cheat here and there.<br />
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<b>Starting Weight: 199</b></div>
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<b>Current Weight: 193.8 </b><br /><b>Progress: 5.2lb down</b></div>
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<b>Current Goal: 180</b></div>
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<b>13.8 pounds to go.</b></div>
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Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-58704331914516283372013-08-02T11:58:00.003-05:002013-08-02T16:57:34.938-05:00Gym Class Hero - Week 1OK so I have avoided every giving completely factual numbers when it comes to my weight gains and losses. I think even when doing my weekly pregnancy updates I would fudge numbers here and there and round. I've always been pretty self conscious about my weight and it was hard for me to see the pounds pack on. But in order to be held accountable I figure a more honest approach will help achieve my goal best.<br />
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I gained roughly 60 pounds during my pregnancy. Yes the truth is out. I lost 47 of that within 2 weeks of having my little man.<br />
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As a friend, Lindsay Fogarty, reminded me not that long ago - It took 10 months to get my body to weigh it was when I had Raiden so why would I expect it to snap back to normal overnight? I wish it did but I have a couple things working against me - I don't have a teenage metabolism anymore and I don't always have time to cook an extremely healthy meal. Me personally, I am the type of individual who needs something that can hold me accountable, it usually is my husband but he is working 70+ hours a week currently and our gym dates have been interfered with by work and you know this little baby of ours. So after some thought I decided to sign up for Weight Watchers to help me with staying on track with what I eat on a daily basis.<br />
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Last Saturday I weighed in at 199lb. I weighed in today and am now at 195.4lb. It's a start.<br />
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My June 2012 weight was 180 lb. so that is my first goal is to get back to where I was then.<br />
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My second goal will be to lose an additional 25 pounds and ultimately weigh in at 155 pounds and to bring my BMI down from 27 to 22.<br />
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My third goal is to start participating in community runs next Spring.<br />
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So here we go. The first of many posts hopefully sharing my triumphs week to week!<br />
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<b>Starting Weight: 199</b></div>
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<b>Current Weight: 195.4 </b><br />
<b>Progress: 3.6lb down</b></div>
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<b>Current Goal: 180</b></div>
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<b>15.4 pounds to go.</b></div>
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Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-62497817319216206522013-08-01T22:30:00.000-05:002013-08-02T10:54:31.810-05:00July.My blogging is so nonexistent these days. I'm too busy raising a child, working and preparing for my first long distance pledge drive, and still steadily unpacking. The unpacking being probably my most least accomplished tasks.<br />
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My little man is 4 months old now. I can't believe how quickly time has gone by and all the changes my family has faced in such a short amount of time. We are settling in well in Oklahoma. In June the husband had a business trip so I went to Texas to see my parents with the little man and he got to experience his first plane ride. I can't tell you the stress of flying with a infant by yourself. I had a bag for me, a bag for him, his stroller and car seat, and his diaper bag. I waddled over to the shuttle bench and once I got dropped off at the airport and was checking in I realized I had forgotten the car seat base. I had no time to go and get it so for the trip his car seat had to be seatbelted in during our stay in Dallas. It was so nice to see my family - I know we had really just moved but Oklahoma was a big transition, especially with an infant, and everything felt so foreign.<br />
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My new quest is in researching cloth diapers. There is this whole world of terminology and information that I admit it is quite overwhelming but I think in August we are going to attempt it. I will keep you up to date on that adventure.<br />
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I am also going to start doing weight loss posts that I will work on through the week but will post on Fridays when I weigh in. I will go further into that in the post I will be putting up shortly after this one.<br />
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Well, I am off to be a momma to a screaming baby who doesn't realize he is tired. Oh the joy of babyhood.Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-17722509669428551142013-07-02T02:58:00.002-05:002013-07-02T02:58:35.292-05:00Hello Stranger.So I haven't posted in FOREVER, I sincerely apologize, been kind of busy raising a baby! So much has happened in our life in the last few months.<br />
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In May, when Raiden was just 6 weeks old we had quite a scare. For 2 weeks he had started to spit up large quantities, well that is what everyone was telling me it was - spit up. I kept saying he was throwing up because there was just so much of it with every feeding. 2 doctors and a nurse practitioner kept reassuring me that it was just reflux and that he was fine and to make his feedings shorter. Well on the day of May 4th I was fed up, the husband and I went to go eat brunch with our little man, and during brunch I had to change him twice and used 3 spit up rags because of his "spit up" - following brunch the husband went to work and I went to my parents. It was there that I held him as he slept and he would throw up every 15 minutes or so from feeding to feeding. Around 4PM I noted that he had only had 2 barely wet diapers all day and so I called our doctors after hours hotline and our ped's partner answered and told me to take him to the ER because my concern of dehydration was very real. I picked up Mr. W on our way to the hospital and they got us in a room quickly, unfortunately things slowed down after that. The ER doctor insisted he was just dehydrated and needed some pedialyte, which was frustrating because I told him very firmly that Raiden couldn't keep ANYTHING down, it wasn't like I was not trying to hydrate him - nor did I see him again after he instructed us that he just needed hydration (probably because he was embarrassed!). Raiden wouldn't take the pedialyte and the nurse said to just nurse, I didn't want to because at this point I think it hurt Raiden when he threw up and I knew it would happen. But they insisted so we nursed and within 5 minutes he was vomiting it back up. At this point we were left alone for quite awhile, and it was during this time that I could hear the nurses in the hallway discussing that it was just spit up and it was normal and I was just a paranoid first time mom, which just infuriated me as they went on and on... Then the ped doctor who had instructed me to come to the ER in the first place came in, and he was our saving grace - it feels like everything went super fast after that but all in all we were in the ER for about 9 hours before we left. He listened to what was going on and said he had 2 concerns that it was either reflux or pyloric stenosis. He ordered a ultrasound and while we waited he tried to put an IV in Raiden's hands. He was so severely dehydrated though his veins were super tiny and they couldn't get one in and blew the veins in his hands. Then they sent us to the ultrasound. Every 4-5 minutes we had to stop the ultrasound to roll him on his side so he could vomit, twice we had to pick him up and clear his airways cause he was choking. It was clear that his condition worsened significantly that day and no one was telling me it was just spit up anymore. His pyloric sphincter was only suppose to be 6-7cm and his was 16... in other words the muscle that allows processed food from the stomach to the digestive system kept growing after birth and had grown so large it had sealed off the digestive system from the stomach so the only place for food to go once it was in the stomach and broken down was right back up and he was literally starving to death, surgery was required - I called my mom in the hallway sobbing and she & my sister rushed to the hospital to be there with us and my father in law came as well... I was inconsolable. So we went back to our room and there were 3 nurses waiting to try and get an IV in Raiden's arm. Seeing your little one at just 6 weeks being held down as they put a needle in him and tried to get it into a vein is one of the hardest things to watch and endure. I had to leave the room several times because I was in tears at watching him in so much pain and not understanding what was happening and my father in law and mother stayed in there with him.<br />
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Eventually they got the IV in and wrapped and we were told that we were going to be taking an ambulance ride to a town 2 hours away that had a pediatric surgeon waiting to perform surgery on our little baby boy. Mr. W went home to pack bags and Raiden and I waited for the ambulance. I rode in the ambulance with Raiden in his car seat strapped to a bed and Mr. W drove behind us up to the town 2 hours away. We got to the hospital at around 6AM, my little man did so good and slept the whole way. Once we got there he woke up horribly upset and it took a good 45 minutes to calm him down and get him back to sleep and at that point the husband and I were able to get about 2 hours of sleep before they came and woke us up for surgery. I carried my little boy to another room where they were doing the paperwork for the surgery and I had to hand him to a nurse as I signed papers to let them put him under and all that jazz. I was an emotional wreck. We kissed him and they took him off to surgery where they cut a one inch incision in his tummy to cut his pyloric sphincter. The surgery took about an hour before they brought him back to his room. Seeing him lay there moaning was heartbreaking, but I was so thankful that the surgery was successful.<br />
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Raiden in recovery</div>
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From there we waited a couple hours and then had to bottle feed him 40cc of pedialyte, couple more hours we did 40cc of pedialyte 20cc pumped breastmilk, couple more hours it was 30cc pedialyte 30cc pumped milk, couple hours later 20cc pedialyte 40cc pumped milk, and a couple hours later we were able to do 60cc of pumped breastmilk - he threw it up within 20 minutes, but the nurses reassured us that probably had to do with the thickness of breastmilk and so we attemped another 60cc of breastmilk a couple hours later and he successfully kept it down. Thru the next day every 2 hours he would get 60cc of breastmilk. Towards late morning we were so happy because he was starting to get very angry that he was only getting 60cc of pumped milk, he was expressing the want to nurse and he wanted a lot more then 60cc and we were given the go ahead to nurse and boy did he go to town! We were released that day.</div>
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The day we got to go home, 5/6/13</div>
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Going home outfit from the hospital!</div>
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You wouldn't have even known he had a life threatening issue 2 days later, he was eating up a storm and as alert and active. I can't tell you the relief I felt.</div>
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So that was the first part of May, then on May 14 my husband was offered his own store and we found out we would be moving to Oklahoma and we had to be there with a place to live confirmed by June 2. So we found a cute cottage home on Craigslist of all places and on June 1 we packed up our little family and made the 2 day drive to our new home in Oklahoma.</div>
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So as you can see a lot of changes in our household. I will go into further detail later. But that is enough for one sitting. I have a kiddo to attend to!</div>
<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-85345722120168181912013-04-03T13:20:00.003-06:002013-04-03T13:20:55.938-06:00IntroductionsWell, it's been over a week since our little man entered the world and I really wanted to find the time to take and to write out our birth story before it get's any blurrier then it already has. So without further ado...<br />
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Our birth plan went completely out the window. Seriously, pretty much none of it went as anticipated or hoped for but when all is said and done I am still perfectly happy with our labor and delivery, even if it wasn't the textbook natural birth with the soft music in the background and serenity that I might of been planning on.<br />
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We went to the hospital Monday morning at about 5AM, we were running late and I think both of us were a bundle of nerves about what to anticipate that day. We arrived to labor and delivery to be admitted. Our first nurse was Christine, she was super nice, only problem was even after I warned her of my small rolling veins she insisted on taking a IV needle to my hand and dig around for about 10 minutes before going and getting another nurse with more experience. We ran into the same problem when it came to draw blood and it took 3 nurses to find a viable vein to draw from. They checked my dilation and I was 2 cm and 85-95% effancement. It wasn't until 7 that the pitocin was started at 2ml an hour, but 7 happened to be the nurse shift change so the 2ml was bumped to 4ml within maybe 5 minutes. This is where it got boring to me, waiting for contractions to start. I waited and waited and felt nothing, so in boredom I grabbed my makeup bag and proceeded to do my makeup and hair. Then I sat there texting away waiting to feel anything. The nurses would come in about every 15 - 30 minutes and ask if I felt anything and I would say no and then they would proceed to bump up the pitocin by 2ml. It was just before 9 when the nurse came in and suggested I roll over to my left side and the pitocin was pushed to 10ml an hour. Within minutes I felt my first labor contraction, the best way to explain it was just a really heavy menstrual cramp that came and went. by 9:15 I was having these heavy cramps were 2 minutes apart for about 47 seconds at a time. At first it really wasn't that bad. I held Mr. W's hand as they reached peaks and he would talk me through them. They had checked my dilation and I was at about 3 - 3 1/2 cm and had thinned out little. I hated the cervical check, it was worse then the contractions at that point. Within an hour my contractions went from heavy menstrual cramps to much being much more intense, I was still joking and talking in between contractions though and able to work through them as Mr. W counted down the last 10 seconds of each one for me. They would do cervical checks every hour, unfortunately TWICE because there was a nursing student there that had to do it as well. I went from 3cm to 5 cm in an hour, then 5cm to 8 - It was that time of the rapid increase of 5 to 8 that I started asking Mr. W if he would be disappointed in me if I used pain medication. I was gripping the rails and asking Mr. W not to touch me as politely as possible... I was just trying to work through it by myself in silence. The pain was excruciating but I was so committed in not using an epidural that I asked the nurse what other pain management I could use and they suggested demoral. I agreed to take the demoral to take the edge off and they brought a bag and connected it to my IV, one contraction in I realized I needed more then just the edge taken off and asked my husband for the epidural as the contraction was peaking, with my breathing I would take my big inhale and exhale the word 'epidural' to him. He called the nursing station and let them know I wanted the epidural, of course it was my luck that the anesthesiologist was about to head into a c-section and she was going to try to get to me before the surgery. Yeah, that didn't happen so they told me I had a good hour and a half that I had to get through before she would be available. At this point the dang small amount of demoral I had received had kicked in and I started falling asleep in between my contractions. They slowed the pitocin down significantly to ease the pain but at that point I was too far gone. I had another cervical check and I was at 9cm and the urge to push was vaguely starting to happen during each contraction. I didn't want to tell them because I was afraid that doing so would mean I couldn't get an epidural and I was sure I could resist the urge, but of course it was pretty evident where I was at in labor. I knew they were thinking i probably wouldn't be able to get the epidural come 1PM because I was 9cm and the anesthesiologist was still out, but thank GOD that close to 2 they said those magical words, she was here. They asked if I was able to stay still while they put the epidural in, sane Randi would have said no because these contractions felt like someone was ripping out my intestines, but desperate pain stricken Randi said I would figure out a way. I had 8 off the chart contractions while they were putting the epidural in I grasped on to Mr, W's hands and stared straight into his eyes to focus on remaining still - I still don't know how I did it considering my contractions were less then a minute apart and were one on top of the other. Once the epidural was in I felt about 10 more contractions before everything went numb from the waist down. From that point forward I would consider the rest of labor to be pretty pleasant. The two nurses and Mr. W coached me through about an hour of pushing and holding my legs up. The pushing was weird because I honestly didn't feel anything and I was never quite sure if I was pushing, I just kept focusing on pushing with my abdomen and from all the "Good Jobs!" and "You're doing great each time I pushed I figure I did it somehow, at one point they said that I had birthed his hair, I was confused and then they had me reach down and feel the top of his head and all that hair - it was surreal to say the least. Then the OBGYN came and finished the job with some more instructing of pushing and a small episiotomy. When researching labor and delivery the thought of an episiotomy scared the hell out of me but looking back I know it was either going to be an episiotomy or a tear. It was shortly after that small incision that my little man came into the world. It was crazy to see my stomach deflate as the doctor pulled him out and there he was, I didn't expect to cry but the tears came flowing the second I put eyes on him, with a quick wipe down from the doctor's hands to the nurse in just a couple seconds my son was placed on my chest and I just stared in awe. I will never be able to accurately explain the feelings and emotions that swirled through me in that moment.<br />
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And then there were 3...<br />
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<b>Introducing Raiden Jensen Williams, </b></div>
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<b>he came in to this world on March 25, 2013 at 4:01PM </b></div>
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<b>weighing 8lb 13oz and measuring 21 1/2 inches long.</b></div>
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Being treated for jaundice 2 days after being released from the hospital</div>
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<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-40445339634756986912013-03-22T19:00:00.000-06:002013-03-22T19:00:04.600-06:00Dear Son,Dear Son,<br />
<br />
I am mere days from meeting you yet I know you so personally, so intimately, holding you for the first time will be as though I am gaining a piece of my that I never knew I was missing. I will cradle you in my arms, sun up and sun down and provide everything I humanly can. We loved you before we knew you even existed, and we have talked to you daily, your daddy gives you kisses on my tummy. We've treated this gift with such care as you grow everyday. It all seemed so surreal to us at first, but as we had our first ultrasound, got to feel the first kick, and then got to physically see you moving within my womb you've become more and more real to us, and now we have just a matter of days before you are in our arms and we start this whole new journey as a family of 3.<br />
<br />
I pray for guidance, guidance on raising you to be a good man. You will grow and we will teach to the best of our abilities. We will make mistakes as will you. We will fight and not see eye to eye. You will think you hate us at times, and sometimes we will be so frustrated with you that we won't be able to stand it. I will cry... Lord knows I will cry. I will cry the first time I lay eyes on you, I will cry the first time I see you in pain, I will cry when I can't figure out why you won't quit crying, I will cry your first day of school and your last day of school. I will cry the day you meet "the girl" and will cry when you take her hand in marriage. We will be here to talk to you about life, to cheer you on in the stands, to give a shoulder to cry on, to give a hand to help you up, to give you an ear to listen, to give you advice to take.<br />
<br />
I hope and pray that we are able to raise you into a man just as great as your daddy and I hope that you never doubt our unconditional and steadfast love that we have had for you since the moment we knew of your existence. We love you a million times over & we can't wait to meet you.<br />
<br />
Your mom.Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-13597494235444137662013-03-22T15:04:00.000-06:002013-03-22T15:04:16.435-06:00Week 39Well here we are with my last weekly update. We are in our last 3 days one way or another. I'll admit it's been a rough few days and I anticipate a rough couple days ahead as well. There is nothing like the weight of a 7+ pound baby on your bladder on top of a UTI. Yup. The two combined equals a world of hurt and misery. There were 2 negative cultures in the course of a week and a half before there was finally a positive UTI culture was found on Monday. I'm on Augmentin now, which I will remain on through Sunday just in time for the scheduled induction! Luckily I am on the mend and feeling much better!<br />
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Week 39 has brought with it the blatant and obviousness that I am done with being pregnant. Yup, I am completely over it. I love this little boy and I am ready to be holding him in my arms. Baby W has pretty much 2 1/2 days to decide to come on his own, otherwise we will be induced medically at the hospital on Monday morning.. I am so full of emotions and thoughts in this last week I can't even begin to express everything going on in my head, I am literally days away from meeting this little guy who has been camped out in my tummy for months and months... who started out as nothing but a bunch of cells and a unexpected positive on a pregnancy test and now here we are. Brace yourself world... Baby W is on his way.<br />
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<b>How far along are you? </b>39 Weeks && 4 Days!</div>
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<b>Total weight gain?</b> 33lb.</div>
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<b>Maternity Clothes? </b>Nope, wearing a lot of sweats or sundresses though thanks to the warm weather!</div>
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<b>Stretch Marks?</b> No more... unfortunately no less.</div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>This week has sucked thanks to the UTI I was up for hours at a time multiple times a night. Now that I am on the mend though I wake up maybe once a night.</div>
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<b>Best Moment Last Week?</b> Just getting another week closer to getting to see my little boy!</div>
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<b>Movement: </b>I can tell he wants out as much as I am ready to have him out!</div>
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<b>Food Craving:</b> Anything spicy... but that's more of a ploy to go into labor more then a 'craving.'</div>
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<b>Anything making you queasy or sick?</b> Nope.</div>
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<b>Labor signs?</b> A few contractions here and there. </div>
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<b>Symptoms?</b> Just this big ol' tummy!</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b> flat.</div>
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<b>Wedding Ring on or off?</b> Keeping it on a necklace still just to be cautious.</div>
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<b>Most common emotion?</b> Excited.</div>
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<b>Looking forward to? </b>Our baby boy making his appearance any day!</div>
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<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-9051464467233325762013-03-11T20:00:00.000-06:002013-03-12T10:51:07.245-06:0038.Week 38!<br />
<br />
Can anyone really believe we are nearing the end of this journey? That technically I could go in to labor ANY MINUTE!? I sure as hell can't! It feels like this pregnancy has flown by, at least the last trimester - which I am thankful for because it really is true what they say... the third trimester is by far the roughest. Don't get me wrong compared to many women out there my pregnancy has still been pretty Easy Street Ville, but that doesn't hinder the fact that I am pretty uncomfortable. What has taken the biggest beating? My bladder! As Baby W continues his decent into the pelvic region this little guy has added extra pressure to everything down there. I can't stand or walk without the need to know where the nearest lady's room is. That has by far been the most frustrating and uncomfortable of all that I have faced during this pregnancy. I have no tolerance for it. So it's been suggested that I get a lot more rest, lay down more and get pressure off my lady bits for some relief which I gladly do.<br />
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In other news we are 2 days away from our 38 week doctor visit, unfortunately my doctor is out of town however his nurse practitioner will be seeing me and doing a membrane sweep to try to induce labor. I didn't even know what a membrane sweep was until I was in my third trimester and googled 'inducing labor' and it was one of the many things that popped up. Membrane sweeps are performed by your doctor (or in this case my nurse practitioner) during an internal examination, they sweep their finger around your cervix which separates the membranes of the amniotic sac surrounding the baby from the cervix which releases a hormone that can induce labor. Membrane sweeps don't always work but they do have the potential to. I have my fingers crossed that this sweep or the one at 39 weeks is effective because as we all know I don't want to be induced with pitocin on my due date! I'm also trying to walk more, bounce on a yoga ball... and whatever else is suggested that could help Baby W decide to make his appearance early, but I know he is stubborn like his mama and will come whenever he is good and ready and there isn't much I can do to sway him otherwise.<br />
<br />
Speaking of being stubborn, I think my hormones might be getting the better of me. I'm learning that at this present time, when it comes to my child... boy oh boy can I hold a grudge like nobody's business. If you've been MIA pretty much my entire pregnancy don't expect me to go out of my way to make you feel involved or to really discuss anything regarding my pregnancy or little family with you, "family," friend, or acquaintance. If you've made no attempt to be involved don't expect me to give you the courtesy of trying to involve you.<br />
<br />
I forgot to take a picture today but I will post a quick one in the AM at some point. Is it crazy to think about how this could very well be my last baby bump picture!? On one hand it will be weird to have my stomach begin shrinking back down but on the other I am SO ready to be able to get out of bed without it feeling like a physical chore.<br />
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<i>38 weeks 1 day</i></div>
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<b>How far along are you? </b>38 Weeks!</div>
<b>Total weight gain?</b> 33lb.<br />
<b>Maternity Clothes? </b>Still sporting the same gear.<br />
<b>Stretch Marks?</b> Has stayed the same.<br />
<b>Sleep: </b>Pretty much the same as last week.<br />
<b>Best Moment Last Week?</b> Getting to full term!<br />
<b>Movement: </b>More defined, just cause he is running out of room I can feel every little movement.<br />
<b>Food Craving:</b> Same.<br />
<b>Anything making you queasy or sick?</b> Nope.<br />
<b>Labor signs?</b> He is moving lower into my pelvis. Contractions aren't really happening much.<br />
<b>Symptoms?</b> Having to pee every 15 minutes. Yeah... It's super.<br />
<b>Belly button in or out?</b> flat.<br />
<b>Wedding Ring on or off?</b> I can still put it on but I am keeping it around my neck still in case of sudden swelling.<br />
<b>Most common emotion?</b> Excited.<br />
<b>Looking forward to? </b>Hopefully having this membrane sweep work in a couple days!<br />
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Baby W is the size of a Pumpkin!</div>
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Due Date Countdown : 13 days!!!</h3>
<br />Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-56823663377000454962013-03-05T19:30:00.000-06:002013-03-06T11:33:27.319-06:0037 Weeks! Full term baby!There is light at the end of the tunnel! With week 37 here it means that Baby W is considered full term, meaning if Baby W was to want to make his appearance now they wouldn't stop my labor and the chances are high that his lungs are fully developed and will adjust well to life outside the womb. Hard to believe we are at that point already. As much as I have tried to continue to stay upbeat and positive I have to admit that I am getting a little tired of being pregnant, or at least tired of some of the symptoms that seem to plague me. My hips are hurting more and more each day, I swear if I didn't know better I would have thought that I pulled a groin muscle. My right bottom rib aches pretty much on a constant basis. And I get up 2 - 4 times a night to visit the bathroom. All in all I got off pretty easy, I know I could feel miserable and be dealing with a plethora of other symptoms that I have luckily avoided like the severe morning sickness and hemorrhoids so I really shouldn't be complaining. However, at this point I can't imagine getting any bigger then I already have... I feel like my tummy is at maximum capacity.<br />
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I had a prenatal massage today. Oh. My. Gosh. Simply heaven, if only for the mere fact I got to lay on my stomach thanks to the special bed pillow they use for us knocked up gals. It was an hour of pure bliss, unfortunately the second I stood up from my massage my body made it perfectly clear that 'Hey, you're 9 months pregnant you didn't think that the relaxation and comfort was going to last past this comfy bed, oils, and unnecessarily calming music that almost made you fall asleep did you!? Hahaha...' Yeah, that's pretty much exactly what my body said to me. But hey... for 60 undisturbed minutes I was happy as a clam. I was also dangerously close to committing a crime and stealing the pregnancy pillow that was applied to the bed that allowed me to lay on my tummy, but I figure I don't want to deliver my baby in the clank so I left the pillow there.<br />
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<b>How far along are you? </b>37 weeks!</div>
<b>Total weight gain?</b> 33lb.<br />
<b>Maternity Clothes? </b>Still sporting the same gear.<br />
<b>Stretch Marks?</b> Just the 2. Dammit. Still slathering on lotion at a ridiculous pace to prevent them getting bigger or getting more heaven forbid!<br />
<b>Sleep: </b>I am waking up 2 - 4 times a night to pee, and I usually take those opportunities to lay back down on alternate sides. I am waking up with pretty severe hip pain now though.<br />
<b>Best Moment Last Week?</b> Our birth month got here!!<br />
<b>Movement: </b>Constant.<br />
<b>Food Craving:</b> Same.<br />
<b>Anything making you queasy or sick?</b> Nope.<br />
<b>Labor signs?</b> Apparently my hip/groin pain is signs that Baby W is getting into position and I am having sporadic light contractions.<br />
<b>Symptoms?</b> Exhaustion and a lot of "down there" pressure.<br />
<b>Belly button in or out?</b> flat.<br />
<b>Wedding Ring on or off?</b> It could be on but just to be safe I wear it around my neck now.<br />
<b>Most common emotion?</b> Impatient for his arrival.<br />
<b>Looking forward to? </b>Thursday. Here is hoping I am further dilated! It's Operation Get this Baby Out time now!<br />
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<b>20 Days till our Due Date / Induction Date!</b></h3>
Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-69951973469015797622013-02-28T07:30:00.000-06:002013-02-28T09:48:08.764-06:00Week 36!Well here we are, our last week before Baby W is considered full term! We are 29 days away from our estimated due date of March 25th! This pregnancy has been a pretty easy one thankfully (knock on wood!) and I've really enjoyed every minute of it - About 2 days ago or so though it started to kick in, as Baby W is running out of room I find his foot lodged into my rib cage on a pretty regular basis. He is starting to pack on about an ounce a day of weight and is close to 6 pounds now roughly according to the standard growth pace at 36 weeks. With that comes extra pelvic pressure, bladder pressure, and severe lower back pain. Yup, at 36 weeks I can officially say I am pretty uncomfortable on a regular basis. At this point doing anything has become a chore of great magnitude. At our last doctor appointment they did the oh so fun Strep B test and then the doctor checked for dilation of my cervix. He was disappointed to find that I had only dilated to 1cm and he was wanting that dilation to be a 2 or 3cm. So I was put on orders to be more active and do more walking and activities... a far cry from the week before and being told to rest more and get that blood pressure down, but considering my blood pressure when back down to 128/85 they seem less concerned with my blood pressure.<br />
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Last night was rough, I had my first real stint of nausea occur, of course it was when we were out for dinner and I didn't even get to my entree before I had to excuse myself to the bathroom to go throw my brains up! Then we went home and I rested, my stomach looked like a scene from alien as Baby W was stretching his feet out against my stomach wall making it protrude in all sorts of crazy ways. I swear my kid is already preparing to be a MMA fighter and had me wincing in pain quite a bit. I wouldn't change it for the world though. It is so crazy to to physically see him moving around and boy let me tell you he is super active on a constant basis. It has started making work and minor tasks more and more difficult though. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am super thankful to have such a supportive and helpful husband through all of this because I couldn't do it without him!<br />
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<i>36weeks3days</i></div>
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<b>How far along are you? </b>36 weeks today!</div>
<b>Total weight gain?</b> 32.5 lb..<br />
<b>Maternity Clothes? </b>I bought a couple more larger Buckle tops but no additions to the maternity purchases.<br />
<b>Stretch Marks?</b> Seems to not be increasing any. Whew.<br />
<b>Sleep: </b>I wake up about 2 times a night, getting to sleep is starting to be difficult just because of the discomfort.<br />
<b>Best Moment Last Week?</b> We got our crib in this weekend<br />
<b>Movement: </b>Constant.<br />
<b>Food Craving:</b> Same.<br />
<b>Anything making you queasy or sick?</b> Nope.<br />
<b>Labor signs?</b> I am 1cm Dilated. Wah wah.<br />
<b>Symptoms?</b> A lot more movement and lots of lower pressure starting.<br />
<b>Belly button in or out?</b> flat.<br />
<b>Wedding Ring on or off?</b> On, however I am about to start wearing it around my neck because I don't want to risk it getting stuck!<br />
<b>Most common emotion? </b>Anxious for March!<br />
<b>Looking forward to? </b>Next doctor appointment on Wednesday. Here is hoping I am dilated further!!!<br />
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Baby W is the size of a honeydew!</div>
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Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210561493108337565.post-18136675548622609952013-02-27T21:00:00.000-06:002013-03-06T10:39:49.757-06:00The dreaded "I" wordI knew the discussion would come up eventually. Despite my resistance and persistence I knew. My doctor had made it quite clear he didn't like pregnancies getting past the 41 week mark. But at 36 weeks I thought we still had time before this discussion was had.<br />
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Induction.</div>
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My doctor was called away for an emergency c-section so I got to visit with his assistant who fills in when he is off delivering babies and whatnot. The conversation started with a question, which was encouraging.</div>
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<b>How do you feel about talking about medical induction?</b></div>
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I quickly shot it down, saying I don't talk about it because I don't believe in it especially at this point and in a pregnancy that has had no complications. But of course I get the spill, they feel better scheduling a induction date now so come my due date coming and going I will have a spot secure to make sure I don't make it to 41 weeks. I was hesitant to say the least, but these were my doctor's policies and I didn't see winning the argument. So I stressed how important it was that it be pretty much the 41st week before I would be okay with it. They seemed to understand and encouraged more physical activity and such in hopes that labor could be induced naturally.</div>
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About an hour later I got a call with my induction date. March 25th. For those who have been keeping up, when is my due date? March 25th. Yup my wishes were completely ignored and if this kid hasn't decided to make an appearance before his due date doctors want to stick an IV in me and force him out.<br />
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At first I was super frustrated with this decision as was Mr. W. But after a little but of time to come to terms I am determined to look at the brighter sides of things. In no less then 26 days I will be holding my son regardless. I am scared about the thought of using pitocin and how much more painful the contractions will be. I am going to ask for membrane sweeps starting on week 38. A membrane sweep is done during a routine internal examination, usually when they are checking for dilation. The doctor sweeps his finger around the cervix (the neck of the womb) separating the membranes from the amniotic sac surrounding your baby from the cervix which causes prostaglandin hormones to be released which can kick start labor. Not all women approve of this invasive procedure but I feel faced with either a medically induced labor with pitocin or a membrane sweep I would prefer the latter, I feel like I have a better shot of withstanding labor and not being as tempted to allow an epidural if I go into labor via the sweep rather then with pitocin.<br />
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So there you have it... Looks like we are just days away from holding Baby W in our arms and starting this new chapter of our life. I can't begin to express the many emotions running through me. I am scared to death, but excited at the same time to enter this thing called Mommyhood.</div>
Randi Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02662823803555023229noreply@blogger.com0