Menu Monday!

Okay, so I'm getting a little better, eh? Well, I'm trying anyway. Today I'm going to start a new weekly blog post called Menu Monday. I got the idea from a blog I follow: Blessings, Miracles, & Thoughts in Between. So here it is:

Monday: Chicken & Scallop Cajun Fettuccine Alfredo (yum!)
--It's actually suppose to be shrimp, but...I hate shrimp, so I'm substituting with Chicken!
Tuesday: Chili
--I'm so excited it's started to get more and more chilly outside, because I love me some soup. And Gabriel LOVES Chili!
Wednesday: Salsa Chicken Wraps
--Delish! And so easy to make!
Thursday: Leftovers!
--I'm sure we will have all sorts of leftovers from the Chili & Salsa Chicken! *I like to cook for 20 and often forget I'm only cooking for 3. Womp Womp...
Friday: Tuna Noodle Casserole
--super easy to make and throw in the fridge for Josh to cook right before I get home on lunch break!
Saturday: Leftovers!
--Remember how I said I usually cook for 20??? Yep, we frequently have lots of leftovers.
Sunday: Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
--Haven't tried this yet, but it sounds yummy! My parents went to Alaska on vacation, thus I have lots of salmon and halibut! *and some game meats too--bear, moose, buffalo!*  :)

So, that's what we're having this week! What are you gonna eat? Also, I will post pictures and recipes on each of my days if anyone wants to try them out! (The whole 10 people who follow me that is, haha.)

A day in the life of our family!

Okay, so I pretty much suck. At blogging that is. I even vowed to blog on my vacation, and still didn't/haven't. Oh well...you are used to it by now. I'm currently tallying up how many words Gabriel can say now. I swear every day a new one pops up. It's crazy how much he can talk now...and even putting sentences together. I think I'm going to have to do a post on just one day of his conversations just to show you how well he can talk and how many funny things he says. But for now, I wanted to show you just how crazy our "schedule" is, and thus why I hardly ever blog.
4:50am--Josh wakes up for work
5:30am--Kellie wakes up to nurse
5:45am--Kellie falls back to sleep
9:15am--Gabriel comes into our room and wakes us up for the day
9:30am--Change Gabriel & Kellie's Diapers
9:45am--Turn on cartoons and lay Kellie down on her piano mat for playtime
10:00am--Josh comes home on break; cook breakfast
10:30am--Nurse Kellie; feed her a veggie and fruit
10:45am--Naptime for Kellie
11:00-12:30pm--cook lunch and supper; play with Gabriel; clean the house
12:45--Eat lunch, nurse Kellie
1:00pm--Take a shower with two kids, get them dressed for the day
1:15pm--snack time for Gabriel
1:30pm--nurse Kellie to sleep
1:40pm--Pack up the kiddos and leave to meet Josh at work
2:30pm-4:30/5pm--Kiddos take a nap
(2:00pm-6:00pm--I'm at work/4:30pm--I pump)
6:00pm--supper/break
6:20pm--nurse Kellie; feed her a veggie and fruit
6:45pm--Give the kiddos a quick bath and in pj's
7:00pm--I go back to work, Kiddo's play/watch cartoons
8:00pm--Gabriel eats a snack
9:00pm--Kellie has a bottle/I pump at work
9:15pm--Kellie takes a nap, Gabriel watches a cartoon
10:30pm--I come home from work, Josh goes to bed, I nurse Kellie
10:50pm--Gabriel goes to bed (kicking and screaming usually); I lay down with him or sit on his bed while rocking Kellie and singing lullabies
11:30pm--all kids are (hopefully) asleep and I watch my T.V. shows
12:30am-1:00am--I go to sleep

And then it starts all over again. Blech....I wish our schedule was better, but right now thats how it is. Busy huh???

Updates!

Okay so I suck at blogging :( BUT, I'm going to change. I plan on blogging AT LEAST 3x a week, if not more. I got this idea from The Paro Post and thought it would be a good thing to do with Kellie, since I kinda sucked with updates with Gabriel. I will start them with him too, but have a LOT to catch up on. So for now here are the first 4 months of Kellie's life :)

I will be on vacation starting tomorrow, so maybe I can actually catch this blog up!

Updates!!!

Wow....I'm a sucky blogger! Life has me completely swamps :) These two are amazing. Gabe is a wonderful big brother and loves "Kale-we" very much! It warms my heart! Okay so until I can come up with everything that's gone on in the past 3ish months (what?!?!? How has it almost been 3 months already?!?!) here are some photo collages of Miss Kellie from birth until now :)

Weight: 9lb 8.4oz
Height: 20 inches long
Percentile: 90th

Weight: 11lb 9oz
Height: 21 3/4 inches long
Percentile: 94th

Weight: 13lb 4oz
Height: 23 3/4 inches
Percentile: 95th

Kellie Rain’s Birth Story

A Little Backstory

At 18 weeks I was diagnosed with PIH (pregnancy-induced hypertension). I was placed on blood pressure medications and monitored my blood pressure at home twice a day. My blood pressure would spike up a little, but nothing that was worrisome. That is until Tuesday, May 1st. I started to feel woozy, lethargic, and was getting headaches. I had taken my blood pressure and it was elevated, but eventually went down after I took an extra BP medication. As the hours past, it slowly creeped up--and even extra medication wouldn't keep it down longer then an hour or two. Wednesday it was 166/104. I was stubborn and waited until Thursday morning to call my doctor and get an appointment. The main reason I waited was because my doctor had been out of town the previous weekend and wouldn't be back in the office until Thursday, and since he knows my history with pre-eclampsia, PIH, and postpartum hemorrhage--I wanted him to deal with me.

The beginning of the end of Kellie's Pregnancy

At 8am on Thursday morning, May 3rd, I called the doctor’s office and asked to talk to a nurse. I told the nurse my symptoms and asked to see Dr. P. The nurse got me in, but Dr. P was booked so I was scheduled to see Dr. S at 9:30am. I went in and my blood pressure was 144/94 (which was 1 1/2 hours after I took my medication, so it shouldn't be that high), and I was symptomatic for pre-eclampsia—which I had with Gabe. Dr. S notified Dr. P of my blood pressure, and Dr. P came in right away. He did a quick assessment, checked my cervix (which hadn’t changed since Monday, April 30th), and told me we would be having a baby that day. He asked me when I would be able to arrive at the hospital so he could notify the nurses and start the orders. I still needed to pack our suitcase (Yes...I know last minute), take a shower, Josh needed to get ready, and we needed to wait until my mom and step-dad could get to the hospital--so my mom could be there for the birth and my step-dad could watch Gabriel. I told him I could be there between 1-2 pm. I then called my mom and told her to head our way, it was 2 1/2 hours from where she was. 

Arriving at the Hospital

We showed up at the hospital at 1:20pm, got checked in and settled into room, and started with the millions of admission questions. Labor & Delivery was busy, so it took a while for me to get my IV, labs, and all that good stuff. By 3:30pm my IV had been put in and the Pitocin had been started. I was already having contractions, but they didn’t amount to anything. 

Waiting for my IV

 

My board...

Waiting for something to happen!!!

The Start of Labor

Around 4:30pm they were getting intense. Josh rubbed my lower back during each contraction to help with the pain. The nurse came back in and checked me at 5:30pm and I had increased to 4cm (from 3cm 50% effaced—like I had been since 36 weeks), but still 50% effaced and -3 station. She asked if I wanted an epidural and I told her not yet—that I didn’t feel like I was in too much pain, but may change my mind in an hour or so. The nurse then came back an hour later, and checked me and I was 5cm 50% effaced, and -2 station. I requested the epidural. I received the epidural at 7pm and felt instant relief. I was soooo happy.

"This shit hurts...enough said"

I love you epirdural!

Okay....I must have been feeling really good!!!

My mountain peak contractions

Almost Ready!!!
At 8:45 they checked my cervix and I was 8cm, 100%, and -2 station, and my water was bulging. The nurse notified the doctor, and he said he was on his way. At 9:40pm he came in and said I was 10cm, 100% effaced, and still a -2 station, but my water sac was actually hanging out—so he grabbed ahold of it and tried to break it with just his fingers, but needed the amnihook to tear the sac because it was thick. They, the doctor and nurse, went and got all the supplies and told me to practice push to help get her down lower. I pushed through one contraction and was told to stop. We, the nurse, mom, Josh, and I had bets on what time she would come and how much she would weigh. When we did the practice push the nurse said that she would definitely be here before Josh’s guess, which was 10:24pm. Mom’s guess was 10:15pm and my guess was 10:05pm…the nurse said she guessed between 10:05-10:15pm.

Let the Pushing Begin

The doctor came in and got gowned up and gloves on. My mom held my right leg and Josh held my left and at my next contraction they had me push….and her head came out. They had me stop, so they could suction out her mouth and nose, then they told me to grunt with baby pushes. I did that twice then got irritated, so I pushed and out came her shoulders. The doctor said, “well she’s definitely not as big as I thought she would be!”…I got to hold her for much longer than I got to with Gabriel, mainly because I didn’t have postpartum hemorrhaging. As Josh was cutting the cord she sarted peeing all over me and the doctor, which I think is kinda funny because the nurse kinda panicked and started grabbing for towels. After snuggling her and wiping her off, I let the nurse have her to check her over. She weighed 9lb 8.4oz and was 20 inches long. Her head was 14 inch circumference!

For now her nickname is monkey. She is super hairy! She’s got dark black hair on her shoulders, neck, back and ears.. she also has dark black hair—it’s fine on top and thick and long around the back and sides (she’s like an old man haha). She has been nursing like a champ ever since birth, but does have a sensitive tummy and doesn’t handle gas well—but she makes the cutest little puppy dog/pouty face. She is a pretty calm baby though—sleeps for 4-5 hours (for now I know) and only wimpers with gas. She does hate getting an outfit changed or diaper change, but who wants uncovered and made all cold? She does have some differences from Gabe. He was fussy 24 hours after/she isn’t so far, he hated the paci/she LOVES it, he hated being swaddled/SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES it!!!

Craziness....

Kellie looks almost exactly like who she was named after--my sister, who tragically past away when she was only 18 months old. On the right is my sister, Kelly, on the left is my baby girl, Kellie. Hoping she's not as ornery as Kelly was though!

We're Alive... Promise :)

We're still getting the hang of things...mainly because Josh went back to work--so I have no time to blog or do anything other than keep Gabe occupied and keep a 3 week old alive! But I promise to update sometime soon, since Gabe is staying with his grandparents for a week. I may be able to do SOMETHING around this house, haha. Kellie is doing great; Gabe loves her...and all is well. Here is some cuteness for now! :)

Kellie Rain is Here!

I will update more when I have time, for now we are enjoying our new little girl. 

Kellie Rain
May 3rd, 2012 @ 10:05 P.M.
9lb 8.4 oz 20 inches long

Weekly Check-In: 38 Weeks!

Stats:

How far along: 

38 weeks

How big is baby: Pumpkin

At 38 weeks, baby’s probably sitting pretty low in your pelvis, which means he’s bumping into all kinds of nerves down there -- including some pretty sensitive ones you might not know you had..

Total weight gain:

+29 pounds (I gained one pound--awesome)

Doesn't it seem kinda screwed up that the week I eat pretty much fruits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and the healthy fruits at that--watermelon and strawberries mainly) I gain 8lb... but when I drink soda and eat fried foods I gain only a pound. How is that possible???

Maternity clothes?

Yes and no...I wear what fits pretty much...

Belly button in or out?

It sticks out like a sore thumb, and hurts like one too!

Sleep:

Insomnia has hit. It used to be that I would go to bed way earlier then Josh... not it's vice versa. Last night I think I finally fell asleep a little after 4am, then woke up at 8, 9, 10, 11... and then finally Gabe woke up and I stayed up. I get up to pee constantly, I toss and turn constantly... ugh! Not fun!!!!

Best moment this week: 

Finding out that I will most likely be induced Friday or Monday. I'm hoping Friday because my blood pressure has been elevated... and it's not really going up or down with rest. I'm going to call the doctor first thing in the morning to try to go in tomorrow afternoon... otherwise I have an appt. Friday.

Food Cravings: 

Anything that goes in my mouth...

Food Aversions:

None at this point

Symptoms: 

Insomnia, lower back and hip pain (to the point where I can't walk in the morning), crazy dreams, hemorrhoids, and all the other usuals. Heartburn is back with a vengeance...even taking zantac twice a day--I'm still having to pop tums..boo.. but hopefully that means she has just as much or MORE hair then our Gabriel did. :-) She has hiccups all.the.time!!!! Also having contractions...

Movement: 

I feel every.single.movement. I seriously felt her breathing the other day. Her back is right up against my hip and lower left abdomen. I woke up and had my hand right there and I could feel it going up and down like breathing...I'm not crazy, promise.

Gender: 

Miss Kellie Rain

What I'm looking forward to: 
Seeing what she looks like!!!! AHHHh I hope she has lots of black hair, I hope she's just as beautiful as Gabe was he was born. I still can't fathom being a mommy to a little girl. Having a daughter! EEEKKKK! 

What I miss: 

Normal life...haha. I want to not be emotional, moody, huge, tired, sleepless. I want to do more with Gabe--and I can't wait to get him for 6 weeks and start the beginnings of our family of 4. 

Milestones:

I'm officially 1 week more pregnant then I've ever been in my life :)

Next appointment: 

May 4th @ 2:20pm UNLESS I can get in tomorrow, which I'm hoping I can.

37 Week Comparison of Gabriel vs. Kellie (Bump)

Holy Baby Bump....and Josh doesn't think I've gotten much bigger than I did with Gabe. Ummm??? Yeah okay...

Weekly Check-In: 37 Weeks/Full Term!

Stats:

How far along: 

37 weeks

How big is baby: Watermelon

Around 37 weeks, many moms-to-be find themselves organizing cupboards and scrubbing their floors. That’s the nesting instinct kicking in as your body senses baby will be here shortly.

Total weight gain:

+28 pounds 

Yeah....8 lb weight gain in one week.. how awesome is that??? 

Maternity clothes?

Yes and no...I wear what fits pretty much...

Belly button in or out?

I seriously thought it couldn't stick out anymore, but it continues to surprise me. And it hurts like hell.

Sleep:

Ugh... Sleep is so overrated. I'm over it.

Best moment this week: 

Hmmm...That's a good question. It's been one hell of a week. I guess finding out that I'm progressing and that baby will be here sooner rather than later! *More on this to come*

Food Cravings: 

Anything that goes in my mouth...

Food Aversions:

None at this point

Symptoms: 

Insomnia, lower back and hip pain (to the point where I can't walk in the morning), crazy dreams, hemorrhoids, and all the other usuals. Heartburn is back with a vengeance...even taking zantac twice a day--I'm still having to pop tums..boo.. but hopefully that means she has just as much or MORE hair then our Gabriel did. :-) She has hiccups all.the.time!!!! Also having contractions...

Movement: 

I feel every.single.movement. I seriously felt her breathing the other day. Her back is right up against my hip and lower left abdomen. I woke up and had my hand right there and I could feel it going up and down like breathing...I'm not crazy, promise.

Gender: 

Miss Kellie Rain

What I'm looking forward to: 
Being a family of 4, of course, BUT....I really want to not be pregnant anymore---I'm in the IM DONE phase.

What I miss: 

Sleep, Energy, Fitting into clothes, Getting on the floor to play with Gabe...

Milestones:

WHOOT WHOOT!!!! FULL TERM!!!!

Next appointment: 

April 30th @ 10:30am

Weekly Check-In: 36 Weeks?!?!/9 MONTHS?!?!?!?!

Stats:

How far along: 

36 weeks

How big is baby: Coconut

Baby is getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own.

Total weight gain:

+22 pounds 

I lost 4 1/2 pounds in two weeks; yay! haha, makes this momma happy!

Maternity clothes?

Yep, but even these aren't fitting much anymore. I even had a former twin mom say that I'm bigger then when she was when she was pregnant with twins--- I was like uhh?? Thanks?? I guess....

Belly button in or out?

It's definitely out... and now it's out EVEN MORE. It's sooo sensitive. 

Sleep:

Ugh... Sleep is so overrated. I'm over it.

Best moment this week: 

Doc says I'm allowed to go into labor now :-) Not like I would be that lucky, but hey always a chance right?!?!? I'm 3-4cm dilated (I say 3-4 because my doctor has rather large fingers as said I was at a 3; With Gabe he said the same thing--but when I was checked by other doctor's they said a 4, and their fingers were "normal"??? lol) BUT only 10-20% effaced. He said my cervix feels really floppy and soft which is a good thing--just needs to thin out. It's also VERY posterior, which I tried explaining that with Gabe it never came down into an anterior position because of my tilted uterus, but he didn't believe me. Eghhh---sigh. OH well. Next check is in one week! 

Food Cravings: 

Oh things have gone crazy with my cravings/aversions. I literally HAVE to have a Dr. Pepper at LEAST once a day. Yep, the one aversion that has lasted 9 months has turned into my biggest craving right now.  Crazy right?!?! The other craving was some hot wings--and boy were those good.

Food Aversions:

Nothing really?? Fried foods don't sound good...so I'll go with that.

Symptoms: 

Insomnia, lower back and hip pain (to the point where I can't walk in the morning), crazy dreams, hemorrhoids, and all the other usuals. Heartburn is back with a vengeance...even taking zantac twice a day--I'm still having to pop tums..boo.. but hopefully that means she has just as much or MORE hair then our Gabriel did. :-) She has hiccups all.the.time!!!! Also started having BH contractions...and some real ones too.

Movement: 

She's started slowing down on movements. But when she moves my whole belly wibbles and wobbles. And each knee, foot, whatever it is that jabs my belly hurts like crazy!

Gender: 

Miss Kellie Rain

What I'm looking forward to: 
Being a family of 4. Gabe has FINALLY started saying baby-- so I can't wait until he sees the baby and puts into place that it'll be his new sister.

What I miss: 

Sleep, Energy, Fitting into clothes....

Milestones:

WHOOT WHOOT!!!! 9 MONTHS PREGNANT!!!!

Next appointment: 

April 23rd at 2pm!!! :-)