that fall feeling

It's officially been fall for almost a week now but I'm just now cooling off to the idea that fall is finally here.  I traveled back home to Nebraska this weekend and was welcomed by very cool temperatures.  I wasn't expecting nighttime lows in the 40's and I definitely didn't pack for that cool weather!  As I was driving back, I noticed some of the trees along the interstate were beginning to show signs of their change.  One of my absolute favorite parts of fall is the change in color of fall foilage.  You have to look quick, because it seems it's gone in a wink.  Last year, Hubby and I made sure to enjoy some of the changing leaves with walks in our nearby park.  We'll be sure to do that this year with Nora in tow!

Now that fall is offically here I have a few goals --- give our shrubs their final fall trim, clear out our edible garden (which was not too successful this year), buy some mums and decorate our front stoop, and add some fall touches to our home.  I hope to be back to document how we've felt fall.

nora ~ 1 month

One month...32 days today to be exact since Nora joined us and our lives have most definitely changed.  To say this first month has gone quickly is an understatement.  It's kind of scary.  I will admit, it's a bit of a relief to have the first month behind us.  While we still have a ways to go, Hubby and I are finally becoming somewhat in tune with Nora's wants and needs.  We've learned how to eat in shifts, rock and bounce, clean poop stains, survive on less sleep, and complete tasks quickly during Nora's naps.  Sometimes we nap with her.

I would love to say this first month has been a breeze, that I've adjusted brilliantly to motherhood, and that everything is just as I imagined it.  The truth is, this is hard work!  I think I'm finally adjusting to her sleep patterns.  This past weekend Hubby and I devised a system, which is working quite well for us and ensures we both get a good chunk of interrupted sleep.  Hubby wakes up for Nora's first feeding, which is anywhere between 1:00 am and 2:30 am and I wake up for Nora's second feeding, which is anywhere between 4:00 am and 5:30 am.  Before this, we were both getting up for each feeding.  Hubby would get her, change her, bring her to me, and then I would feed her, burp her, and put her back to bed.  Getting up that many times and for that length of time was more tiring than I imagined.  Hubby communicated our current plan last week after talking with his boss who said after they began splitting shifts, they finally felt human again.  I agree. 

Before baby I was a pretty structured and organized person.  I had my morning routine --- get up early, exercise, shower and get ready for the day, eat breakfast and enjoy some coffee, check my email, blogs I follow, do chores, run errands, etc. {note...these events occurred during the summer when I was not working...work days are a bit less leisurely}.  In the beginning with Nora, I was lucky to get a shower and eat breakfast.  And unfortunately, she's no longer a fan of her swing or bouncy seat so I can't keep her content in those things long enough to eat or shower.  Disappointing.  But there have been a few mornings when she's gone back to sleep after her early morning feeding and I can then get moving and get some exercise, a shower, and maybe breakfast.  And I've had to learn to be okay with it taking all day to do one load of laundry.  It's all about adjusting and being flexible...I'm working on it.  Luckily when she has her fussy times --- which believe me, she has --- we've found a few things that work like carrying her in a sling or swaddling her.

NOT a great swaddle...sorry, Grandma.

 

One of her favorite spots and she even managed to find her thumb to suck!

Even during those moments when we're tired and frustrated, we still love this little stinker.  She makes us laugh and smile a lot.  And in just one month, I cannot believe how much she has changed and is becoming her own person.

Quite a difference from her first photo at 0 months! 

caffine return

I've had a long break with Starbucks...too long.  But I'm finally getting brave and have started figuring out how to keep Nora happy in her car seat en route to the car.  Therefore, Starbucks and I were reunited today...twice.  I know...that's a bit much but I swear it was a necessity!  I had a great Mommy's morning out and coffee with my friend, Krystle (who I'd love to see blog again...),  and swung by this afternoon for a very much needed pick-me-up.  I can definitely get by on 4 to 5 hours a sleep a night with an iced coffee in my hand. 

Sorry, Starbucks.  I promise not to be such a stranger because you are VERY good to me.

my baby story ~ part 3 {finale}

Thursday, August 19.  I really didn't think I'd still be pregnant on this date.  But, I woke up --- 41 weeks and 1 day pregnant --- and sadly had a pain free night.  No contractions.  A night nurse came in around 5:15 am to unhook me so I could shower and she gave me some advice.  She had heard the doctor planned on breaking my water that day around 1 pm.  She told me to make sure I was dilated to at least a 3 before he broke my water or I would have to wait a long time for my epidural (yes, I wanted drugs).  I locked that advice in my mind and got refreshed and ready for the day.

Stefanie came in a little after 6 am.  I was so thrilled to have her as my day nurse again.  We talked a little about my night and made some predictions of when I would deliver.  She thought sometime in the evening.  A long day this could be.  She told us Moses was around the floor parting the waters --- which meant the on call doctor was on the floor breaking a lot of people's water.  Hubby and I laughed at her comparison...didn't know I'd witness his work first hand in less than an hour.

The doctor came into my room around 7 am to check my progress.  As he was checking me, I felt something warm and wet.  I looked up and said, "Did you just break my water?".  He looked at me and said, "Yep.  You were almost a 2".  A 2?!?!  Thinking back to my conversation with the night nurse...one, she said the doctor wouldn't break my water until this afternoon and two, I should be a 3 before he even considered it.  I looked at Stefanie and she gave me a reassuring look.  No backing out now.  She started my pitocin drip and we were off.

When they say things start moving along when your water breaks they are a little off.  Things move VERY fast.  Breaking my water, along with the pitocin drip, sent my contractions into overdrive.  Whatever contractions I thought I was feeling yesterday were nothing like what I was experiencing.  It's really hard to explain the feeling but it was pretty sharp and intense and even though I tried to relax, I felt like my whole body went rigid with each contraction.  Hubby was great, trying to quietly calm and comfort me.  I knew I didn't want to miss my epidural window but also knew I probably wasn't progressing very quickly so decided I would just be tough and not ask Stefanie for anything.  Finally a little after 9 am I just couldn't take it anymore.  I asked Stefanie if we could do something.

I felt like a huge wimp.  There are women who do this naturally all the time and here I was, not able to take it anymore.  Stefanie was great and reminded me I had the pitocin drip which makes contractions much more intense.  She checked me...I was a 3!  I could get the epidural.  While I waited she gave me a little something intravenously to take the edge off.  I could still feel my contractions but felt much more relaxed in between them.  I didn't have to wait long for my epidural.  Even though I was shaking uncontrollably, he was able to seamlessly administer my epidural and soon I was lying back, legs numb, but feeling great. 

I was able to rest about an hour with the epidural.  Around 11 am I became a little disappointed when I started feeling some pain again and had feeling again in my left side.  Stefaine came back in to check me to see if I could up my dose.  I had progressed to a 4 so she left me push my button for more drugs.  I felt some relief for a bit but soon (around 12:30 pm) I was feeling pain again.  Stefanie checked again.  I was a 6.  More drugs.  Again, a bit of relief but then more pain and this time, pain in my back.  At 1 pm Stefanie checked again.  She looked up at me and said she couldn't feel any cervix.  I asked what that meant.  She said I was at a 10.  I went from a 6 to a 10 in 30 minutes!  She asked if I wanted to push.  I said okay and pushed.  She said she could already feel the head.  We were in business.

It was like changing of the guard in my delivery room.  The morning's on call doctor was changing shift with the night doctor at 1 pm, right when I was ready to move into action.  The doctor quickly changed from shirt and tie to scrubs and was in my room in no time.  Both Hubby and Stefanie were great coaches and knowing that I would meet my baby girl soon was a great motivator.  I pushed for less than an hour.  At 1:49 pm Nora Courtney arrived!

She was bigger than we expected --- 7 lbs. 12 oz. 20 1/2 inches long.  She had a full head of DARK hair.  Quite a surprise and a conversation piece! 

Her Daddy was pretty proud.

She even survived her first tornado warning.

She's also had lots of visitors.

And is pretty content at home now with her tired but happy parents.

first jobs

I've had some amble time to once again become familiar with the Today Show.  This week they are doing an interesting segment, Today's First Jobs, highlighting the first jobs of several of the show's anchors.  It is interesting to see the humble beginnings of these news stars but gave me a chance to think back to some of my jobs of the past.  From my first babysitting job at age 13 or 14 to my current job, I have really tried some very different things!

Job #1 ~ Babysitting 
Probably one of the first jobs for most of the girls out there.  I mainly babysat for church families.  It was a good way to make the big bucks...I think I started out making $2.00 an hour.  I am really curious what the going rate is right now.  Guess we'll find out soon enough...don't think $2.00 and hour will even come close!

Job #2 ~ Waitress
I had a waitress job at a small Mexican restaurant for 3 years in high school.  The tips were great, the boss was not.  I really never liked working there but somehow managed to stick it out for 3 years.  I did, however, learn a great deal about working in the food service industry and have a great appreciation for waiting staff!

Job #3 ~ Blockbuster
This was a very random summer job.  I was nannying for a family but wanted a little extra money so I picked up a part time job at Blockbuster.  I still think it's funny I worked there.  It was a short stint and a pretty mindless job and knew more than I ever needed to know about movies in the summer of 2000.

Job #4 ~ Breadsmith
During college I scored a job at a small bakery chain, Breadsmith.  I LOVED this job.  It was a fabulous college job.  I worked with a really fun group of 19 and 20 somethings, ate some AMAZING bread, and learned a little about the behind the scenes operations.  Best part time job, hands down.

Job #5 ~ First Grade Teacher
After college I entered the professional world as an educator.  After a pretty stressful summer of job searches and interviews, I was finally offered a contract (but no position) in my current school district and then, the day before the school year began in 2003, I was placed in a first grade teaching position.  It was a whirlwind and something I don't wish upon anyone but ended up being a wonderful experience and the best position I could have hoped for.

Job #6 ~ Instructional Coach
I'm now in year four of my role as an Instructional Coach in my school's district.  This role itself has changed and morphed in the past four years but the basics are researching best practices in education, modeling and coaching teachers in those best practices, working in classrooms with teachers and students, providing professional development to staff, and working on district curriculum.  It can be quite challenging at times but also rewarding.

So there you have it --- my 6 major life jobs.  I guess I should add a new one...

Job #7 ~ Mom
A new and sometimes scary job but I'm sure, the most rewarding.

What have been some of your best jobs?

pretty sweet

It can be hard when she is crying and inconsolable, but it's worth it when she's snuggling in tight, breathing deeply and making her sweet baby noises.

my baby story ~ part 2

Even though I slept for a total of 3 hours the night before, I was wide awake and ready to go Wednesday morning.  After being confined to my bed and hooked up to monitors all night I was enjoying my freedom early Wednesday morning before I was sent back to my bed for the day.  Around 6 am my day nurse, Stefanie, came in to meet us and tell how the day would play out.  Finally around 7 am she returned with the doctor.  Back into bed I went for the moment of truth...did the cervidil work?  No.  BIG NO.  The doctor said I was somewhat softened but still not dilated at all.  Fabulous.  So Stefanie hooked me back up to the fetal monitors and began the pitocin drip.

Wednesday consisted of a lot of down time.  Hubby was able to go home, shower, and grab some breakfast.  I was enjoying a delicious liquid breakfast of jello, broth, juice, and coffee.  Yummy.  I spent my day either sitting in bed, standing by my bed, or sitting in a chair right by my bed.  Those darn cords and tubes wouldn't let me go to far.  I had a few stronger contractions due to the pitocin but it didn't feel as badly as I knew it should...more like some cramps and lower back pain.  Stefanie checked me again at noon...PROGRESS!  One flipping centimeter.  Wow.  I wasn't too enthused but Stefanie was very reassuring saying this was definitely something but unfortunately still wasn't enough to move me into labor.  More waiting the rest of the afternoon and then she finally checked me again at 4 pm.  Still only one centimeter.  My body just wasn't doing anything.  So, it was decided to stop the pitocin drip, take me off the monitors, let me walk around a bit and then do the cervidil again that night and start again the next morning. 

After I was free again, Hubby ran to grab me some real dinner and I walked the halls of the labor and delivery floor.  I was pretty down.  I became even more discouraged when I ran into a girl I had met at our birthing classes.  She was due two weeks after me and had given birth that day at 12:30 pm.  I was very happy for her but also very jealous.  Was this ever going to happen for me?

Stefanie passed me off to our night nurse (Farrah, from the night before...loved seeing a familiar face) at 6 pm and I was back in bed with the cervidil.  Farrah came in, sat down, and chatted with me for awhile which was super sweet.  My parents arrived that evening at 8:30 pm.  It was great to see them and I was trying really hard to keep my spirits high.  Luckily I was so mentally and physically exhausted that I slept really well that night.  Another early morning, a shower, and I was ready and waiting for another day.  Thankfully this one would be a little more rewarding.

Still waiting...positive attitude is wavering...

my baby story ~ part 1

The last two weeks have gone by in a blink.  Week 40 and 41 of my pregnancy...not so much.  I always had a hunch I would be late.  I had hoped I might deliver early but because I was always measuring a bit small at my appointments, I had a feeling I would exceed my due date. 

Each final appointment became more and more comical.  The doctor would check my progress and it was always zilch, nothing, nada.  After 4 weeks of this, I started being less hopeful and more realistic.  After checking and finding {surprise!} still no progress, my nurse practitioner made another appointment for Monday (5 days past my due date) and if there still were no signs of progress, we would make a game plan.  That day I think I tried to convince myself I was feeling something.  Surely these stomach pains were contractions, right?  I felt heavier...maybe there had been some change?  I went in hoping for the best but got the same news.  Nothing.  We made a game plan.  I would be admitted to the hospital the next evening (Tuesday --- 6 days past my due date --- my 30th birthday), and they would begin the induction process with cervidil, a drug to help soften my cervix and then begin the pitocin the next day (Wednesday). 

I went to work the next day feeling a bit odd.  I knew my pregnancy would be ending soon but it still seemed so far off and impossible.  I was reassured by many co-workers telling me they had the same experience --- went in the night before for cervidil and had pitocin the next day and their labor and delivery was quick and easy.  Fabulous.  I could do this.

That night I enjoyed a delicious birthday dinner of scrambled eggs and toast (had to eat light because of the cervidil) and we arrived at the hospital and to check in around 6:00 pm.  We were shown to our room for the night and things slowly got started.  We met our cute and fun night nurse, Farrah, she asked a bunch of questions, I got changed, hooked up to fetal monitors, received my IV port...twice (NOT fun), gave blood, and finally around 8:00 pm, received the cervidil.  It wasn't too bad.  It definitely didn't hurt but I was confined to my bed for 2 hours and could not eat anything.  Finally around 10:00 pm I was allowed to get up, go to the restroom, and have a light snack.  Then I was tucked in for the night and experienced one of the most uncomfortable night's sleep of my entire pregnancy.  For some reason acid reflux flared and the fetal monitors pressed into my belly.  It was not fun.  I think I slept about 2 hours.  Don't think Hubby fared much better sleeping on the pull out "couch".

I woke around 5:00 am the next morning (Wednesday), was unhooked from all of the monitors and was able to shower.  I felt like a new woman after that but soon my day nurse, Stefanie, came in and we were off and ready to start the day.  I was so hoping I would have a baby this day.  Oh, what a long day it would be.

Waiting...trying to be positive...many phone calls from family and friends helped TREMENDOUSLY!