Wow! It’s been 8 months since my last confession … um journal entry. LOL

I was prompted to make an entry when LiveJournal was nice enough to send me an email letting me know that my birthday was coming up. Thanks. I wasn’t aware. J

So many changes over the last 8 months…

 Annalisa is now a glorious 10 months old. She is crawling, getting into EVERYTHING and practicing her balance by standing independently from 5 to 10 seconds at a time. I would not be surprised if that girl is walking by her birthday.

Hubby and I have had a few bumpy moments over the last few months, but we’re working it out. It’s tough sometimes going from a household of two to a household of three. Your mentality has not changed, which at times can really conflict with the reality that has. It really takes some adjusting.

(Break in my blog along with a with the loss of my train of thought)

I just got off the phone with my grandmother. Spent the last 40 minutes talking to the old soul. She called to wish me a Happy Birthday and to catch me up on the latest family gossip. She also told me that she has a birthday card for me with $5.00 in it but is afraid to send cash out through the U.S. Mail. Isn’t she precious!?! The old soul is 101 years old. She’ll turn 102 this year God willing.

Well I got to run. With the whole phone call thingy I lost track of time and I’m behind schedule. Hopefully it won’t be another 8 months before my next check in.

Toodles!

After the storm yesterday power was out all throughout the county. Fortunately we still have electricity, if not air conditioning. Hubby didn’t put the units in the windows yet. (sigh)

Today my office was closed until noon but we were instructed to report to the alternate location in Chester. I’m only working half days since the birth of Annalisa so I saw no point of trudging 20 minutes to a ½ hour out of my way to only sit for a ½ hour and return home. I called out but now I’m kind of regretting that decision because I heard some folks came in, signed in and was allowed to leave. I could have brought the baby with me for all of that and got paid for the day. Instead I used valuable leave that I don’t have since it was eaten up with maternity leave. Kind of bummed out about that …

In happier news, Lisa is growing and getting bigger (at least for her). At the last doctor’s visit she was 10 lbs and I’m sure she’s more now. I stopped breast feeding her after 4 weeks and my milk has all but dried up. I rented a pump a couple of weeks ago though because I think I’m gonna give the breastfeeding one more shot even if I have to bottle feed her the milk. In the interim, baby girl is sucking up the Similac like it’s water. She’s a regular old “Simaholic.” She’s hitting the bottle every few hours faithfully. If for no other reason than cutting back on my Similac bill it makes breastfeeding such a better option.

Been taking loads of pictures of Annalisa but these impromptu shot are a few of my favorites. Why? Because we were playing and it was one of the first times she smiled for me. I love that little girl! J

My precious Annalisa was born on April 14^th at 11:26 AM. She weighs 6 lbs and 7 oz and is 18 inches long.

Her birth was anything but ordinary. Hubby and I went to Riddle Hospital on April 13^th around 11:30 PM. At that time I was still only 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced. However because my water had broke I was told that I would be admitted to the hospital.

Hubby and I settled in for the night. Labor pains were mild. I was told that I would probably be induced but because Annalisa’s heartbeat was reacting negatively to the contractions they wanted to get me stabilized first.

Finally in the early AM I was given the okay to have my labor induced. By 10:30/11:00 AM I was having some serious contractions and was begging for an epidural. The doctor came to give me the epidural. I was told to lean forward as the drug was slowly inserted in my back.

After the drug was administered I was instructed to sit up. I was asked if I could feel my legs. I told the doctor that they were tingling. I was told to lay back on my side. I attempted to follow instructions but fell back like dead weight.  After a few minutes I felt like I was losing my hearing and stated as much. That was the last thing I remember …

My hubby told me later that I had stopped breathing. Apparently the epidural not only numbed my lower extremities but also numbed my diaphragm. I was rushed to the OR, Betadine was poured over me and I was cut immediately in an emergency C-section. Annalisa was born within 10 minutes of me passing out.

Apparently there were over 50 doctors, nurses and techs in that room that morning. After about an hour I was finally able to resurface from the effects of the epidural. Hubby told me afterwards that that was the scariest day of his life. He thought I was dying right before his eyes.

Fortunately two days later I’m okay except the pain from a c-section incision. Annalisa is doing great and is such a beautiful baby. I never knew I could love another human being so much and its only been two days. 

I understand that the world of motherhood will never be all peaches and cream but I feel that becoming a mother was one of the best things that I ever done.

A little after 10:30 pm I do believe that my water broke. Put two calls into the on call doctor. No response. Thankfully I’m not cramping … yet. It’s now 11:30 pm. If I don’t get a call back in the next half hour I guess I’m just gonna have to head up to the hospital and cuss a few people out. J

Sounds like a plan…

I am now in my 33^rd week and I can definitely feel myself nesting. Never thought it would happen to me. I’m the girl that runs kicking and screaming from housework but I realize if I don’t do it, who will? Hubby? Naw, not really.

The nursery has been painted. The walls are a pastel purple i.e. lavender. I had really wanted the hubby to slap some paint on the baseboards but it didn’t happen. No worries. After baby girl comes and it gets a bit warmer I’ll get down and clean ‘em good. (giggle) Well, I’m gonna try.

This third bedroom is rather small. It’s perfect for a nursery. Unfortunately the closet is also very small. I found a website called EasyClosets.com that lets you self design your closet space. They’ll custom make it for you and ship the pieces so that they can be self-installed. They are cheaper than most but I still acknowledge a tad expensive for what I’m looking for, (a couple of pieces of plywood and a bar to hang a few clothes), but I don’t know any local carpenters.  In the end though, I'm willing to use a few bucks from our tax return to maximize the space.

Last Friday the girls at work threw me a baby shower. It was almost a complete surprise. It was very thoughtful though and I’m really grateful for the gifts I received. I received quite a few baby toiletries, a brush & comb set, baby nail clippers, a couple Macy gift cards, two packs of diapers, a few baby clothes, some cash and a bassinet. My co-workers rock!

I know my sister-friend is also throwing me a baby shower. It’s supposed to be sometime next month on a Saturday. That’s all I know. Well that narrows it down to 4 potential days. Any guesses because, at this point, yours is as good as mine.

Overall, things are just chugging, chugging along. And yes, right now I feel like a big fat train. Slow and steady. I think I can … I think I can… LOL

At 9 weeks I weighed myself. Yesterday I weighed myself again. I have lost a total of 28.8 pounds. Every two weeks I go to the doctor and he says the baby is fine. So my question is, “Where is the weight loss coming from?” Yeah, I am eating a little healthier but not that much. And if exercise is walking back and forth to my car than so be it. I’m not too worried because I still feel Baby Girl kicking up a storm but I’m saying this can’t be normal.

I’m off to see Wicked this afternoon. Just me and the baby … of course she’s obligated to come for the ride. LOL Very excited. I had waited to the last minute to buy tickets so I was forced to spend the cash and buy a box seat. I don’t regret it though because with my expanding waistline I can use all the comfort I can get.

Afterwards I’m heading to visit my mom. She’s been moved from the hospital to a rehab in South Philly … supposedly very nice. It’s a good step for her. One step to getting back on her feet and getting home.

A busy day for me. Thankfully it doesn’t happen often but every once in a while is nice.

Last Saturday I had my glucose tolerance test … the initial screening for 1 hour. Diabetes runs rampart in my family so I have prepared my mind for the worst but as always hope for the best. I spoke with the Doctor’s office this morning and learned that I PASSED. No gestational diabetes for me! Woohoo! Can you see me do my happy dance?

Well I am almost there. Monday I’m 28 weeks and I officially enter the third trimester.

This pregnancy has been rough. Morning sickness for the first four months, a visit to the ER a couple of weeks ago due to unexplained chest pains, crazy itching in the palms of my hands and on the soles of my feet, a 20+ lb weight loss, (that was a perk!), and my first official hot flash last Wednesday. However, when I remember where I was emotionally two years ago with the miscarriage, what I am experiencing now is all totally worth it.

My number one prayer is that God keep this baby safe above everything and everyone. God has certainly heard my cry.

2010 is definitely going to be a good year for me!

I absolutely adore this picture of my niece. She has such a sweet and sunny disposition. I pray that she stays that way for as long as possible.