Flashback! Max's Birth

I'm flashing back 4 months. I started this blog after Maggie was born and I was excited to share Maggie's story then. Now it's Max's turn.

After this post, it was Easter Sunday and my contractions decided to stay steady, about 3-5 minutes apart, but all day they were mild. I didn't have to breathe through them but I wanted to be home taking time to relax and focus. Hubby took Maggie to his parents for brunch and I stayed home and ate, knit, and watched this movie. It was perfect. I had forgotten that the main character was named Max. I took it as a sign.

Maximillian is the full name I wanted early on in my pregnancy (and prior when Maggie was a he/she in utero) but hubby thought it was too strong or something. He'd joke that in order to have a son with that name we'd need to be living in a castle as a royal family. It wasn't until after Max was born that we decided on his full name. We knew it was going to be Max, but Maximillian or Maxson? We went with Maxson. If not Maximillian, this was a good substitute. Unique and we could agree.

**Side note: I hear Maximillian slip? out of people's mouths though when they are with Max so maybe that name will always be around? Hmm...

My mild contractions stayed steady through the night and woke me up a couple times but I was able to fall back asleep each time. When I woke up Monday morning, I knew it was "the day". My sister, who had been waiting fervently for this day to come, was in touch and came over to help with whatever I needed. As the morning progressed, my contractions got stronger but I was still able to function, eat, take a shower and dress, and hug my little girl in the sunshine.

By the time Maggie had to go to gym class, it was clear I shouldn't leave the house but I was still talking like I could do errands and was telling hubby not to come home from work yet. I became focused on having the perfect candle for the birth and then panicked because the one I wanted was all used up and I wanted a replacement, pronto! I was thinking I could run out and get it but nope, that didn't happen. My mom stopped at the salon on her way over to bring me this beloved candle, but they were closed. Funny what I focus on in those final hours.

My sister took Maggie to gym and brought home thai food for a late lunch. By the time she got home around 2 pm, my midwives had come and gone after blowing up the new tub (see below - in my opinion, so much better than the horse trough!) and doing some other prepping for the birth. Hubby had just gotten home too. He knew it was time more than I was willing to admit. We talked on the phone as he was driving home and I had to stop and breathe through a strong contraction. He made fun of me later for this because I was still saying on the phone that he shouldn't come home yet because my contractions weren't strong enough.

Maggie fell asleep for a nap after lunch and my sister, Michael, and I hung out together in my living room having some good laughs as my contractions ramped up in strength. She and I had a glass of white wine (midwife recommended :-) and then I took an epsom salt bath to relax with hubby by my side. These were the hours leading up to my active labor. Around 4 pm, my sister called my mom to have her leave work at my dad's furniture store and come over. By the time my mom arrived, somewhere between 5 and 6 pm, I was in my bikini top and yoga pants walking through the house breathing through my contractions and really focusing, relying heavily on my sister and Michael for support. The midwives arrived and filled up the tub. By 6, I was in the tub and in full labor.

While I labored in my bedroom in a calm atmosphere, Maggie had woken up and would come in occasionally, whispering and being so cute, but she also spent time with my mom and sister in the other parts of the house proceeding on like normal - eating dinner, watching her shows, and having things explained to her about what was going on. She was a trooper and so excited to meet her brother.
My labor progressed fast, much faster than my labor with Maggie. I knew that as I was in it, but it just suprised me overall. I was more aware during Max's birth because it didn't take as much out of me, but I was still tired in between contractions and remember falling asleep a time or two. The first time I was checked after getting in the tub, I was a 6 and that was encouraging. By 8:30 I was ready to push and my midwives said from the time I was ready to the time he arrived, it took me 20 minutes. I remember thinking that I didn't want this to go into the night (like past midnight because it went waaaay past that with Maggie) but was mentally preparing for something longer since that was all I knew. But just like that, my midwife would say something or do something like put on gloves and change positions and the next thing I knew I was in transition and Max was born! It was 9 pm on the dot. Born April 9. Weight? 9# exactly!

A friend asked me after Max's birth if it was anything like Maggie's. It was in that they were both born at home in the water with the same midwives and people surrounding me, but in many ways Max's birth was easier and more enjoyable simply because I'd done it once before. I knew what to expect with labor and delivery, it was much shorter, I knew how to handle the contractions better, I loved the new tub (so comfortable), hubby was more relaxed, Maggie made the experience sweeter just by being there, and I just felt better prepared all around.  

Max came out wailing and the midwives commented that he had a strong set of lungs. He started nursing right away and he was really aware, opening up his hands as you can see in this picture (not clenching them), which the midwives said was also a good sign that he was comfortable/not scared in his big new surroundings. Foretelling signs of his strong personality? He was born a few days before my mom's birthday. He's an Aries like my mom and mother-in-law.

Read this birth story for more fun. It's wonderful and so similar to mine. Very thankful for homebirths and great birth stories.

Argh

I'm not sure it's possible to not get your expections up for when to expect a baby, but I was getting excited this past week thinking we were near and now it doesn't seem so. I was hoping with the full moon yesterday that things would really get going but nope! I really do appreciate family and friends staying in contact, but it is also wearing to not have news and to repeat the chain of events over and over. Today I woke up teary-eyed and frustrated so I'm working on adjusting my mindset to post due date and the fact that I could go many more days. My midwife assured me the baby will be born (as opposed to stay inside FOREVER) and I believe it was this many days after Maggie's due date that my water broke as well as the same day that I had a breakdown in the morning and had called an acquaintance for support, so maybe that is a good sign. Today my plan is to get out of my mind, enjoy the sunshine, and my family.

Two foot pig

Excuse the preggo top, it was hot during our backyard picnic!

I'd like to say it's new baby week but since that hasn't happened yet, it's Easter week. I'm loving the occasional rain and green everywhere. The spring garden is started and we're getting more plants for our front yard. Maggie loves to help garden so for Easter, since it's been back in the recesses of my mind until a few days ago, Maggie is going to enjoy some new gardening supplies with just a smidge of candy (jelly beans and a cadbury egg) in her Easter basket the morning of. She did all things Easter at her daycare this week and yesterday we hammered out the egg hunt with our mommy's group as I waddled around after her.

For the past few days, I've had small bouts of contractions/cramping but no real labor yet. I can't complain but I am getting anxious. This time off being home and free to do what I want has been amazing and I just keep checking things off the the big to-do list. I know all of our family and friends are so excited to meet the new baby, but he still seems snuggly in there despite all the rolling around and hiccupping. I don't think I have any more room in there though and I'm feeling pretty big and have quite the appetite when not feeling nauseous.


I finished Maggie's pig and while he is dang cute, I noticed as I was sewing his eyes on that I made a mistake. He's got two feet, not four! The instructions were vague and even though they said sew the legs up individually, I just proceeded on. To my 3-year old, she doesn't know the difference. All that matters, and it makes my heart sing, is that she loves her piggy and tells everyone that I made it for her. So two legs it is because for the life of me I can't find the end of the yarn to re-do them.

One Down...

I finished a knitting project! Now I need a tiny head to put it on. This little hat is called the tri-peak and I made it with Brooks Farm Four Play (50% wool/50% silk). Pretty soft and I like the variegated striping.

Just participated in a Busy Bag Swap with my mom's group and I now have 13 different busy bags for Maggie to enjoy and learn from. I might pull one or two out now, but the majority I'm saving for those moments after the birth when I really need them (I hear nursing and keeping a preschooler busy at the same time can be challenging).

Time

Maternity leave is a wonderful thing. Who doesn't like being paid to be home catching up on things, relaxing, knitting, and being with your family? This week I found a lilac for our front yard, which completes an area we planted last year, I got a snowcone on a warm afternoon with vanilla ice cream inside, hubby got me two more containers of rice pudding before they went off sale :-), I took my first epsom salt bath after a long day on my feet which gave me such soft skin and not so sore feet anymore, and I FINALLY ordered prints for our walls that was long overdue (including the bath photo idea Pat-you rock!).

Something about Maggie turning 3 last week and seeing a flyer for the Lorax at the library got me thinking that Maggie was probably ready to see a movie in the theater like a big girl. The result was a certified girl's night out with my sister and cousin Eden. Maggie went complete with new purse and lip gloss. We ate good thai food and enjoyed $5 movie night. The movie was a bit ridiculous and a little odd the way it was made (I'm not the biggest fan of new animation) but the message to not cut down all the trees in the land and be nice to animals seemed to cancel out the couple "scary" parts that were a little much for both girls. I had to hold down Maggie's seat the entire show so that it didn't fold her up like a taco.

I'm feeling creative and peaceful right now. Almost done knitting this hat for the baby and Maggie has requested this pig.

Be Green

Happy St. Patti's Day! No corned beef for us this year. Hubby not the biggest fan and eating leftovers isn't that yummy. This year we've planned an impromptu double date with friends and no kids at a nice restaurant out of town that we've always wanted to try. My friend texted me though yesterday saying to make sure and keep this baby in. Getting tired of the morning Braxton Hicks which now sometimes go in and out through the day (like today). I know it's preparation for the real thing but grrr, it wears on you.

It's been so rainy here all week and I'm glad because we needed it. Last night it really came down. Maggie played outside and rode her trike around with snails in the back.

All I ever do these days is fall asleep with Maggie at night and wake up really early before the rest of the family. Have I said yet how good this rice pudding is when you are 9 months pregnant? My belly is all out front and the past couple days I've noticed while eating that crumbs end up residing on top of my belly.

Maggie is officially 3! She scored on presents...lipgloss, purse, Olivia DVD and book, rocking cradle for her babies, and lots of clothes. When she really liked something, it was fun to see her reaction and excitement! She bounced her way through the night and had a clean bill of heath at the doctor that day.

As with last time around, I was going through this book the other night looking up names as we hadn't decided on a full name yet. We have a good idea now and he'd argue, but hubby won't really give me the go until we see this baby boy. The book has a bunch of "fun lists" and on the Comfy Names list, both Maggie and our boy nickname were listed together. One of our likely boy names is on the Names for Smart Kids. Better than being on some of the other lists titled Old Maids and Grumpy Old Men, Wimpy Names, Future Workaholics, Macho Men, Soap Opera Names, Bad to the Bone/Death Row Names, and the fun lists go on...

The baby room is put together and things for the most part organized (including new paint) in the room, wood chips were delivered, cat got a haircut, carpets cleaned today, lots of laundry done, and homebirth supplies ready.

Things to still do are fun things now - put in the vegetable garden and re-do the front yard area with new plants, touch up the baby room paint trim, have hubby do the belly cast, and have more fun reading and trying to get a hat made for the baby (and a knit rabbit for miss mags).

Medley

Officially on leave after one of the craziest weeks I've experienced in a long time where many things happened spontaneously good and bad, just uncontrollable. So it meant rolling with the punches each day and keeping our heads up.

Today my little one is at daycare on her normal schedule and I'm off mine, which is a wierd feeling as I haven't had a day like this to myself since she was born. It's pouring rain today too so it's stretch cotton and rain boots for both of us today. Lots of things to do in preparation for the baby but also for Maggie turning 3 tomorrow. There are days and moments where I just want to freeze a good moment in time and not let Maggie grow up anymore and keep things just as they are (especially when I know life will be different soon). I've really loved aspects of every stage as Maggie has grown older. She's so good at communicating (when she's not copying baby talk) and cracks us up all.the.time. Hubby and I are often asked or we talk about if we remember what life was like before kids and we do (maybe him more than me but I think we do pretty good at keeping a balance still), but for me, I really do cherish the ups and downs we experience as we raise kids because all the good moments outweigh the other stuff and it's quiet days like this that make me appreciate it even more.

To document this age change for Maggie, here is what she's into right now:

-she LOVES to dance and we try to capture as much as we can on film. She loves singing to our local children's musician Mr. Cooper or Sugarland, the country duo that mom and dad like :-)
-everything Maggie likes is pink "my favorite color!" (and sometimes purple or another color that she will randomly bring up). Not sure if I encouraged it from birth because we didn't paint her room until she was about 6 months old or push pink clothes on her or princesses or whatever girly, she has just taken a strong affinity for girly things as time has gone by.
-we read a lot and check out books every week from the library. She has gotten really good at reading a book a few times that she likes (the Olivia series is in her top 5 right now) and then she can read the book to us almost word for word by memory. It amazes us.
-she loves to snuggle with us in the mornings and tells us it's wake-up time and that she's ready for breakfast. Daylight savings is helping her sleep in a little more this week but we're often up pretty early but we let dad sleep in a little longer on weekends.
-she's constantly hungry and has been saying she's hungry right before we leave her room at night for bed. Pretzels seem to do the trick. 2 nights ago she ate a whole orange with a vengeance in bed right before she fell asleep.
-people still comment that she looks like a walking doll with her curly hair, petite size, good vocabulary and manners.
-she loves the "Sgetti" Factory and eating out at restaurants.
-she loves meat, especially a good steak.
-she loves our cat Lily and has been talking more about pets lately, telling us that she wants a rabbit. Not a super tall order, but we'll have to think on that one.
-she likes gum and thinks it's one of the coolest big kid treats. My mom said sugarless gum is not a battle to fight and I think it just might help get rid of the binky once and for all (that and some recommended reverse psychology).

Helping dad paint baby room

Top of Heavenly in Lake Tahoe - didn't care for "cold feet"

Crazy week

Not sure if the full moon has had anything to do with it, but our life turned crazy Monday and I've been hearing it all around this week. I've been crampy for a couple weeks now with it getting more intense some mornings. Labor feels pretty close. Among trying to wrap things up at work so that I can take leave and just keeping on top of the daily stuff, we were hit with Maggie having a pretty bad asthma attack two nights ago that led into the morning. Hubby has suspected this for awhile as he has the same problem and recognizes the signs but I was thinking cold/cough again. Not sure where winter was this year (I keep thinking we'll get more rain and cold weather still), but the arrival of spring has snuck in and brought back allergy season with it. The white and pink blooms and a bit of wind are off the hook.

I spent many hours at the doctor yesterday with a pretty sick kid on my hands but the treatments they gave her made her perk right up. It felt good to take care of her and see her get better through the course of the day. And now we're having a really good night of sleep after a really bad one so I am thankful for that. The result though is she has to take some regular medicine for the asthma but I'm glad we have this over not knowing why she was getting sick and often. This is linked with the allergy signs we've noticed over the past few years.

I have a long to-do list that is constantly on my mind and I'm slowly checking things off. I joked yesterday that this baby is going to come and we'll be sleeping with him in our bed (which would have happened anyway), taking diapers out of the box after his birth, and digging through paper bags full of hand-me down clothes once he arrives. This is not the type of prepared I was hoping to be but whatever happens, I know he will arrive into our household safe and warm. Planning is great but things don't always go the way you think they will.

Uh Oh

Up another early morning not able to sleep after Maggie needed help going to the bathroom in the middle of the night and my mind activated again. I feel the days getting very close and I feel unprepared. In the last week, I've experienced lots of changes in my pregnancy and the signs are pointing to labor being a few days away to still being out 2-4 weeks. I was ok initially with being at work until that point, now I feel like hunkering down and staying close to home if my days are numbered. I will probably go on leave early and try to relax as much as possible. According to my midwife, having a baby at 36 weeks is safe but it has a few more complications that go along with it. Keep the baby in another week or two!

The realization that hit me last night is that if this baby really is close, I might miss out on some of the last minute things I had planned for March. Belly cast from hubby on Valentine's Day, family photos before birth, getting room set up how I wanted (this didn't matter to me the entire time even though I was collecting things...must be a nesting thing right now), and other little things I haven't checked off the list yet. I know it will all work itself out but now my priorities are changing from what is necessity and what is fun? Ok, go! Ay yay yah. My sister reminded me last night, after we celebrated her 30th birthday (had to document all of this because I don't journal except here and we have lots of big changes happening in our family right now as my sister is also preparing for a big move and I end the night with a momentous late night call), that this baby will come when he's ready and that he will be a totally different being than my Maggie. It's a wierd thought in some ways because I have no other frame of reference other than to compare this experience to Maggie's pregnancy, labor patterns, birth, and everything that followed and the differences are throwing me for a loop. I need a day to recoup :-)

Craving...

The last two weeks, I can't get enough spicy food. Thai is my best bet at getting really spicy food that I like and that doesn't hurt my stomach.

My energy level is dropping in the afternoon/evening and I'm trying out coconut water. It gives me a little bit of a boost and is much healthier than resorting to a coffee or the like. Any suggestions? I need more walks, those are always refreshing. My belly is getting big up front...I even tried out the maternity belt yesterday. Yikes!

Joys of Pregnancy

It's not all rainbows and unicorns, but @ 33 weeks, I'm feeling pretty dang good. I've got my routine down and I do feel that pregnancy glow some women talk about. For me, it's the 1st trimester that really kicks my butt. I wallow...cry...and whine to get through it, but once it passes, it's mostly uphill. I wish in this pregnancy that I was getting more exercise but it's tough to fit in so I make due with stretching and chasing after Maggie.

I've indulged here and there with caffiene this time as it's supposed to be ok in moderation and I'd say half of my friends have their cups of coffee, etc. to get through the day and their babies were a-ok. Sometimes you are dragging so much from lack of energy that you need that little boost and treat to yourself. I'd love to color my hair as that also gives me a boost in the beauty department and supposedly that's fine too...a question for the midwives :-)

Life is good though as we make (shall I say final?) preparations. Things are coming together and I plan to work up until I can't work any longer. I have a long-term project at work that allows me to easily work at my desk and from home when need be and part of me is going to miss that involvement while I'm on leave. 

We just finished a bathroom remodel which now allows me to focus on getting the baby's bedroom ready. It involves getting rid of/moving/and buying furniture for both hubby and baby. Then I can organize and get the room all ready for nursing, changing diapers, and the like. I recieved some thoughtful presents this past weekend, including a handknit pair of baby booties from a friend that are just about the cutest little pieces of footwear I've seen in awhile (aside from my new Acorn slippers that just arrived today...oh the fleece goodness). The booties and an outfit my sister gifted to us might be the perfect birthday outfit for the babes once he makes his way into the world.

Green smoothies

I needed to find a way to incorporate some green supplement powder that I'm taking for pregnancy into my daily routine, plus add more protein and iron to my diet in this last trimester. Green breakfast smoothies have been the answer and I'm loving them (and so is everyone else...it's quite the trend right now). I use what's on hand but have stocked up on fresh spinach. So, the spinach (a good handful) and supplements always go in, but then I add fruit (apples, banana, frozen mango, blueberries), fruit juice or some sort of milk (coconut milk so far), and yogurt but sometimes I leave that out. You wouldn't guess because of the color but it's so yummy and easy to drink. The baby loves it (starts kicking right after I drink it) and Maggie loves it - she gets a green mustache and today she said after blending that it looks like a frog :-) She's also getting pretty good at using the hand blender. Love my little helper!

A good laugh

I'm finding this blog hilarious and right down my humor alley. All woman and especially pregnant ladies should take some time to puruse this, we all need a good laugh at the end of the day!