8 week check up and I might be a Cylon....



We are finally over the Plague at our house. It left both hubby and I weak and tired (hubby more so than me). Thank goodness for the grandmothers. They came, they helped, they didn't get sick! It was awesome. We would not have made it without them....


Today was Plankton's 8 week check up. Here are his stats:

Weight: 10 lbs 6 oz
Length: 21 inches





Everything else was right on target. In fact, we are going to cancel the appt for the Developmental Pedi. Our doc feels confident that our lil' guy is right on track and doesn't require any special follow up from his NICU days. YIPPEE!

He is already doing all the good baby things: reaching for an object that is midline, following a voice from one side of the room to the other, seeking out mamma and daddy from other noises in the room, holding head up if you put him in a seated position or to look up at things, little push ups when lying on his belly, mirrors facial expressions, I could go on and on, he is my little genius.

We are officially out of Newborn size diapers and most clothing. We have moved into Size One and Size 0-3 month clothing....YEAH! He is finally big enough we can try our cloth diapers again.

Even tho I have watched enough TV in the past eight weeks to last several lifetimes......I loaded up Battlestar Galactica today. I didn't realize how many episodes behind I was.....I am so ready to start "THE FINAL EPISODES". Dang! I love that show. It's a pretty complex show for a mamma with only two talking brain cells....but I still enjoyed it. I did start to wonder if maybe I am the last cylon....I wouldn't mind having some collective knoweldge right about now and six's body ;-D

The rest of the week will be sad: no knitting tomorrow, my MIL will be back for a few days but they are her final days, then we have my nieces' baptism (okay, so that will be fun)...time is FLYING by. Soon, Plankton will be writing his own blog from college.....

I have to put in one more plug for Metro Moms they have a great calendar on their site for things to do in DFW with kids....and I have I mentioned they give away AWESOME prizes? :-D

Little Plankton did it again!  His luck is amazing!

Remember a few months ago when we won the Stokke Sleepi crib?  Well, he did it again.  I didn't even have time to check the list of prizes but when I left the house I told little Plankton to think about what he wanted and send me with his good luck..... So off  Andrea and I went to the Metro Moms Best and Hottest Event and drew number 5 and 6 out of 100.  We both won TFK strollers.  Check out our photos here.   It was a great night and we signed up for another event in two weeks.  We have so much fun with the Metro Moms.

Unfortunately the next morning I ended up with the stomach flu....YUCK!  But thank goodness for the grandmothers who came to the rescue and let me sleep all night and rest all the next day.  I am all better but sticking with bland foods for a while.

Well, here is our BIG BOY! He is over 9 pounds!

We go for his two month check up on Tuesday so I'll have another update with all the stats next week.

An Update: and seven weeks today!

I finally made it to knit class last Wednesday.  It was awesome to see the 'gals', let Plankton meet his aunties and we celebrated my birthday.  The gals spoiled me with gift certificates.  I can hardly wait to get out and spend them  :-)

Check out these cupcakes....they were AMAZING.  I choose a lemon and blueberry one.  I am not a frosting fan but that blueberry frosting was so delicious I would have eaten a whole bowl of it.  Next time I am in Frisco, I am going to have to find this cupcake place for a second helping.
The cousins....hanging out looking adorable
Auntie Cheryl made custom bumpers and a blanket for Plankton's crib.....look how perfectly it matches the nursery!  The fabric has mamma and baby manatees.  Also, check out the mobile.  We finally installed it.  Plankton thinks it's just "amazing".  :-)  THANK YOU!!!!

Plankton is seven weeks old today, he witnessed the inauguration of our 44th president with mommy and daddy.  What an historic moment for all of us!

We've been gifted!

One of Hubby's amazing co-workers spouse made this.  It has a really soft velvet other side and the photo doesn't show all the detail but the quilting is BEAUTIFUL!

Plankton looks so handsome today....I can't believe someone makes pants so little.  

Tomorrow we are off to knit class.....I can hardly wait.  I miss my girlfriends terribly and it's time for Plankton to meet all of his Aunties.

Happy Birthday to me! and "the truth just sounds better":

Well, here it is my 33rd birthday and hubby says I am "one hot mamma".  How true, how true  :-)

I woke up to cake for breakfast.....THANKS MOM!  what a way to have dessert first. Then my mother in law fixed the most delicious birthday dinner and we had all the family over.  It was really fun.  Plankton's aunties confirmed that he is getting bigger and heavier....yeah!

Thank you to everyone who posted or emailed, your support means a lot.  One friend said "I'm glad you are not a plastic mom".  MEE TOO!   Then I thought, maybe I am being too honest on my blog?  But I think "the truth just sounds better".  And as they say on Jon and Kate Plus Eight "it may be a crazy life, but it's OUR life".  

The past few days have been better.  I think my remaining brain cells are done grieving for their lost relatives and have started talking to each other again.    I  got my hair cut by Victoria, THE MOST WONDERFUL HAIRDRESSER IN THE WORLD, on Friday.  She came to the house, colored and cut my hair.  Isn't that amazing?? Mom came too, since they are friends and kept Plankton happy.   Then on Sat, I went to the grocery store and Babies R Us and then got a few things done on Sunday while my mother in law fixed dinner and the baby slept.  

I may survive this newborn phase yet...... 

Insomnia during new mommyhood  is just NOT okay......I did a search online for Domperidone (the medication I started to pump up my milk supply) and Insomnia.  It's a RARE side-effect (lucky me).  I feel pretty confident it's the medication since the ONLY other time I have had insomnia in my life was during the first trimester of pregnancy.

While I am motivated to make more milk for my boy, not sleeping does VERY much interfere with my ability to parent.....so let's hope this side effect goes away with treatment.....like by TOMORROW!

Plankton is just sleeping away.....he is so adorable when he sleeps (I would post a photo but that might wake him up and even tho I am awake, it's nice that he is not).  So you get the one above instead.....it's a weird angle but he's cute no matter what.

If I had my old life back:

I would have gone knitting yesterday with my girlfriends....caught up on all the news and probably gone out to eat.  I would also have recently had my haircut and colored, legs waxed, eyebrows done, and maybe gone to look at new glasses frames (I am sick of the ones I have), gone out to eat again, shopped at Sephora for new eye shadow (cause I am sick of the same shades I have been using for nearly 10 years), shopped the after Christmas Sales, found a pair of shoes (I really need a plain pair of black shoes), went camping with hubby.....I could go on and on and on...

Since being home and becoming a mom, I am thrilled with some of the changes and not with others.  I would love to say that "it's totally worth it" like I hear so much from other mom's.  I am not there yet.  This experience is amazing and I don't want to trade it all back just yet....but I feel like the verdict is still out on if this is better than my "old life".  So far it's not better it's just radically different. 

I was too busy before to have noticed the whole eye shadow and glasses thing (not that I am wearing make up these days but I just noticed) and now that I have noticed....I can do nothing about it....DANG that is really annoying....I may not make it to Sephora and the eyeglass place but I can make it to target and grab a new eyeshadow when I pick up more formula/diapers/wipes   :-)  because it's all about realistic expectations and redefining "productive day".

In my previous life I was a MORNING person.  Up early, wide eyed and bushy tailed.  I would sleep 6-8 hours and then be ready for anything......now I am still a morning person, just not bushy tailed or bright eyed, and on a LOT less sleep.   I didn't think I could be this tired ever again....  In fact, I was so tired I fell down the last to stairs last night on my way to bed (while daddy had baby duty for three hours), I'm not hurt but it shook me up and made me cry.  I was this tired during graduate school.....but I have blocked most of that out of my memory.  I also did things I now regret to stay awake and reduce the pain of exhaustion (mass amounts of diet coke and a few cigarettes).

In my previous life I enjoyed babies and kids and thought they were kool....but now my kid is AMAZING!  He makes the weirdest noises in his sleep and is even teaching hubby and me his own version of baby sign language (he has a sign for daddy, mommy and food already).

In my previous life I ate healthy and stayed active....now, I love a quick snack (anything I can eat one handed and prepare in less than I minute), OREOS (yes, I will keep mentioning them until I can break my habit), and sit on the couch most of the day...

In my previous life, very little made me cry and now I cry nearly every day....sad, happy, angry, frustrated and joyful tears.

I'll leave you with my latest tear inspiring moment:  

In my "Daily Hugs for Mom's " book on Plankton's birthday page:  

"It is pleasant to see dreams come true"  Proverbs 13:19

Great Blog Posts

I have had all these great ideas for blog posts lately but I keep being interrupted by feeding the baby or peeing before I have to feed again or falling asleep or eating another oreo.

Finally I am able to post....why?  Because I CAN'T SLEEP!  I am exhausted,  but for the first time in over 5 weeks I can't sleep.  Maybe it's because hubby is going back to work tomorrow, or I had my first cup of coffee in a VERY long time at 10 am (more than 14 hours ago), or we ate a big dinner after 8pm.  Plankton has been sleeping soundly for over two hours....but not me!  I went to bed, read, prayed and then laid down to sleep....prayed some more....no luck....so, I decided to relieve hubby from baby duty to let him get a few hours of extra sleep before his first day back to work and here I write.  Let's hope tomorrow is not a "no good, terrible, bad day".

Since, I am too exhausted to remember one of my cleaver blog ideas....I have mushy brain...it used to be such a good brain....but now it's mush....I am going to post a bunch of photos I meant to post earlier and we'll pretend this is a great blog post!  :-)  Photos are what my readers (all four of you) want to see anyway right?

Here is my adorable 12 day old niece wearing the sweater I knit for her

Here is my little man, looking exactly like daddy
This photo makes my heart skip a beat....Plankton has the most adorable feet I have EVER seen

Christmas Eve as a family of three!  

My very crafty cousins invited me to participate in a swap on Ravelry, I  eagerly signed up thinking this would be a very fun  "end of pregnancy projec"t.  The package had to be in the mail my Dec. 15th....I was due the 24th so I thought this was a great idea.....then Plankton arrived three weeks early and my poor swap partner ended up with a Knit Picks gift certificate on the final day of the swap (I did try to send her the package I made up for 10 days... I just couldn't get to the post office....at least she can pick something she wants....lots of books for 40% off maybe?).  But check out MY adorable package.  My lovely swap partner made booties for Plankton and even read my blog to find out I missed fall in the Northeast so she sent fall colors, yummy smelling apple stuff as well as yarn and other goodies.  WOW!  It was such a wonderful treat!

Plankton's first walk.  We bundled him up and pushed the stroller out the front door, down the sidewalk to the driveway, up the driveway to our garage to show daddy.....then Plankton cried and his walk was over....it was one small step for me and grandma but evidently an exhausting outing for Plankton.

Well, that's it!  Plankton is 5 weeks old today.  Weeks 1-4 were very hard for all of us.  There were days I was sure I wasn't going to survive.  But I have had two really good days in a row.  Plankton is sleeping better, eating like a little shark, and smiling at us!  We celebrated today by going out to lunch as a family of three. Plankton slept the whole time and mommy and daddy enjoyed a lunch out.  It was wonderful.....I just might make it after all.....

Happy 2009!

This week last year I was recuperating from the surgery that made all of this possible. It's been such an amazing process.

On Tuesday we celebrated Plankton's four week birthday! I can't believe how much we have been thru in just four weeks and also that we have made it this long.

I haven't posted our recent challenges but Plankton didn't gain back his birth weight by 3 weeks....so we have had more doc visits, interventions and we found out yesterday that he gained TEN OUNCES!!!! in five days after we implemented our PLAN.

I am finding that motherhood is WAY harder than I had anticipated. I don't think anything can prepare you for this....my best girlfriend is pregnant and visited yesterday, I was trying desperately to think of something I could say, wisdom to pass along and the best I could come up with was: 1) have changing stations ALL over your house 2) get everything ready at least a MONTH before the baby arrives (this part is biased due to Plankton's surprise arrival) 3) Encourage hubby to take time off, you'll need the help and emotional support (again biased, I have been thru a lot and still not sure I am surviving this but each day I do, it's because of my husband and his positive attitude and help with EVERYTHING) 4) Let people help with food, cleaning, errands etc. Plan to do nothing but sit and nurse for weeks! 5) Get track suits or something COMFY to wear for those weeks of sitting and feeding.

That is it! Weak! It will not prepare her for the PROFOUND sleep deprivation, emotional rollercoaster etc that she is in for in just a few short months....but then again everyone adjusts differently.

I was shocked to learn:

1) How great just one hour of sleep can feel
2) That a shower can be a spa-like experience
3) That the idea of getting my hair cut seems impossible
4) I can feel like a hero and a complete failure in the same 60 seconds
5) My son is ABSOLUTELY the cutest creature I have laid eyes on
6) My body is amazing
7) My body is my enemy
8) Someone else doing the laundry, dishes, food prep is not just a luxury
9) Eating Oreo Cookies can fix nearly anything
10) That I am dying to go back to work and yet can't figure out how I can ever leave again...

It's been an experience! From the difficult labor, to a broken tail bone, to the hospital stay, to home, feeding issues, and trying to cope....thank god for hubby. He keeps me sane, gives me a break when I am sure I am going to run away, laughs with me, and shares my awe in the miracle that we created.


....duty calls.....and he calls loudly....

HARK! the little baby angels sing

(Plankton and his little cousin celebrating their first Christmas!)

Oh Happy Days!

Look who arrived on Sat! Nana and Poppy from New York. They were so excited to finally see the baby...

On Tuesday our little one (who is NOT named Plankton in real life, just a little FYI for all you blog readers) celebrated two weeks on the outside :-)

Today our little niece was born. Not to be out done by her cousin Plankton (again not his real name), she too arrived at 37 weeks and one day with some drama. She was born via c-section and kept her mom in the hospital all last week with high blood pressure awaiting her early arrival. Mom and baby are doing well. All the grandparents and most importantly the AUNTIE got to snuggle her today!

Jason and I would like to send out a HUGE thank you to all the friends and family who have stopped by to visit and brought food. We feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives. We look forward to the opportunity to return the favor one day in the future.

Next week we'll have another update after our check up.....

We went to our family doctor yesterday and we and we can now say that Plankton is OFFICIALLY perfect! :-) His weight is wonderful, everything is working well and our doctor said he would keep an eye on him and that it's possible we don't need to follow up with the Developmental Pediatrician in two months....that is a HUGE relief. He said the hardest thing for Plankton right now is eating and pooping so as long as he is doing both we know all is well. He is a champion nurser....which is amazing for a NICU baby. And he sure can poop...

We were so excited with the news!

We also found out I can easily stay on Vicodin for two weeks....YIPPEE! I thought I was going to get cut off....and I am still to sore to sleep thru the night without drugs....god bless pain meds.

Auntie Tasha posted an ADORABLE photo of plankton.

We received a WONDERFUL gift from Auntie Michelle and Uncle Marc.....a PHOTOGRAPHER! So we'll have more photos to post soon.

We want to send out a HUGE THANK YOU!!!!!!! to everyone who has brought meals. it is such a relief not to have to cook and just focus on taking care of the baby. Jason and I both greatly appreciate your love, support and delicious meals.

38 Weeks! Well, today my computer tells me I am two weeks from my due date....HA! Plankton had his own time line...


Thanksgiving Day, we were camping at Lake Texoma: here I am showing off the "bump sweater" and socks that I knit to wear during the cooler days of my pregnancy....at least I got to wear them together ONCE :-)


Labor began at 4am... 7 days ago....WOW, I can't believe it's already been a week! Jason never missed a beat or a contraction. We worked as a team for 21 hours to bring Plankton into the world.


Plankton spent nearly a week in the Special Needs Nursery. It was scary and then comforting to know how well he was cared for.

We found out on Sat that the reason for the excruciating pain I had been feeling and ignoring after birth was due to a broken tail bone. My little boy KICKS BUTT, it's just too bad it was mine. By Friday I stopped holding him because in the NICU you have to SIT to hold the baby and I just could no longer do it. I would stand behind Jason while he held Plankton....then I went for an Xray Sat morning once we knew that the Neonatologist was on her way with an update that afternoon....I just couldn't leave until then. So, it's broken, nothing we can do but just have a reason for all of my pain and suffering.....and call and ask for SERIOUS drugs....advil wasn't working anyway. So, I am still in a LOT of pain, there is no sitting for me but at least I can get some relief and sleep a bit here and there.

After 5 days under wonderful watchful eyes in the NICU, Plankton was released to us for 24 hours of OUR care while still in the hospital. It was such a sweet moment. We had our OWN room just the three of us for the first time ever (we didn't take a photo we just enjoyed the moment). We all cuddled and mommy cried....



At 11am on Sunday we were officially RELEASED from the hospital! We packed up, dressed Plankton in a warm outfit (including the father/son mommy-made hats), put him in his carseat for the first time and went HOME. Mommy cried again....

We are home, right where we are supposed to be. The trauma is over, our family life has begun. It's sweeter than I could have ever imagined.

We're HOME! Thank you for all the prayers and good thoughts.

We'll post photos and an update tomorrow.

A little update:

Plankton is off oxygen, IV, most of his monitors and out of his special bed (this photo is from yesterday before the tubes came out). He is being monitored and we get to feed him, change him and hold him. The Neonatologist told us this morning that he MIGHT be able to come home on Sunday. They want to observe him for 24 hours after coming off of his IV, then give us 24 hours of "rooming in" at the hospital where we will have nurse support as needed but we do all his care....then he can come HOME!

We are asking for good thoughts and prayers that the three of us are HOME together this weekend!

We have had several offers of "what can we do to help".....THANK YOU FOR ASKING! Right now we are so overwhelmed with the hospital schedule and trying to see the baby as much as possible and still rest (which is really not happening) that we can hardly think clearly. However, as soon as we are home we are going to need help with meals, short visits to help us celebrate Plankton's arrival, errands etc. Once, we are home if you are available to help....PLEASE just call or email. We would love to take you up on your offer :-)

THANK YOU for all of the love and support! It means so much to us and we can't wait to introduce you to Plankton in PERSON!

This should have been another post with belly photos but it's a photo of PLANKTON!

I went into labor at 4am on Dec. 1st. Baby arrived at 12:45am on Dec. 2nd. It was a LONG labor but went very well. We labored at home and at the birthing center. Jason was with me every second....he was amazing! It was an unbelieveable experience. Hard, long, painful and incredibly beautiful.

Baby popped out BLUE, he just wouldn't breathe....the midwives revived him and then we opened his eyes and passed out again....so he and Daddy took a ride with WONDERFUL EMTs to the hospital (while I rested for a few hours and then went to the hospital). He is being very well taken care of at the NICU. I finally got to hold him today and sounds like he'll be able to eat tomorrow. It is our great hope that he will be home this weekend. I am so ready to have him home and in my arms.

We're still coping and in survival mode around here but can't wait to be ready for visitors and enjoying our new life as a family of three.

Anniversary, 8th month and more


Well, I am just going to POST! I keep waiting until I have a photo to share and well....it's just not happening right now. (I am making up for the lack of photos with links....be entertained okay?)

Jason and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary this past weekend. It's hard to believe we met over 14 years ago. 12 years ago today we were back in school after having had a beautiful wedding and a lovely weekend together. Here we are 12 years later, pregnant, we spent the weekend playing board games and we're back at work.....we're geeks and we're proud!

We usually spend our anniversary weekend at the Board Game Geek Convention and this year we did that but only for two days (usually we stay three or four). We played some AWESOME games including the new Battlestar Galactica game. It was really good but lasted nearly 4 hours and my brain was mush by the end. I loved learning Goa, Dominion, Power Grid
and I am sure there were others but I can't remember. We got to see old friends and met some new ones too. I also must say that I love the DFW Westin hotel. They have the most wonderful shower and bed.

I am now officially 8 months pregnant....dang this pregnancy is flying by! We have just 28 more days to go (give or take 14) and I am feeling ready. I have been blessed with a happy and healthy pregnancy. But, I am tired, uncomfortable and ready to HOLD this baby in my arms and not in my abdomen. He is active and likes to head butt my pelvis and kick me in the ribs....it was cute the first time....it's no longer cute....it hurts. I love being pregnant, it's the most amazing, awesome, hard to describe experience ...and now I am done. Which I am really happy about, it means I am making the transition to be ready for birth and motherhood....

We are also preparing for Thanksgiving which will be at our favorite campground again this year. We are heading out on Wednesday and plan to return Friday or Sat depending on the weather and the fishing. We'll participate in the BIG potluck (last year was over 350 people) and this year my family is going to meet us there for the day. There will be several of us and I am looking forward to a day outside, letting the cousins play, the dogs be crazy and the adults relax and visit.

Then I hope we can come home, decorate for Christmas, put the carseat in the car and pack our birth bag....as of Monday the baby will be "full-term" and he can come anytime safe and sound.

I also hope to have PHOTOS to post....some from Thanksgiving and some BELLY PHOTOS! :-) I know you are all dying to see how HUGE I am.....but the truth is, I am not really gaining weight.....I have the full permission of my midwife to eat Ice cream, whole milk, and whatever else I would like. She said I don't have to drink Ensure just yet (thank goodness) but that I need CALORIES! (it's so against everything I am used to).....but I am going to do the best I can. I stopped and got a Frosty on the way home....but then was too full to eat anything else. I'll try again in a couple of hours.

I think that is it for my update.....have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great Black Friday....

Sonogram Update:

ALL IS WELL! Plankton is approximately 5 pounds (WOW!, I was only 5 pounds 14 ounces at BIRTH), he is practicing breathing and sucking on his hands/fingers/thumb....which is the best sign that he is not distressed in any way. His placenta is right where I thought it was (on the left where he likes to curl up and sleep) and it is not disrupted in any way.

We are healthy and happy!

My midwife thinks we may HAVE a baby by Christmas. She really doesn't think I'll go past my due date......interesting.....wonder if Plaknton got the memo.....

I have been planning on a "late" baby.....so I am going to speed up my plans for packing, organizing etc.

And for Jen: My waist is 40 inches around at 34 weeks......GOODNESS!

A few more Guatemala Photos (I just couldn't resist) This is our last day, we are headed for the airport
one of the fountains at our hotel, it was a simple hotel but the grounds were AMAZING!

My BEAUTIFUL front Door.....Melissa gave me this beautiful wreath to take home after my baby shower so that my house would be all ready for all of Plankton's visitors. Isn't it PERFECT? I have never had such a beautiful wreath. THANK YOU MELISSA!


Well, here I am at 34 weeks: I know I am making a funny face, I was struggling with the camera position.

I am off today for a second Sonogram, we were planning to just have the one at 20 weeks but Plankton is measuring small (big surprise there eh?...have you been keeping track of the photos?) so we're going to check him out today and come home with a few more pictures. He is very active and has a strong heartbeat so there is no huge concern other than checking sizes of all his little parts. Also, I had a fall yesterday, everything is fine but we're just going to make sure....I'll post more photos and an update soon!

ON THE KNITTING (Nesting) FRONT:


Here are the "Coming Home" Hats for Big Jay and Baby Jay...Mom's hat is in progress and I just might have to make a second one for Plankton that he can grow into. I used Koigu for Plankton and soft and wonderful Berrocco Comfort for the adult hats. We're going to be so cute!

The Entrelac Socks are nearly done. I had to pull out the toe and am putting it back in on the second sock. Should be done by this weekend (thanks to Andrea and about 10 yards from her ball of the same Socks that Rock yarn). The socks match my Bump Sweater (which I will post photos of soon, I have been wearing it and forgetting to take a photo) and I can't wait to wear the whole ensemble together.
And Finally Plankton's Baby Surprise Jacket. It just needs some finishing and buttons. I am going to find buttons tomorrow at JoAnn's since the ones I bought are too small....darn. This jacket is going to be so cute!....it's SUPER SOFT and I have a TON of yarn leftover so I just might have to make matching hat and booties.

The house and nursery are no where near done, but seriously that stuff can wait. I am hoping to get that huge surge of energy to clean house and finish up the nursery....still have a few weeks to go. Knitting is more fun! :-)

Guatemala at 32 weeks!
(finding a ripe coffee berry)
(dressed in local Myan clothing)
(a cute street vendor)
(at our hotel)

We spent an amazing 4 days in Antigua, Guatemala for the wedding of Joe and Shelia. We took tours to make the most of our visit. We got to take a walking tour of Antigua learning about it's history as the capital of central america, we learned the workings of a coffee plantation, macadamia nut farm, a bit about the beautiful woven textiles famous in Guatemala. It was a grand time. The food was wonderful, the weather perfect and the company divine.

Now we are back home and I am recovering. I did great, walked everywhere and didn't miss out on anything (except the 3 hour volcano climb which I am glad we missed). I am more jet lagged and exhausted returning home than I was going to Antigua. Plankton was VERY active in Guatemala. I think he loved all the sights and sounds so different from my daily routine.

It's amazing how exhausting four days can be. I am still not back on track at home and work but hope that next week will go more smoothly.