Mid-Wife Consultation

I met with an amazing MW named Mariann today.  It was astonishingly refreshing to speak to someone who really had a passion for birth and understood the desire to birth free of interventions.  I didn't feel, as though with my husbands sometimes, like I am speaking to a brick wall.  While supportive and loving, he doesn't really 'get it' in the way that I need him to do sometimes.

The basic run down, is pretty much what I expected.  As long as I don't experience any blood pressure issues, like I did with Nolan, than all should be a go for a home birth if I choose.  If my blood pressure issues resurface, which honestly I think they will, than my care would have to be transferred to an OB.  While I understand why this has to be done, I do not like it.

One thing I was quite thrilled about is her ease and understanding of transferring in and out of care if need be.  I can start with her and she'll help me transition to an OB if I need too or I can start with an OB and if no blood pressure issues arrive and I am confident in a home birth, I can transfer back to her at about any point in time.  I found this incredibly reassuring knowing that the decision I make now is not the ultimate decider for the remainder of my pregnancy.

She also informed me, which I didn't know, that TGH will do gentle induction for VBAC patients.  That was quite a surprise to me and another source of relief.  While I hope that BP issues aren't a problem, it's nice to know that IF they are, we have options.  I won't have an OB in my face screaming C-SECTION, C-SECTION!!  They will actually attempt to induce me first and let me try for a vaginal birth.  Albeit, hooked up to monitors and IVs and the like, but still.  ((See, this is me trying to be optimistic))

Ultimately the consultation brought me a lot of answers and some clarification on things and I am beyond happy that I got up the nerve to make the appointment.  She was amazing and I hope that this pregnancy is picture perfect and I can have her as my MW, but only time will tell.

To end today on a very happy note.  A few pictures from Nolan's 2nd Bday!!

On the way to the zoo!!! ((2 and still RF FWIW ;-))

 '




 Nolan and Daddy

He seriously loved this turtle. He kept following it along the bottom of the glass!!

He kept staring every time kids walked by <3 br="">

Daddy wimped out on feeding the Rhino's so I took it for a spin!! Kind of.... slobbery! An interesting experience, for sure!

It appears the plans to wait to TTC have failed

Because we are PREGNANT. Feb 8th was Nolan's 2nd birthday and after spending a couple days suspecting, I took a test. What a birthday present for my little boy, a baby LOL!! The emotions are high, mostly I'm freaked out... and excited. Hubs is as happy as can be, of course! We have yet to go to the doctor, but I am... working on it.

Nolan's birthday was so much fun! We opted out of doing a traditional birthday party this year. We decided to do a "behind the scenes" tour at Lowry Park Zoo. We all enjoyed it! Nolan was very freaked out by the Rhino's, but who can blame him, they weigh thousands of pounds! I'll have to add some pictures later, it really was a lot of fun!

Beginning the plans for my VBAC/HBAC have been quite a headache. I keep reminding myself that I am still REALLY early and there is plenty of time to find a provider. I wish I could make a definitive decision between hospital or home, but I keep waffling between the two.  I have a lot of concern surrounding becoming hypertensive with this pregnancy again, if it happens, and can't be controlled I feel like I'll be pushed into another C-Section and I do not want that. I am attempting to get up the nerve to make an appointment for a consultation with a midwife, but I am afraid of being told that I am NOT a good candidate. Crazy paranoia? Yes, most definitely.

My goal this pregnancy: To document everything here, as often as possible, so that I have a good reference base. I really slacked off with Nolan, but I am determined to keep an up to date on everything this pregnancy. So as of today, a matter of days past 4 weeks, I am already having the pain in my lower back from my titled uterus that I experienced with Nolan's pregnancy. I had an appointment with my chiropractor yesterday and I feel SO much better. The tata's already feel like they are trying to pick up production, which is also different from Nolan's pregnancy. Though, I am hoping I remain lucky and end up with no morning sickness this time as well (a mama can help). I am making some changes to my diet (it's been awful lately) and trying to start finding time to fit in some short walks. I am determined to be as healthy as possible this pregnancy. I have cut *way* back on my caffeine, upped my water intake, been hoping on my gazelle (though I'd prefer to just walk, but that will probably only be on the weekends), and just... relaxing. Trying not to stress about all the crap running through my head. It is a work in progress ;-)

As we approach 2013.....

The itch for another baby continues. I feel like everyone around me has a newborn or is pregnant or is TTC... and honestly, most days it drives me mad. We were supposed to be casually TTCing starting this past month, but alas life happens and the baby making has been pushed back another year. I 'know' its for the best, no doubt, but it does not make it suck any less.

Nolan is growing. He is so big and vocal. I love how much he learns and grows everyday. He is such a kind and loving soul, it amazes me all.the.time. His second Christmas is approaching and daddy and I are beyond excited. Last year was fun, but he'll be much more involved this year and we just can not wait!! So far on the Christmas list is a Fisher Prce 3-step table, plastic dump truck (for outside), a Radio Flyer rocking/bouncing horse, a set of Hot Wheels cars, a potty chair, and a couple Christmas DVDs.

New pictures are definitely needed. Note to self, take a break from school work, and add pics to the Blog! (We'll see how well that works)

Weight Watchers Week 2 & 3

Week 2 was depressing. After walking 5 out of 7 days I had not lost nor gained a pound. Boring and  uneventful which is why I didn't post  :)

Week 3 ended with a total of 6 out of 7 days walked and a loss of 4 pounds. I was pretty bad over the weekend so I'm surprised I did that well!

So yesterday started Week 4! I ordered a gazelle that was supposed to be added to my workout this week, but some how I "site to store"d it to Atlanta, GA so um... I have to get that sorted out! Haha!

This is also Week 2 of my re-quitting smoking. The patches are making sleeping difficult. I get crazy dreams and am tossing and turning all night. This makes for an extra cranky mommy!!

Nolan and I went to the park after work yesterday. We had SO much fun, he didn't want to get off the swing!! Kept screaming at me and doing a death grip when I tried to take him out to play with something else! He's such a little stinker. I love with classes being out we get to spend more time together. Last night we just rolled and played on my bed until he got tired and ready to go to sleep, it was wonderful! <3

Oh and my goal is to take some time to take a picture this week so I can compare progress as I go. I don't know if I'll post it yet since I'm pretty self-conscience, but we'll see ;)

Weight Watchers Week One!

Week One and I am down 3 pounds! Not bad considering we only got to walk one day this past week. This is the last week of classes (YAY! Exams....) I get off early this week though so I'm aiming for at least 3 days of walking. Starting next week (depending on work schedule) I am aiming for 5 days, at least 30 minutes a day! Gotta get some of this weight off before we TTC#2 =)

So here I am, one week down at 207lbs! Only.... alot more to go!

On the Nolan front, we are up to 8 teeth! It's amazing the boy didn't have any until he weas over 11 months old and now they are just popping through left and right. I guess that is why he is seeping so horrid and ending up in bed with us pretty regularly these days. We've decided we will be weaning before classes start back in the fall. I am not looking forward to that, it is going to be difficult...... =( I need him to be able to be put to sleep by himself. I can't be nursing hime while on Clomid either and it is especially hard to TTC if there is always a baby in bed with you. So we'll see. I have plenty of time to look into different methods and find one that wil work for us. Wish us luck LOL!!

It's time to LOSE IT!!!

Weight that is!! I started Weight Watchers on Monday... Weighed in at 210 pounds O_o

This week and next I will just be counting points, school is out after next week (finals, yay...) and I'll hopefully be joining a gym. A couple of the ones in our area are offering free trials, so I'm going to give it a go and see how I like it.

I'm going to *try* to remember to log in what I weigh each week to keep myself accountable, but I'm realistic and know I'll probably forget ;) My goal is to loose at least 40 pounds, but preferaby 60! I am SO ready to get this weight off!!

Hubby and I have decided that we will be TTCing #2 at the end of this year (or possibly Jan 2013)!!! There are a few things (finances, birth issues, etc) before it is set in stone, but it's looking ike I will definitely be having a baby by the end of next year =D

Anyways, just my quick update!!

My First Post Partum Cycle

Not that it's anything anyone is overly interested in, but I feel the need to get a few things out. I started my period after almost 13 months of being gloriously AF free on March 1st. I didn't expect much, but decided to start tracking as a just in case-so that I could an idea of what my body was doing. Everything was going relatively normal (for me) with near positive OPKs, bunch of jagged temps, and a whole lot of random fertile CM. Than on March 26th, something crazy happened!

Thats right, a positive OPK O_O Hubby and I stared in disbelief at what could NOT be happening. I ovulated, ON MY OWN! This was an awesome (albeit unexpected) event. Something we had hoped would happen after having Nolan, but never truely expected. The problem being, we had DTD on the 24th. Meaning we, were unfortunately in the 2WW.

As excited as I was to have ovulated, my emotions led me to scared sh*tless of the possiblity of being pregnant. Yes, I want another baby. No, I do not want another baby NOW. 2 under 2, um.... No thank you O_O Now sitting at 6dpo, awaiting the next 8-9 days until this cycle is over. I am at the mercy of chance at the moment and awaiting the answer.