remodeling

I always love watching HGTV and DIY network because of the amazing before-and-after transformations.  I only wish it were that fast to do a remodeling job in real life.  Ours is going quickly - we didn't demo until the cabinets were nearly finished.  We're two weeks (more or less) into the project, we're almost finished with the guest bathroom and have the cabinets up in the kitchen.  Still have tiling, countertops, painting, and details like molding and trim work, not to mention reinstalling appliances.  Perhaps 2-3 more weeks of being kitchen-less.  I'm just looking forward to the day when baby can nap at home in peace!

new beginnings

As the school year begins to wind down, I find myself getting ready to start in a Bible study group that has only 4 weeks left.  I have wanted to join a Bible study, and prayed about it; now that the opportunity is here, it makes me nervous.  I don't pray like I imagine most people to pray, you know, on their knees or in a special spot at home.  I pray whenever the need strikes, whether that's in the shower or driving to work.  The funny thing is, I don't consider myself a woman of prayer, much less a woman of faith.  It just so happens that so many things have fallen in to place in the past couple of months, that I can't ignore it as simply coincidence or happenstance.  The timing is too perfect.

Here's to hoping (and praying) that this works out.  I have so much to learn.

a mommy's journey

As of a couple of weeks ago, I began taking meds to help with postpartum depression and anxiety.  I had been struggling with pretty crippling anxiety throughout my pregnancy, and afterwards, my son's less-than-perfect birth and first two weeks tipped me over the edge.  

T's birth story in a nutshell.  Surprise 37wk induction due to high blood pressure, 18hr labor with 3hrs of pushing, epidural wore off & pitocin distressed T.  He was born without any medical help (forceps, vacuum, C-section), but had to have his blood sugar monitored in newborn nursery.  Ended up in NICU for 13 days, and I had such a hard time accepting that I wasn't taking my baby home with me.  

I had dreamed of this perfect birth (although I was prepared for difficulties), but most of all, taking my precious newborn home with me when I left the hospital.  When that didn't happen, I was absolutely devastated.  For the first few months, I beat myself up over what I could have done differently to keep T from NICU.  Over and over I would replay his birth and think, if I had just said this, or if I had only done that.  It was miserable.

When we got home from the hospital, he decided he wasn't interested in breastfeeding.  He screamed, cried, and turned purple when I put him to breast.  I soon started crying with him, especially at 3am.  This was the other part of my baby dream.  Have a sweet baby who I was able to breastfeed in bed and bond with in that way.  Between T's crying and my crying, hubby convinced me to start him on formula.  I also beat myself up over this.  If only I had tried harder, gone to more lactation center appointments, taken a breastfeeding class, or going full circle, kept him out of NICU...

I finally asked a friend for references to therapists and found a place that specializes in postpartum depression.  It has been wonderful to have my sadness and grief validated and not thrown off as hormones or emotional instability.  Medication has been a wonderful help, but also being focused on changing my attitude and rediscovering my love of crafting, prayerful time, and organizing.  

I want to share my story with other women who are going through these same issues.  Postpartum depression isn't for crazy women, and anxiety during pregnancy, while normal, shouldn't be overwhelming like it was for me.  I was afraid of my doctor laughing at my fears, and while I couldn't have taken meds during pregnancy, she would've helped me be better prepared for the postpartum period.

Don't be afraid to talk to someone.  It's scary, but is worth it in the end.  Do it for yourself, do it for your family, and most importantly, for your health.

xo

projects left undone

but not for long!

• updating the baby book with photos and stats
• finishing a counted cross-stitch with birth announcement

I made a set of four canvas boards with silhouettes of little boys playing.  It's so nice to have a completed project for the first time in a long time. 

Once I finish these two, I am teaching myself to sew!  I want to learn how to sew and be able to make burp cloths, pillow covers, curtains, duvet covers, perhaps even children's clothing.

balancing acts

Being a parent is quite the challenge.  Figuring out baby's schedule, how much he needs to eat, what he wants... it has been a roller-coaster.  Finding time for myself has been like finding that needle in the haystack, combined with working nights and trying to sleep/recover from those while being there for my son is taking its toll on me.  Juggling that with a husband, three pets, an upcoming 2 room renovation, and all the general everyday tasks of life is making me really sit back and think of how I can take care of myself best to take care of my family.
My son when he's upset, prefers that I comfort him and will not let hubby console him.  This makes for some fun nights for hubby when I work and T is not having any of it.  It's so hard to be at work and absolutely positively unable to do anything for either of them.  I am hoping that putting the baby on a schedule will allow hubby to plan his evening better and T to anticipate what's happening next so there's no surprises or upset babies.  
I know it's normal to feel overwhelmed at times, but is it normal to feel this clueless?  I thought parents knew everything, and I'm not a fan of this whole flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants thing.  I feel like I pull a solution out of thin air, apply it, hope it works, and if not, try again.  Researching my options, thinking about things, and applying the perfect solution would be much more my style.  Babies don't allow that.  They want it, want it now, and mine at least is pretty darn vocal about it.  I wonder what happened to that baby manual they're supposed to come with!
We're up for a new experience in the next couple of month.  Solid food!  We give him some rice cereal at night in his bottle to help tide him overnight.  Yes, I formula feed, and it has really worked well for our family.  He's growing well, 50th percentile all around, and is quite the happy little camper. 
Here's to growing, learning, living, and taking care of my family.

por que no?

why not!
I've wanted to write a blog for awhile now.  Hopefully with a baby, home renovations, 3 pets, and a busy schedule I'll have plenty of stories and anecdotes to keep this blog going. 

Enjoy happy baby smiles until next time!