Errant Soprano Studios

Seamus’s Birth was pretty much everything that we could have hoped for.  After the crazy disaster (or near disaster) that was Declan’s birth, we were determined to do it differently should we have a second baby.   I did a lot of reading on birth in preparation, and spent a lot less time learning about the pregnancy itself.   I read The Birthing Book by the Dr. Sears, re-read Orgasmic Birth, and read Hypnobirthing.   We didn’t take a class this time and instead practiced at home when we could.  I wrote up a distinct birth plan (will do a later post of that in a couple days) and found a doula to support us for the birth.  My doula was a friend from High School who is studying to become a doula and she did such an amazing job – we couldn’t have had better support for this birth!

Back to the Birth itself.  Around the full moon in April – A blood moon, I’m told – I started experiencing prodromal labor.  It would pick up in the evening and be consistent then die off.  I was super happy it was dying off and never got terribly regular!  I didn’t want a repeat of Declan’s birth!   I started to suspect that I wouldn’t make it to 40 weeks with this pregnancy either.

Thankfully, once the full moon passed, the prodromal stuff stopped completely and we went on with life as usual.  Around 36 weeks the prodromal labor returned.  Nothing crazy, but present.  I timed the contractions, but never felt at all concerned – and I was right!  at my 36 week appointment I was effacing, but not dilating at all.  Whoo hoo!  Maybe I’ll make it after all!

Then, on May 6 I had a little spotting after a morning at the park with my monkey.  I knew it was the start of my bloody show, but I also knew that I had show with Declan about 2 weeks before he made his appearance.  I let my husband, doula (Chevy), and mom know so they would know that it *could* be soon.  That afternoon contractions picked up, but weren’t at all painful and I didn’t think too much of it and went on with my day as usual.  Then, at 2am on May 7th, I woke up with an actual painful contraction and a little more show.  I was convinced something was happening now,  so we contacted my doula and mom and started to prepare for things to happen.  As the morning progressed the contractions got super consistent at about 1:20 apart and stayed there for a while.  We decided to head to the hospital around 4am.  In triage they found me to be about 3cm dilated and while I waited, the contractions slowed way down.  We decided to leave, get breakfast, and go for a walk to see if we could get it to kick into high gear.  So, off to breakfast and home to the monkey and my mom.  The whole gang went to the park and my doula and I set off to walking.  Sure enough, the contractions picked up, but I could still stride through them, talk through them and function fully.

We went home and started to putter around the house.  Contractions picked up big time. I was having to stop and focus and Chevy started applying blessed counter pressure.

But, before you get too excited… I started to get tired.  REALLY tired.  It was now around 1pm and I’d been awake and moving since 2am.  around 2pm the contractions slowed.  I slowed.  And then they stopped.  I decided to nap.  I had a few contractions while dozing, but nothing like they had been.  ok.  So, we had stalled.  Chevy had a suspicion as to why.

I was watching my beautiful boy, wondering how I could do this, change his life so much.  Grieving that our ‘just the two of us’ thing would be over.  How could I focus on this new baby when my first baby was so amazing? Chevy had me talk to her about what might be holding me back emotionally, physically.  I broke down.  I wrote letters –  one for each boy.  Then we tried one more walk and decided things were pretty much done for the day.  We sent everybody home and settled in for a normal night.  Captain Awesome and I slept like the dead that night.  I got about 8 hours of sleep for the first time since I hit the 3rd trimester and that felt amazing.  I woke up feeling refreshed and looking forward to another day with my little love and we enjoyed a nice, NORMAL, day.  Midwife appointment, grocery store, nap, students, park…

At the 38 week midwife appointment, she informed me I was at 5cm and since I was GBS positive and this was a second baby, we should probably head to the hospital when things picked up again because they could go fast and if I didn’t get the full dose of antibiotics they could make us stay longer at the hospital.

At around 6pm, after Captain Awesome got home from work, I noticed contractions picking up again.  Again, I let people know that stuff was happening and that we’d contact them when/if we needed them.  Contractions continued to pick up and I decided to shower and go to bed and see if I could get some rest.

I managed a doze, but that was about all.  Contractions seemed to be picking up where they left off the day before.  We contacted my mom so she could (hopefully) go to sleep and get some real sleep rather than having to switch beds in the middle of the night.  Then we contacted Chevy.  Soon everyone was assembled and we decided to not wait and just head into the hospital based on my midwife’s advice.

After some here and there (I wasn’t dilating fast when we went in) I was admitted.  As soon as I was allowed to stand up, contractions started rocking again and it was decided that we made the right decision.  I was in the right head space and we were going to rock this!

Progression seemed slow.  The contractions were still fairly manageable with breathing and I was happy to walk around the hospital and experience labor. At one point I took a nap – aware of contractions happening, but enjoying some much needed rest.  I went into a strange time warp and was happy to just slip out of ‘real time.’  At some point in the morning, the midwife came in, said I was progressing, but slowly.  I was having really frequent and intense contractions that I was barely registering (dubbed ninja contractions by captain awesome), so they didn’t want to send me home, but they were a little concerned about how slow progression was (afraid I’d be sent home and become what the nurse called a ‘stop and drop’) – so the midwife offered to sweep my membranes.  I had thought I wouldn’t want to do that before I was in labor, but it sounded like a welcome intervention at this point.  Unlike last time, the membrane sweep didn’t hurt at all!  It actually TICKLED and I made everyone bust up laughing by giggling and saying in surprise “it tickles!” Apparently the best ever response to a membrane sweep!

After that, I went on a walk with Captain Awesome.  It was so nice holding hands and walking kind of like we did back when we were dating, except in hospital corridors with doctors and nurses and the occasional newborn cry.

Around the time we returned to our birthing suite the midwife who ended up delivering Seamus came in to introduce herself.  We were delivering at a hospital where you get whoever is on call.  We were prepared for that and found that every midwife we saw in the journey was truly amazing and we loved them all!

After the ‘tickling’ membrane sweep, things picked up a tad.  It was getting progressively more intense and I was having to vocalize through contractions, whereas before I could just breathe through them.  At this point Chevy, C.A. and I had an impromptu dance party.  I had asked for some music and, as I could feel baby low in my pelvis, and the contractions were aching, I began walking like an old, saddle-sore cowboy.  Which turned into awkward cowboy dance moves.  My dance moves had the other two in hysterics and we’re pretty sure the nurses kept dropping in to hang out because they liked the laughter! Really, it was because I was on intermittent monitoring and they had to pop in to check things outMy soundtrack for this part of labor was Crazy Frog, I like to move it, and other classics along that line! :-P .  I guess between the low squats and dance moves plus the sweep, I developed a leak in my bag of waters because I started spontaneously leaking!

All of a sudden the surges got ‘real.’  I found the best way to get through them was by bending forward or dropping on the floor in child’s pose and having Chevy apply counter pressure on my lower back and hips.  A little later we utilized Captain Awesome as a ‘support tree’ – He would hook his arms under my armpits and support me so I could drop my weight into his support completely and vocalize through the contraction. The child’s pose on the floor was my preferred position at this point, but I still wanted music! In fact, I was singing in between surges and low vocalizing when they hit.  Captain Awesome found a couple ‘new’ tracks to play for this part and at one point the three of us were sitting on the singing (harmonizing – we were all choir nerds at some point!) along with the tracks.  My favorites at this point were Straight No Chaser’s In the Jungle and Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry Be Happy.

Around here I decided I really wanted to give the shower a go for pain relief.  I had crawled onto the bed with a heat pack for a couple contractions, so we had to snatch moments in between to strip me down and get me into the shower.  Captain Awesome snuck off and got into his suit and into the shower with me.  The water was AMAZING.  I happily labored in the water for about an hour then crawled back in bed… just in time to hit transition.

Part of my brain – the part that wasn’t in control and had stepped back to watch the show – knew that I had hit transition.  All of a sudden I felt a contraction coming and knew that it was followed by a bunch of nonstop contractions and I flipped out!  The true give away was me yelling “ALL DONE!!!” like my little monkey does.  And the tears.  I was a wailing child and contractions were on top of each other hitting like strong waves in a storm.

At this point I definitely went into the animalistic part of my brain and I had no concept of much of anything – just small moments that pop out.  At some point the midwife came in and was applying counterpressure with my doula while Captain Awesome was stroking my head and our amazing nurse was also hands on.  And she must have checked me (which I wasn’t aware of) and I heard her say “9-10 and a lip” and then she had them roll me over to the other side.  People telling me I can push if I want to and it might feel better if I do.  My body doing ‘pushy’ things that felt off, so me crying and panting through the contractions.  A sudden release that felt like a water slide and suddenly feeling the baby crowning.  A couple monster pushes, spaced out somewhat.  The midwife saying “reach down and take your baby”

and suddenly, I had a squalling, blue and red squalling boy in my arms, on my chest.  And he peed on me.  But it was perfect.  He was perfect.

I got to hold him for an hour, skin to skin, while they delivered my placenta (stubborn and sticky again – so they also brought in an ultrasound to make sure they didn’t  miss any.  Interestingly the Doctor who did the ultrasound was the one who did my D&C after Declan.), stitched up a small first degree perineal tear, and dealt with some hemorrhaging (totally taken care of by pitocin and some kind of suppository). I lost a little blood, but  nowhere near what I lost with my first birth!  He nursed before they took him away from me (across the room to the baby station!) and he latched like a pro on his first try!  

All of a sudden, my doula, midwife, and nurse looked at each other and one of them said; “He was face up.”  Holy Cow, I just delivered a baby in Occiput Posterior position!  Completely naturally with no assistance (vaccum, forceps, etc).  I guess it also explained why it took as long as it did for me to progress from 7cm to full completion and why my contractions were hurting pretty intensely!

This Birth was everything we had hoped for and then some. Natural, supported, and uneventful!  A completely healing experience – in the same hospital!  Baby S and I were doing so well that we were released after 24 hours. We knew what we wanted this time and went for it.  We had support (our amazing doula), a solid birth plan, and our voices ready to go to defend our birth plan – which we didn’t even need to do!

~E.S.

For those who wondered what our birth plan looked like for this birth, this is the birth plan we brought with us and handed out to our caregivers:

To: Caregivers at Kaiser

From: Kand E – Laboring Mother and Father

We have decided to give birth at Women’s and Children’s center because of the facility and staff. We are pleased to have you help us achieve our birth goals and have a happy, healthy baby and mommy.

We are planning to loosely follow HypnoBirthing protocols and would prefer to use gentler terms throughout the birth. eg: ‘surges’ instead of ‘contractions’, ‘release of membranes’ rather than ‘breaking waters’, “birth breathing’ rather than ‘pushes,’ etc.

In the event of any special circumstances, we will give our full cooperation after an informed discussion with the doctor and private consideration between mother, father, and doula.

First Stage:

I would like a midwife to attend the birth.

Present for all stages of birth: Dad E and Birth Coach C

I am planning to labor at home for as long as possible and request the option to be sent home if I arrive at the hospital less than 5 cm dilated.

I am planning to NOT be on my back for any length of time during labor.

I am planning to have my birthing ball and would like baths/showers for pain relief when desired

If an IV is necessary, I would like a heparin lock so that I may get up and move around.

I would like INTERMITTENT monitoring to ensure my comfort while laboring

Please, no internal monitoring unless an absolute emergency arises

Vaginal exams ONLY on consent, and as few as possible

Please no pitocin or breaking of the waters unless deemed absolutely medically necessary and consented to by the parents at the time.

I am planning NO analgesia or anesthesia

I would like complete freedom to move and walk during labor

I would like a quiet room, no excess staff please.

Second Stage of Labor

I would like a choice of positions for pushing and do not wish to be confined to the bed

I am planning to follow my body’s instinct for when and how much to ‘push’ unless it becomes medically necessary to do otherwise.

No episiotomy

if assistance absolutely is needed, please use suction cups rather than forceps

I would like to have baby immediately on mother’s torso after birth

I am planning Delayed Cord Clamping, and would like father to cut the cord.

I am planning to breastfeed immediately to help birth placenta – no pitocin, uterine massage, or pulling of cord please

I would like to keep the lights low unless I specify otherwise.

If stitches are needed, please use local anesthetic.

Third Stage of Labor

I would like baby to stay with parents at all times. no Nursery visits, please.

please delay all routine exams for an hour to allow bonding time

I would like all exams to be performed in view of the parents

If warming is needed, I would like baby on mother’s chest with blankets (kangaroo care)

Breastfeeding only – no bottles or formula

I would like Father to stay with mother and baby

I am NOT planning on circumcision.

Thank you for supporting our choices. we look forward to a wonderful birth.

In the unlikely event of a C-section I would like father (Ethan) and doula to be present.  please allow baby to stay with mother while she is stitched up and moved to recovery

In the unlikely event that the baby needs to be separated from the mother for medical reasons, I want the father to go with the baby.

Before the story of Seamus’ birth can be told and fully understood, the story of Declan’s birth must be retold.  Here are the blog posts of my Birth story from May 2012:

Please be aware that Declan’s birth was traumatic and may be a trigger if you have had a similar situation, are squeamish, or a worrier and pregnant.  

Declan’s Birth Story – Part 1

It is officially one week since I gave birth to our little boy and I still can’t quite believe it!  In the grand tradition of new mommy bloggers, I decided I need to write the story of his birth – and do it before I forget!

It all starts on May 1, 2012…

My work schedule was such that I didn’t start until 2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I woke with contractions that felt different from the Braxton-Hicks that I had been experiencing since week 25 or so of pregnancy. I didn’t really think much of it – I was only 33 weeks and 5 days pregnant, I had been experiencing Braxton-Hicks already, and the cramping really wasn’t that painful.  A little after lunch that day – I spent the morning running errands – I noticed that they were picking up and coming more regularly.  I called the advice nurse and we decided I could totally hang out at home, that things probably weren’t really going anywhere.

May 2, 2012…

when I woke up on Wednesday, the contractions were definitely stronger and only 3-5 minutes apart.  I called the labor and delivery nurse again and she told us to come in.  Sure enough, the monitors showed that I was having contractions 3 minutes apart.  Internal exam showed that I was 2 cm dialated and 80% effaced – officially in preterm labor.  Uh Oh!   I wasn’t progressing very quickly so I was sentenced to bedrest and they let us go home – suggesting that I take Nifedipine to slow contractions down.

3 weeks pass…

May 21, 2012

Things started feeling more intense and I was spending more time with coping techniques (crawling, breathing, squatting) than not, so we decided to go into the hospital to get checked out.  Finding out that we were only 3 and a half centimeters dilated, we decided to go back home to labor.

May 28, 2012

Not again!  I was half sure that the crazy pain increase during dinner was nothing and didn’t want to go to the hospital for another false alarm.  When they checked this time I was 4 cm dilated (FINALLY), but our plan had been to wait until I was 6 cm before going in.  However, when they checked my blood pressure, it was dangerously high and I was at risk for preeclampsia, so they decided to keep me and take measures to induce labor.  Hubby and I wanted to have a natural birth, so we weren’t thrilled about the suggestion to be put on pitocin to speed things along.  Thankfully, the Dr was open to trying to strip the membranes to move things along- which was working swimmingly until they put me on Magnesium Sulfate for the preeclampsia.  At that point, the contractions slowed down and they started me on a Pitocin drip at 4am… so, I guess we’re now at…

May 29, 2012

we called my mom at 5:30 in the morning to come join us in the Hospital.  Our birth team was to include her and the hubby and the hospital staff (who were AMAZING, by the way)  Things were picking up, but still moving fairly slowly.  I wasn’t allowed to leave my room because of the Mag Sulfate (which can make you really off balance and dizzy) or jump in the shower (which had been helping with the contractions up to that point).  Nor was I allowed to snack or drink water.  only 1 small cup of ice chips an hour for me… That was probably the most frustrating and annoying part of the whole experience!!!

Things were still moving fairly slowly, steadily, but slowly, so when I reached 5 cm and my bag of waters had already popped a leak, they came in and fully broke my bag of waters.  weirdest feeling EVER!!!

Declan’s Birth Story – Part 2

May 29, 2012 – 11am
Dr. Rose (the resident on call at the time) broke my bag of Waters (which had sprung a leak about 3 hours before) to help move things along, since they were worried about preeclampsia and really wanted to get the baby out.  It wasn’t something we really wanted to do, but more than that, we didn’t want a cesarean-section and it was starting to look like we were on that track.  So, Dr. Rose used a crochet hook looking thing to break the bag of waters and after the gush, contractions picked up 100% and got crazy, crazy painful!

I gave in to some painkillers to help relax me between contractions because I was tensing up HUGE amounts in between and making things worse.  The way one of my mom & baby nurses put the use of the painkiller was the best description:  ”It’s like drinking a margarita for the pain – you feel nice and relaxed between contractions, but when the contraction hits, you’re pissed because it still hurts like you had no drugs.”

After they breaking the waters, things began moving INSANELY fast.  I went from 5cm to 10cm dilated in an hour and a half. when I hit 9cm my body started telling me to push.  the doctor checked, said “9 cm.  you can push in 20 minutes, but no pushing until then!”

Those 20 minutes were the hardest of my life.  Hubby and my mom spent it talking (and holding!) me down from pushing.  ”Breathe, breathe, breathe.  Don’t push.  you can do this.  Don’t push.  Breathe! Relax!”

Finally, they let me push.  For the first 45 minutes it was the best feeling ever.  I felt strong, in control, and it was a release from the labor that had been plaguing my life for the past 4 weeks.  After that, I just started to feel tired.  I couldn’t help but push when the urge hit, but the Doctor wanted 3 pushes with each contraction and the 2nd and 3rd just felt exhausting every time.  At first I was pushing from my back with hubby and the nurse holding my legs and me pulling back on my thighs.  Then I flipped over on to hands and knees on the bed.  It was at this point that I lost any need or desire for modesty.  I tore of the hospital gown, moaning something about “I can’t wear this anymore.  get it off, get it all off.”  I really wanted to get rid of the monitors too, but they wouldn’t let me because they wanted to keep an eye on the baby’s heart rate. I pushed for an hour and a half – starting on my back, middle on my knees, flipping back to my back to deliver.  In the last pushes, as he crowned, they pulled up a mirror so I could see his head.  It was so amazing and it hurt SO much.  During 2 of the pushes, I felt myself tear and I screamed like a banshee – my voice was shot for days – not great for a singer!  Finally his head came out and they unwrapped the umbilical cord and I pushed the rest of him out.  They put him on my chest and we waited for the cord to stop pulsing so the hubby could cut it.  There were tears pouring down both of our faces as we looked at our little boy for the first time.  I kept saying “I did it.  He’s so beautiful.”  over and over again.

The nurses took Declan across the room to weigh, measure, and clean him up a bit while they started stitching me up and worked to deliver the placenta.  

The scary and unusual conclusion to follow.  Please do not read if you are pregnant, a worrier,  or at all squeamish.  

The Conclusion to Declan’s Birth

May 29, 2012
2:30pm

content after eating

As we watched our son get measured, weighed and cleaned up some, Dr. Rose was dealing with something a lot more serious and scary.  I had a tear up the front near the left labia that she was fixing up while trying to encourage the placenta to deliver.  Once she delivered the placenta, she realized that there was a lot of bleeding coming from somewhere.  She started trying to find and repair it with just local anesthetics, but couldn’t.  Dr. Rose then sent one of the nurses to get Dr. McKay, the head OB/GYN on call.  It was about this time that we noticed that something wasn’t right with me

Dr. McKay came in and the two of them were looking and stretching my vagina, looking for the bleed.  It was quickly decided that emergency surgery was necessary.  As they wheeled me out of the room, hubby looks at me while holding our little boy and said “we WILL see you in a little while.  We love you.”

I was so tired that nothing had penetrated until then.  As they were wheeling me down the hall, they were explaining the risks of the spinal block that I was about to get and trying to get permission to administer it.  I remember saying “can you fix it?  Then just do what you need to to fix me.”

I hardly remember anything from the O.R.  I remember arriving and helping maneuver myself to the table, I vaguely remember being mostly asleep and leaning on someone while they administered the spinal block.  Other than that, I remember almost nothing.  They didn’t actually knock me out, but I was so tired from laboring all night (and for nights previous) and pushing the baby out that I slept through most of the surgery.  I woke up about an hour and 15 minutes later and chatted with the anesthesiologist (who was 33 weeks pregnant) while they finished up.

my dad in the PACU, holding Declan for the first time

They wheeled me into the recovery area of the OR wing to wait for the first blood transfusion and my family to come down.  They couldn’t bring Ethan and the baby down fast enough for me.  I couldn’t get that boy in my arms fast enough, though my arms were too tired to hold him for long.

After waiting 3 hours for the blood to arrive (I’m O negative, so I can only get O neg blood and there was apparently none on the shelf – i found out later from a friend of mine who works in the lab there.

The important thing (for any of you who ignored the disclaimer) to know is that this is an extremely rare occurrence.  The Doctor who admitted us to the hospital on the 28th ran into my husband in the hallway during the week and said; (essentially, not exact quote)
“I heard that happened with your birth.  This NEVER happens.  So strange.”
This particular doctor finished his ob/gyn residency in 1987… so he’s been practicing for over 25 years…
There is a reason that this isn’t even on your radar if you’re pregnant. It never happens. A very high percentage of births go exactly as planned, or, at least, not far off plan.  complications like mine are extremely unusual.

cuddles

Finally we went up to the mom and baby ward and began the recovery process.  Some ‘highlights’:

• the catheter… yeah… enough said.
• My amazing husband taking care of me and the baby (along with the nurses, of course).  I thought he was amazing before, now I’m even more head-over-heels in love with him than before.
• first attempted trip to the bathroom (4 feet away) when I pretty much fainted dead away on the floor – thank God for my hubby holding me up!!
• Hubby sleeping so soundly that he couldn’t hear me calling for him, the baby crying, or feel the projectiles I was throwing at him hit him in the face..
• a totally relieving/refreshing sponge bath… from my mother-in-law.  I have to say, having a nurse for a mother-in-law, especially MY mother-in-law, is amazing and such a blessing.
• Hubby McGyver-ing a way to wash my nasty, nasty hair in bed.
• Lots of lovely visits from friends and family
• ‘dropping’ 2 rather large blood clots – first one was 400ml, 2nd was 100ml
• Nearly passing out from trying to walk to the discharge meeting.
• The most amazing Nursing staff.  Loved them all and had favorites; Rebecca, Stasia, Kelly, Lien, and Rose (and the nurse who helped deliver whose name I forgot in the craziness of our delivery…
• Getting in the car to go home.
• Bawling my eyes out because  I wanted to be back in the hospital with our nurses… embarrassing?  perhaps, but they were just that awesome.

This concludes the story of a little man’s birth.  I’ll close with a couple pictures, because I know you’re dying to see! Maybe the next post will be a guest post from the hubby on his side of the birth and being a new father.

~Errant Soprano and Family

 

Our second boy is here!  born May 9th at 2pm, he was a perfect 6lbs, 10oz and 19 inches long!

For those who like counting, I was 38 weeks, 2 days pregnant when he joined us.  About the same as big brother.  I guess this mommy cooks ‘em fast!

Birth Story to come soon, once I get a chance!  Busy, Busy over here!

~E.S.

Time for a random post!

1) I have great belly pride!  Look at this bump! 

37 weeks, 2 days and way more stretch marks this time!  40″ around the belly, 130-ish lbs (18-20 lbs gained).

2) along those lines, as I’m writing this I’m 37 weeks, 5 days along.  My big monkey was born (according to the doctors) at 37 weeks, 5 days.  I think he was more like 38 weeks, 3 days (going by ultrasound measurements) – but making it this far is a milestone either way!

3) I gave in and got someone his first pair of sunglasses (he’s always stealing Papa’s and his daddy’s)!  $3 for a lot of happiness and cuteness.

don’t worry, I was parked in the lot and snagged this before we started driving!

4) This Recipe has been rocking our world.  I adjust the recipe a little (way more garlic), but my little man-who-won’t-eat-meat LOVES the beans, so I know he’s getting some protein!

5) Dreaming of paradise right now!  The weather is being a bit erratic (which really is NBD and whatever) and I’m having fond memories of our trip last Summer!  

Nesting and trying not to think on the inevitable over here!  I’m feeling apprehensive about becoming a mommy of two and know the transition is going to be intense.  Not feeling ready for it to happen, but starting to feel a little uncomfortable in my body!  On the other hand, I’ll miss feeling this little dancer in my belly and watching my belly grow and dance.   So conflicted!

What are your Tuesday things? If you have 2 kiddos, how was the transition for you?  any tips?

~E.S.

Ugh…

I HATE packing. You’d think with baby on the way, the hospital bag would be FUN to pack, even for me. You’d be wrong! Packing stresses me out because I never want to pack much, but can’t stop myself from the ‘what-ifs’ and ‘maybe-I’ll-need-thats’ and end up packing half my house.

If only I could call this completely packed!

That being said, I think I’m doing ok with the hospital bag(s) thanks to my list-making tendencies. I swear, nesting for me is writing million lists that I will promptly forget or disregard when it comes down to it!

So, What AM I packing in my hospital bag(s)?

Stuff for Labor:
Coconut Water
Water bottle
LARA bars
Luna Bars
Clif Shot Bloks

‘Birth’ Ball – aka my exercise ball

Yoga Strap and Baby Sling (for positioning as per suggestion of my doula)

least favorite nursing bra (least attractive one, anyway!

Chapstick (I love the whole foods one, so i’m taking that – in 3 different flavors!)

Vitamin E oil for massage during labor – and some essential oils to smell if I want

Soft Tank top in case I don’t like how the gown feels.

Affirmation ‘Cards’ that I’ve been writing up to remind myself how strong I am!

Stuff for After:
Comfy Nursing Pajamas (I hope, if I  can find some I like)
baby pajamas/nightgown
Clothes for mommy to go home in
3 outfit choices for baby to go home in (who knows what the weather will be!)

Toiletries (including dry shampoo, face wash, lotion, and toothbrush!)

Gift for big brother from the baby (not shown)

I’ll probably also haul another bag along (purse/diaperbag) because it’ll be too much hassle to dig through and move my wallet over!

What did you pack in your hospital bag?  Do you hate packing as much as I do?

~E.S.

Obviously still not doing much on the fitness front over here, but still feeling relatively fit this pregnancy… here’s why!

This Guy:

he’s a non-stop running machine and keeping up with him is a fitness task in itself!  Plus he currently weighs around 30lbs and has been throwing tantrums that involve throwing himself on the ground.  This means that mommy has been carrying him more than she probably ought to (there’s my weight lifting for the day!).

Actually, almost everything about me feeling fit this time around is due to that little monster!

We go to the park (or on an outing that involves walking) every day because he is difficult if we don’t.  I’m frequently lifting him still, so there is muscle work happening.  I often do low squats to get on his level to communicate or play with him (or put his shoes on).  Plus I’m always chasing him down at various speeds!  

Otherwise I’m doing a little yoga maybe once a week and singing regularly (which keeps the abdominal muscles fairly toned in a non-fitness model way).

How do you stay fit when you aren’t ‘staying fit’?  Do you have kids?  Do they keep you in shape or are you doing well about sticking to your fitness plans?

~E.S.

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Trying to ‘claim’ my blog at bloglovin’!  excuse this post.

My lovely monkey and I go to the park almost every morning as part of our ‘routine,’ however we don’t do many of the other fun things that Sacramento has to offer – laziness on my part, probably!

I decided on Wednesday to change that up a bit and we went to the small Zoo in Folsom instead.  It was a perfect mommy-monkey date!

The tiger was right by the edge of its cage, perfect for viewing,

but my guy was all about the DUCKS!  (or, “guckies” as he says)

The sleeping skunk was also a big hit!

We ended our trip with a run around the cutouts so he could stick his face through the hole

All in all a very good morning – until we went shopping… then we were in Toddler meltdown central, but that’s another story for another day…

~E.S.

ok.  I’m inspired by this post by my lovely SIL, Cori at Let’s Eat Grandpa.

Basically, she’s following the 2014 Directive at Kate and Trudy – a measurable Goals thing for 2014.  They are using this guideline to set goals for yourself for a month.

“The one “rule” to stick to is setting goals with the S.M.A.R.T. methodology in mind:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Time-Bound”

I like the idea of having a specific directive for the month – ONE thing to work towards for a month.  So this month, I’m going to try for a Positive May.

Which kind of ties back to this post by Caitlyn at Healthy Tipping Point

So-  With these, spur of the moment goals in mind, here is my S.M.A.R.T. plan for May:

specific - positive thinking, talking, and parenting for the 31 days of May

measurable - ok, this has me stumped…how do you measure {a much needed} attitude change?

attainable -  I’m not looking for miracles here, just a better, less negative, outlook!

relevant - I’m giving birth this month – there has never been a better time to change how I think about myself and how I talk to myself and others!  Positive thinking CAN change the world, at least in my small sphere.

time-bound - I’m focusing on the month of May and the event surrounding becoming a parent a two year old (his birthday is this month) and a newborn.  TWO babies.  POSITIVE THINKING!

OR, as I tried to explain on Cori’s blog in the comments:

Ideally, I’m starting with (heh heh)my hypnobabies CDs they’re all about positive birth affirmations and messages – I want to try and listen to them every day (until the baby comes).

So, specific goals:

• positive self-talk (no negativity about myself to myself)
• trying to emphasize the positive with D rather than the negative (“whoops, that’s not what mommy was looking for, but you did listen well. Thank you.” type of thing) this is the one i forsee having the most difficulty with… y’know, 2 year old and hormonal, pregnant mommy… eek.
• Positive communication in my relationships – aka, expressing thankfulness and appreciate-ive-ness (not a word) towards people more – especially with the hubster.
• Positive thinking about myself. no negative views about what’s coming up this month or what could happen. Trusting in God that He will guide us through this birth and that He made my body for EXACTLY this purpose. and…
• Positive thinking about my soon-to-be achy, lumpy, postpartum body. Positive body image, positive self image, positive about myself in general. like above – what did I do well there? what is marvelous that I can do? etc.

I Think I’m going to try and keep myself accountable on Instagram (@wigglewoggle) with the hashtag #31PositiveDays  Want to do it with me?

What about you?  Do you ever follow monthly goals? How do you keep yourself accountable?

~E.S.