5/25 A Birth Story

Jakk's birthday got me thinking, and I didn't have my blog while I was preggo, so I didn't get to share my birth story!
Back story: I had a C-Section with M 2/20/08 due to placenta previa, and got pregnant again with in seven months. They normally suggest waiting at the least 18mths between pregnancies to have a VBAC. So we had to go with a repeat C-Section since my LO's were due to be 16mths apart...J's due date was June 19th!

May 19, 2009: I left work early because I wasn't feeling good...Later that night I felt my belly getting really tight and staying that way for about 30sec. I timed it and it seemed to be every 4mins....I was thinking..I still have a whole month left..well we dropped M off with my parents and headed to the hospital. When I got there they hooked me up and quickly realized that I WAS contracting and they were every 2minutes at this point. I wasn't dialated though, but was 50% effaced. At this point the contractions were peaking at 75-100 on the monitor, but all I was feeling was tightening...uncomfortable, but not painful! They kept me overnight and gave me meds to stop my labor since I was only 35wks and needed a section. I was sent home the next day on BED REST!!!
I took the next couple of days to spend quality time with M since I knew the day was nearing.
May 22, 2009: I had a normal check up with Dr. Gass and he was a little concerned, and so was I, that the baby wasn't moving much at all. He sent me back up to the hospital to do a NST and BPD ultrasound. During the NST we got a little worried because he really was NOT moving at all. Just before the ultrasound tech came up to get me, my nurse had me drink a soda, and once we got down to US my little man was moving all over! Thank God!! Finally I got to go home, but Dr. Gass explained to me that at this point I was 36wks so if I went in to labor he would not stop it. He said that the meds used to stop labor can only be useful up to a certain point.
May 25th, 2009:Memorial Day I had been contracting all day, but I definitely didn't want to go to the hospital just to get sent back home. So I dealt with it, after all it wasn't really that painful just uncomfortable. We went to the park with M and then gopt a bite to eat at Wendy's since we had had an early dinner that day. While at Wendy's I kept rushing to the bathroom because I felt like I had to go...so much pressure, but again not painful. Then as we were leaving I started to feel like my stomach was staying tight, so I told Derek I think we needed to go to the hospital. We again drop M off with my parents (we left no car seat because we figured we'd be right back) We got to the hospital(7:30pm) and my contractions were again every 2minutes, and I was dialated 1-2 and 75-80% effaced...Yep I was in active labor since I had dialated and effaced since my appointment on May 22nd. The nurse came back in after calling the doctor and she had a familiar brown cup in her hand...it was the stuff you drink before a C-Section! So I knew it was time! She said that Dr. Gass felt it was time to do the section if it was ok with me..I said sure, what time? I wanted to call and get everyone there...she said "in about an HOUR!" What??? Derek rushed to get everyone there as the nuring team got me prepped and ready to go. Everyone was nice except my scrub nurse..go figure the one that was going to stay with me during surgery...she was getting irritated because I told her I didn't want my foley catheter inserted until after I got my spinal. That is my choice you know, and those things are not comfortable at all!!! Well this section was a little different because they gave me a spinal instead of an epidural(there is a difference), they did my spinal in the OR instead of the LD room, and with a spinal you can still feel things...I promise it actually kind of hurt. I told the anesthesiologist that I could feel him cutting and you know what he said? "Trust me it's not as bad as if you weren't numbed at all!" What? I just dealt with it...and trust me with M I didn't feel anything! So at 8:40pm (only 1hr 10mins after arrival) Jakkson Alaxandar was born weighing 6lbs 6.5oz and 19.75 inches long! They showed him to me and he was beautiful...perfect! His Apgar scores were 8 and 9! Everyone made it as Derek was carrying him out!
Derek left the OR with him and I was sewed up and taken to recovery...I must have fell asleep during that part because I just remember waking up in recovery...haha I wonder what the OR team thought about that:)
So while I was in recovery I was just counting down that hour until I got to see my new baby boy! When they took me to my room, everyone was looking atme weird, but no one would say anything...I was starting to get freaked out. Then Derek tells me that J is in the NICU becaus he was having trouble breathing and his sugar kept dropping...I immediately called the NICU to find out what was going on...they had him on an IV of antibiotics, and were running tests. I told them I was breast feeding and I knew it would help his sugar level if I could just feed him, so they brougth me a pump and I pumped for him...they fed him with droppers like a sick puppy:( I felt useless because I still couldn't move my legs. With an epidural you get feeling and movement back very quickly, but with a spinal it takes up to 8hrs!!! So yep it was the next morning before I even got to see my new baby! I spent my whole time almost in the NICU, and J's nurse was amazing..she encouraged skin-to-skin and told me I was a pro Breastfeeder haha...J got out of the NICU that Wednesday, so I was able to have a normal experience with him that last night at the hospital!

There you have it! Hope you enjoyed!

Happy Birthday Jakkson Alaxandar!!

Jakk,

One year has passed since you were born! You truly were a blessing to our family. God sculpted you perfectly to make you a match in the Neal family! You look just like Uncle Rickey Mommy, and your smile could melt the sun:) You were born 6lbs 6.5oz and were 19.75 inches long...Daddy's little football! You are truly amazing! You were so anxious to come into this world that you forgot that you were supposed to be a June baby! I like to say you wanted to make it to the Memorial Day party;) Yep you were born 4 weeks early on May 25th, 2009...Memorial Day! You were born at 8:40pm, only 1hr and 10minutes after arrival at the hospital!! Since that day, my world has turned upside down! (In a good way) Your older brother Maddox was only 15mths old when you were born. He couldn't even walk yet! But...he was so excited from you arrival, and wanted to be able to teach you things and help take care of you, that...he started walking that day after we came home from the hospital with you!! He loves on you and smothers you with kisses. And now that he is two and you are one, he "toughens you up" and wants you near him all the time. From the time we wake up until we go to bed, he wants you there...you are the ONLY one he will share with:) Consider yourself very lucky! Some things you have accomplished by your first bday:

You rolled over for the first time when you were 2mths old...you can sit, and stand, and you have even taken 2steps by yourself! You can climb anything...you can even climb out of your high chair! You can say Momma, Dada, bubba, NO!, dog, what?, yeah, and hey! You can pretty much eat with a spoon, you don't take a bottle or binky, but you do suck your thumb! You smile all the time, and have been giving hugs since your were 4-5mths old! I mean real hugs squeezing and all! It makes me sad to see you "all grown up" and not a baby anymore, but it makes me proud to see the little boy you have become! I love you and so does Daddy and Maddox. This last year has been amazing, but now my baby is 1! I hope you enjoy your first birthday!

Love Always,

Mommy!

New Wardrobe

I know I have been neglecting my blog, but to be fair I have started Microbiology this past week! Anyway, if you remember I tlked about how I sold off almost all of my baby stuff. Well, with that money ( I considered it the boys money. After all it was their stuff) I went yard sale-ing and got all kinds of things for the boys! Name brand stuff...Gap, Childrens Place, Old Navy, Polo...you name it! You see while the boys are going to school (day care) these 6weeks, I wanted to get them some good play clothes. Have I mentioned I LOVE YARD SALES! You can get stuff next to nothing that is still in really good condition...especially kids stuff! So..I took or tried to take a picture of all the stuff I got

Jakk: 14 single shirts, 5 outfits, 3 pairs of shoes, 1 shorts, 1 blue khakis, 2 overalls, and more...

Maddox: 7 single shirts, 7 outfits, 1 pair shoes, Gap Jacket,  Swim Trunks, and more...

Some of Jakks stuff...three views to get a better view of it!

Some of Maddox's stuff...take a look at those shoes. Can't see? Well here:

Yep M got a cute little pair of Sperry's for $1!!!

Here is some more of their stuff! Matching dress shirts:)

That's M's Gap jacket and J's overalls!

Well there you have it! That's all the cool stuff I got the boys to destroy play in while at daycare for the next few weeks! I mostly did this so my mom could see what I was talking about now that she lives a bazillion miles away!

Oh...also J's Bday shirt came in!!!! I took a picture on my phone so it's not the best picture but here it is!

Isn't it just the cutest thing you've EVER seen??? :)

I found a pair of babylegs that matched perfectly on Targets website..so...I thought I'd check the store first to save on shipping...yeah I should have known that we wouldn't have such cute things here in BG :/! Now it's too late to order them, oh well..J will just have to show his bare legs :)

LOVE

Teeth Are Important Too!

Soo..back in January (you know when I was negligent to my blog) I took M to the dentist for the first time! I had originally planned on taking him last summer, but with the new baby it was kind of hard to get around to it. Anyway I found a GREAT pediatric dentist to take him too. You see I was terrified to take him to a regular general dentist because, well...I'll just say it...M was a biter! Yep, he sure was. I mean I wasn't too concerned over the summer with taking him because he had never bitten anyone but me, Derek, and my dad. BUT....since I couldn't get around to it this summer, his allergy appointment had to come first. This is when I realized that it might not be a good time in his little life to take him to the dentist. When M was at his allergy appointment, he bit his nurse! You probably remember me blogging about that back in October. Well come January I decided to put aside my fear and just take him to the dentist! After all it wasn't me he was going to bite! it could have been a one time incident! Well...his dentist appointment went great (no biting!!!), and he even got his picture made and a report card! The dentist office was like the coolest office EVER! M enjoyed plaing on the pirate, yes I said pirate, ship and playing video games while we waited. The actually room was a huge room where there were several chairs, and the walls were painted with cute ocean scenes! How adorable!

My teeth are all pretty and clean! NO CAVITIES!!!

 

My report card! I got an A!!! That's for healthy teeth, no cavities!

Yay Maddox! His next appointment is this July, and I am planning on taking J for his first check up then! I am excited to see how that goes! Since his appointment M brushes his teeth (with some assistance from mommy or daddy) twice a day and flosses, yes flosses, 1-2 times a day. We have started this with J as well, and the boys have so much fun lining up in their bathroom in the morning and before bed to brush and floss their teeth! M's new thing is spitting out the tooth paste. That is a big accomplushment considering he was sneak off with the tube of tooth past (flouride free of course) and we would find him eating it like candy! I found a kind now though that tingles, and I think that makes him want to spit it out. I'm not sure if that's why he spits it (although I'm pretty sure it is because I always test thing befor ei give them to my kiddos), but all I know is the very first time we used it he spit in in my face :) J loves brushing his teeth too! After I brush both the top, bottom, and the gums in the back, I say "Let mommy see", and he grins REALLY big to show me all six of his. Too cute! You see dental check ups are just as important as doctor check ups. Dental health is a really important factor in a persons over all health. So practice good oral health bloggy friends!

LOVE!

Brotherly Love

This morning M wakes up and climbs in bed with me. Daddy is already gone to work, so just the two of us, M and I, lay there snuggling and tickling. It was great. It brought back memories of when it used to be just the two of us every morning, and we would stay in bed and tickle and snuggle until we really HAD to get up! Then M stops...he hears something..."JAKK!" he say. You would think that hearing his brother would ruin the moment for him. You would think that he would beg me to stay with him in bed instead of going to get his little brother. Nope! Off the bed he flew calling behind him "Jakk, I have to go get him" "Jakk, I'm coming" You know, M really loves his little brother. He really wants him there beside him at all times. He tries so hard to tote him around wherever he goes (as much as a two year old can pack a soon-to-be one year old). There are forever friends! When I found out I was preggo again after only 7mths of being a new mommy, I was of course worried how M would take it. People said it would be hard that he would be jealous...Well!, let me tell you they were WRONG! M barely showed any signs of jealousy. He shared kisses and hugs, and as soon as he could say his name, he says it all  the time! Yeah, sure, sometimes M tends to "beat up on Jakk (Jakk usually laughs and goes along with it) but I don't think he does it out of jealousy but rather out of being a BIG BROTHER! So...after seeing how much M truely cares for J this morning, I found this poem that fits so perfect for Maddox!

Big Brother / Little Brother

I brought him home today

you’re now a big brother, waiting to play

but soon he'll grow, and you will see

just how much fun, being a big brother can be.

Soon he'll follow you everyday

and he'll repeat whatever you say,

he will always be your friend

his love for you will never end.

There's no greater bond of friendship here

than that of brothers who's love is dear.

So please be patient, very soon he'll grow

there's so much, he needs to know

how you came first, to lead the way

and at his side, you'll always stay.

All about the right things to do

you know he will be watching you.

This is the best way for you to see

how much you really mean to me.

When you can see that love can grow,

it's only then, that you could know.

 

 

 

So there you have it hope you enjoyed!

Love!

More on J's BDAY!

As Jakk's birthday is nearing and nearing (2wks from today, party is 2wks from Saturday!) I have started really getting anxious. I have so much to do, and really all I have actually done is plan :/ This weekend is when I am really getting down to business though! I have however found the most perfect first bday outfit! Like I mentioned before, I wanted to find a Mickey costume to put him in when guests are arriving. Well, I have found his actual birthday outfit to wear the rest of the party...and it is to die for ;)

Of course it will say Jakkson instead of Hunter...But isn't this just the cutest little thing ever! I found it on Etsy and it is extremely cheap!

Put it with a pair of babylegs and Tada!

I think it will be perfect!!! What do you think?

 So I have some bitter sweet news today...I have officially sold M's baby bed, the travel system I had, and I am selling M's baby bedding this afternoon. It's good news because I have no use for these things anymore, and I made the boys some money while I was at it! But...it is so hard to depart with those memories that are attached to those things. I have people that ask me "What about when you get preggo again? You have sold just about all of your baby stuff!" Well to answer your question...Derek and I don't plan on having any children until I am done with nursing school, and am out in the work force. We then want to have a house built for our growing family...THEN if we feel the need to expand our little family, we will. By that time, we will be financially stable enough to start over in a sense and get new baby stuff.! How exciting will that be? The munchkins will be old enough to help pick things out and our house willl be able to accommodate a party of five! So it will be awhile, but I do have names picked out that I am keeping secret because I have had my names stolen WAY too many times! Also with my third pregnancy we will NOT be finding out the gender! YIKES! I think I can do it, or atleast I hope I can! I know you get the same surprise at 20wks you get at birth, but we've gone that route...there were no surprises with our first (too much excitement), we kept the name a surprise with our second (It was so neat to see everyone surprised at the hospital), and now when the next one rolls around(haha) we will keep the gender a surprise!

Oh before I go...I have to do this

Here's M at his first Bday party! That was his bday outfit! Precious!

Look at those gorgeous eyes!!!

Ok that's all!


LOVE!

Who I Am As A Mommy

Some things have got me thinking lately about what kind of mommy I really am. You see I come from a family that was born and raised in the NORTH, but I was being raised in good 'ole Kentucky! What my family was used to when it came to parenting was quite different than here in the south. When I was little I had a friend who's mom had just had a baby...and...she breastfed! *Gasps* Yep to me as a a five year old that was weird, but what was more weird is that he was still breastfeeding when he was 3! How sad is that...no NOT that he was still breastfeeding, but that I thought that was weird!!! Well it's a good thing that I came around when it was my turn to have children :) Yes like I've said before I did breastfeed and I am a huge advocate for BF! It is not only good for the baby, but the bond you develop with your little one is just unmeasureable! It isn't that my family was unsupportive (they actually adjusted quite well to my odd decision), but they just were thrown aback that I had made the decision to BF when I had never been around that kind of parenting. My sister used formula with my nephew which is totally her choice, and I guess it was expected that I would too. Now to the issue of the 3yr old BF...for those of you that aren't aware of this style of parenting it is called crunchy and this form of "crunchiness" is called self-weaning. This is where you let your LO(little one) have complete control over when (s)he decides to wean off the breast. I actually chose to do this. I would have let my children BF until they were 1.5-2 if thats when they weaned. Unfortunately, I was only able to exculsively BF Maddox until he was 4mths and then I stopped all together when he was 7mths when I found out I was preggo with Jakk. I would have kept on BF, but I wasn't too sure how that worked (because BF causes uterine contractions) and I was SO sick that I don't think I could have anyway! With Jakk I was able to BF exclusively for 8mths! I feel that to be an accomplishment. I then tried to supplement with formula, he then had an allergic reaction to cow's milk, so since he was almost 1 by this time, I just starting him on soy milk. J barely took a bottle which means he was so easy to break from one (he didn't even really know what he was missing). So you think I'm kind of weird yet? I don't really know about letting my munchkins BF until they were 5, but yesterday I was holding M and I was like "I could handle BF a 2 year old!" I used to not be able to imagine that, but once you have kiddos, your views seem to change alot!

SPANKING: Have you ever seen those children and thought "Man, that kid need a spanking"? I know I have I used to babysit a couple of them!
I know, I know big controversy...but... here I go!
I have always said "I was spanked as a child, and I turned out just fine!" Cliche, I know! Well I have stuck by this even after having children. Neither of my boys are really a spanking age, but I have had to swat M a time or two, and swat J's hand to show them not to do something when NO just simply didn't work. BUT.....I have found that since having J I have really kind of started a new form of discipline. I know my boys are still babies, but I have found this more effective than spanking. For example, when M is doing something he shouldn't, I simply say "M, look at me" then (it's so cute because he will look straight into my eyes, which makes me not want to discipline at all!) when I have his attention I explain (in toddler language) why he should not do what he's doing, and then offer an alternate idea. Lately, we have found this to work GREAT! Now don't get me wrong he IS 2, so there are times thatwe still need to use spanking or time out as a punishment, but lately this has really worked for us!!!

There you have it...2 ways that we have gone "against the grain" so to speak when it comes to parenting. But what I always say is "I am the BEST mom there is for MY children" :)

I am slowly but surely sculpting into a mommy all her own. I have different beliefs than most, but I don't care because I want what is best for my children. I have had two C-Sections that I DO NOT regret, but know that in those situations I had really no choice. I do know however that when we decide to have another baby, I will be going all natural. Derek is all for it and totally supportive, and if I can't find a provider that will let me VBA2C I will labor at home until I know it is time to push! They will then have no other choice once I get to the hospital :) That is a whole different post though ;)

LOVE!

A Week and a Half Break!

Today is the beginning of my week and a half break. I can't say it's the beginning of summer for me sadly because I am taking two summer classes this year. I have decided to take Microbiology so I don't have to take that night mare with nursing! I am also taking Spanish. You don't have to have that for my program, but I thought it would be useful in the nursing field. I mean it has been like 8 years or something since I have taken Spanish in high school, and the only Spanish I have used since then is restraunt Spanish at Chick-fil-A grand openings. !Sandwich con lechuga y tomate! Yeah not very helpful in nursing;)

So I am happy to anounce that my first grade from this semester has posted and I got....an A in my first nursing class of the program!!!!!! Yay! You see the grading system is a little wack, so I was scared that I wouldn't technically get an A. To get an A you have to have a 92%! But I did it Yay!! My anatomy grade hasn't posted yet...leave it to her to be lagging behind ;) Butttt...* if I got an A on the final, I got an A in the class...fingers crossed! I know I have high hopes, but that's just me. When I was at WKU, I felt like I could never make a good grade, but now at BGTC I am doing so well, and I am shooting for a 4.0!!!
One semester down....three more to go! Next semester though I only go like half a semester then I have to do my first semester of practicum. That means no class, but free labor with a mentor at a facility of our choice. We do learn OB next semester though, so I will get to work in the Maternity unit at T.J. Samson! I  get to help deliver babies!!!!! (or clean up afterward...but hopefully help with delivery!)

*I had to stop right there because M had taken off his pull up in the kitchen...what a big boy right? Well yeah, if only he hadn't taken off a poopy one! Yep poop in the kitchen floor at 8:30 in the morning is not...well it's not really anything unusual in this house:)

Well that's all for now! Ohhhh before I go, I wanted to let you all know that my friend Christine had planned on taking some fun pictures of the boys the same day M got admitted to the hospital. Whoops! But she gladly rescheduled for May 14th! We are so excited. Check out her photo blog! http://playfulprintsbychristine.blogspot.com/! Enjoy!

Jakk is about to turn 1!!!

Two posts in one day! WOW! Well I thought I would let you in on what I have been planning for Jakk's birthday coming up later this month. His first birthday is on May 25th, but we will be having his party May 29th (Memorial Day weekend). SOooo we were going to have it at the park, but I cancelled my reservations and decided to have it at home in our back yard! We will cook out put up kiddy pools and such and have a good ole' time!
Ok so the theme of his bday is going to be Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Perfect for my little man!
I am making the cake (as I did for both of Mado's bdays). I love making cakes and am getting pretty good at it;) I have been practicing for this one on the back of a cookie sheet:

I just draw it on with black icing...

And make tiny little stars all over in the appropriate spot with the appropriate colors!

Pretty good I think!!!

This is the party stuff I am planning on getting

It will be a party full of fun!

I can't wait some other ideas I have but am still just thinking about are:

Putting mickey mouse and friends figurines in the punch and have them just floating around in the bowl.
Dressing Jakk in a mickey costume (just at first because it will get hot!)

I think he will be just a doll in this little costume!!!

I just can not wait until his party!!! If you have any other unique ideas that are MMCH themed PLEASE let me know. Just comment below I really would like some help!!!!

LOVE!

Gotta Catch Up!

Here I am wanting to keep my blog up to date, but so many things seem to stand in the way. :/ Oh well let's see what all has went on since I last posted. Here's a quick run through

Ihadabigfallingoutwiththedaycaretheboyswereatsoipulledthemoutfasterthanyoucansaypronto!

Ok I will slow it down a bit :P Anyway, I had a big falling out with the daycare that the boys had been going to 2 days a week. You see they are boys and they sometimes get a little dirty. Well, the daycare doesn't open until 7:30am and I have to be in Glasgow at 8am so that is a small problem, but my in-laws were there to save the day. I just drop them off there on the way to school, and they take them to daycare for me. While at Nana and Papaw's the boys get overly slightly spoiled with goodies and had chocolate under their nails one day when they went to school. that chocolate seemed to alarm the daycare into thinking that I don't bathe my kids which in turn progressed into I don't have the money to buy laundry detergent! Whoa! Back up! I am very picky about my children's clothes and appearance, so NO I don't need your free laundry detergent or you to give my kids a bath thank you. I was irrate, but I handled it in a professional manner and told them how I can ASSURE them that my children do receive a bath EVERY day. I explaine how they go to my in-laws and get spoiled a bit before school. I also told her that Maddox has Acute and Contact Dermatitis and if he was not bathed everyday or if his clothes were not wahsed he would break out like this. Crazy woman! The daycare also did several things that were just the last straw with me:

1.They started Jakkson on solid foods before asking me. By solids I mean table food! at 8 or 8 1/2 months! I didn't really mind too much, but they didn't even ask me first and it is my child! And for you mom's out there that breastfeed, you know how hard it can be to continue to BF once your LO gets a taste of table food!
2.They gave Jakk fish at 9 mths! They may not seem too bad, but you are not supposed to give a child under the age of two fish. It can lead to food allergies when they get older. Kind of like peanuts! Well, I was kind of leaniant when Maddox was Jakk's age, but fish is one thing that Maddox DID have an allergic reaction to! Any daycare should know things like this about foods!
3.I told them that Jakk was allergic to cow's milk and they still gave him dairy products which caused him to break out. They were aware of him breaking out even and still did it!

DON'T MESS WITH THIS MAMA! :)

Well the eaisiest thing to do was to switch daycares since I have two summer classes this summer and they would have to go full time for 6weeks, and I definitely didn't want them at the daycare that many days a week!
So that's all done they are now at Lost River Academy and are doing great. (this place doesn't call me all day long to tell me my kids are crying. Actually my munchkins don't even cry there!)

So they went to LRA two days last week and them M caught a stomach virus and was hospitalized. Yep we were admitted to T.J. Samson Hospital Friday afternoon after several hours in the ER trying to get rehydrated! M's BUN* was a 27! That's bad! My poor guy was puking like the exorcist;) No really if you have kids you know what a child with projectile vomitting is like....EXORCIST! We were finally discharged Saturday evening which was such a relief! You are probably wondering why we went to T.J Samson also...well, you know Derek (OZ)'s grandmother has kept the kids for me while I was in school the other days that they weren't in daycare, and I was taking Jakk up there (Glasgow) when Maddox took a turn for the worst and vomitted all in my van:/ ! So, I just took him to T.J. since it was right there and i didn't think I would be able to make it to BG with M like this! We had a good experience over all at T.J. though! They have a really good pediatric unit!

*BUN is basically a measurement of how dehydrated you are. A 2 year old should have a BUN of 10 and his was 27! An adult's should only be on average a 20!

So I guess you all are pretty caught up to life with us!