Continuing on from my last post... This is getting a bit spiritual, if you don't want to read that, maybe stop now...
Even before Flynn was born, I knew something was different. I always put that off as "moms always think their kids are special/different/unique..." etc...
Colin gave me a blessing when I was pregnant with Flynn, just as he did with each of my pregnancies. In his blessing, he said (something to the effect of) I would be mindful of our family's health and educate myself on eating healthy.
At first, I just assumed it was in regards to this pregnancy. So, when I started feeling ill and having no energy, the last thing I wanted to eat was something raw, organic and vegan. (my body craves protein when I'm pregnant)
I ate as best as I could, and didn't think too much more of it.
I had a healthy baby boy and life carried on.
For some reason, that was the only thing I recalled from the blessing he gave me. But, don't ask me what he said in the other 2 blessings with the other 2 kids. For some reason this one stuck out.
Over the last 4 years of Flynn's life, it has constantly rung in my head.
When he was 2 years old, our entire household got the "Christmas Tummy Bug".
Brant had it, I had it, Colin had it as well as my Mother and Father in law. (Who we were living with at the time)
Flynn got it too, but he was different. While we all had it for *MAYBE* 48 hours, Flynn's lingered. We thought he was getting better, eating bits of solid food and drinking, only to be throwing up by dinner again. Finally when we realized he was quite pale and looked very dehydrated, we took him to the hospital to have an IV.
He had a great turn around. He was eating, drinking and NO MORE THROWING UP.
The ER doctor had requested blood work on him, including a glucose.
I had been working at the Cardston Lab and knew the techs. We had his blood drawn and I waited for the glucose. I'm not sure why, but like I said, I knew he was different.
Everything had been fine until we moved back to Red Deer. I won't go into his symptoms as I went through all of that in my last post.
I had a great balance in Cardston. My anxiety had never been lower (YES! Even living with my in laws! :P) and even though I was kind of 'single parenting' it, life worked. I felt no pressures, other than to be a good mom. I had a nice circle of friends, those who understood if today wasn't a good day for me to go to the park, who also never felt as if I didn't care about them just because I didn't talk to them for a couple days. It was the 'bestest' thing ever.
After 3 years it was time to be a family again. Colin and I almost had another "newlywed adjustment period" and it was during this time that I KNEW our life in Red Deer couldn't revert back to what it was when we lived here before.
I felt a GREAT impression that I needed to focus more on my family and our life. I needed to be there for my kids, I needed to reorganize our life and become more organized.
I had a very "fly by the seat of my pants" attitude when we lived here before, but I didn't want it any more. If I wanted to go shopping, play with friends or even sew, I needed to plan it out.
We were doing great for about 3 weeks. Activities planned, FHE planned, chores planned and I thought life was going great. I was cutting things out of my life I didn't feel I had the energy to put MORE energy than I had into it. If I had some left, I would but it wasn't often I had much left after giving almost all of it to my family. I went to bed content and happy each night.
I unfortunately, lost (or what I thought was) a close friend over this decision. I wanted to focus 100% of my energy to this little eternal family we had growing and I can't take anyone else to the Celestial Kingdom with me but these awesome people I have!
It was a rough couple of days, but then everything kind of came full circle.
Flynn was diagnosed on January 13th.
Had I not already put things in motion to better plan out our days, meals and family activities I feel like I would be lost. Had things maybe not gone the way they had with certain people, I would feel completely overwhelmed constantly.
I honestly feel the Lord has prepared me for this new life change.
While it's thrown a wrench in a couple aspects, I know we'll get back on track.
I've always felt the Lord's guidance in my life, especially in regards to Flynn.
I KNOW that, while it's been a rollercoaster of a ride these last 5 days, I KNOW without a doubt, that I was being prepared for this year.
I do often times feel overwhelmed and stressed, but I know I can handle this.
Life doesn't often go as planned, but I KNOW Heavenly Father knows what's best for me and my family.
So, let's see what else 2016 can throw at me!
Monday, January 18, 2016
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Meet our Flynn!
This is Flynn! He's our second boy in our family. My calm, happy, cuddly Flynn.
We LOVE him so much, he's been a great balance to his older brother, his wild, crazy, 'fly by the seat of his pants' brother.
We LOVE him so much, he's been a great balance to his older brother, his wild, crazy, 'fly by the seat of his pants' brother.
I loved this boy the moment I met him. After he was delivered (born via C-Section) he didn't make a sound. The doctor kept trying to get him to cry, make noise, anything, and he just was content looking around, everything was amazing and new to him. He's been my quiet, loving boy.
He loves cuddles, MARIO and LUIGI, his dad, dressing up, dancing and movies with popcorn. He loves being together as a family.
The last few weeks, his amazing personality was hijacked. He was cranky, irritable, anxious and clingy.
I honestly thought he was going through a phase. I had been reading the book "The Five Love Languages for Children" and simply thought he needed more one on one with mom and dad, more cuddles and a calmer lifestyle.
We tried that, nothing changed.
He was having trouble wetting himself, being constantly thirsty and peeing about every hour, hour and half.
At first I thought
At first I thought
"I'm just being paranoid"
"It's just a phase"
"He is just under stress"
"He's only 4"
"He's such a sensitive little soul, and things have been different since we moved"
Just about any excuse I could think of, I did.
"He's only 4"
"He's such a sensitive little soul, and things have been different since we moved"
Just about any excuse I could think of, I did.
I'd run it through my head constantly to justify these symptoms.
Until we (Colin and I) both couldn't justify any more.
Until we (Colin and I) both couldn't justify any more.
He had to be changed at least once during the night wearing an actual diaper, and he'd still be wetting the bed.
The final straw was drinking 12 cups of water in a day. THAT'S 3 LITRES! For a 4 year old!
I couldn't view myself as a paranoid mother any longer, he needed a doctor.
Being a Medical Laboratory Assistant, I already knew what the doctor would most likely order and what the likely diagnosis was. Not an exciting prospect, but I knew it wasn't going to go away, only get worse and likely be life threatening if left untreated.
On January 13, 2016, our wonderful, amazing, beautiful Flynn was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
We were... I can't really describe 'how' we were. We had been reading up on the symptoms of constant thirst and urinating so already knew the likely diagnosis. It made the official diagnosis a little more tolerable, but still it still made my heart sink.
It was official.
I wasn't being paranoid.
Something was not right with my Flynn, and there was nothing I could do to fix it.
And that is the most heart-breaking thing any parent ever experiences.
And that is the most heart-breaking thing any parent ever experiences.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Why Cardston?
I've thought about writing this for a while, but each time I have a moment to write, I don't feel like writing.
In 2012, Colin and I felt the undeniable prompting to get back to school. He had been working and teaching early morning seminary and unfortunately school got put on the hold. Our student loans went into repayment and Colin really had no idea what he was going to do anyway. So, our prayers yielded a "stay your course", so we stayed put! BUT, once we had the feeling to head back to school everything just seemed to click.
We didn't have the initial intention of living the way we do now. We had looked for a few places to live in Lethbridge, each either falling through or we felt unsettled about. We even gave a landlord a damage deposit which we lost because our student loan came in much lower than we were expecting.
Colin's parents had mentioned on numerous occasions that we should live with them. I didn't want to, as we'd been our own family unit for 7 years, and was confident we could do this on our own. But each time we prayed and visited the temple, we had the continued feeling that living with his parents is what we should do. Colin's parents were going to be building a house in Cardston and it was agreed that Colin would work for his dad the following summer to help frame, sheath, doors, windows, roof, just about anything he could do! So much to my reluctance, we moved in.
It's been an interesting 2 years thus far, without going into detail. Colin and I have witnessed so many blessings, and I know his parents have too. It's been a wonderful learning experience for all of us. I have gotten to know my in laws better and in turn they have gotten to know me better. They have a chance to get to know their grand kids, as they were overseas for the boys births, and my kids know their grandparents.
I told Colin before we were even married that I never wanted to live in Cardston, but it's been a wonderful experience. I KNOW, each time I attend the temple or pray, that this is where we are supposed to be. We aren't sure why, but I know we've witnessed many wonderful things since doing this.
We will be eternally grateful to Colin's parents for the opportunity we've had to live with them. For the things they've helped us accomplish and for the things we've helped them accomplish. Colin and I joke that we feel like it's preparing us to live the Law of Consecration.
We've had a few individuals express their disappointment with our current living situation. It's been hard to feel judged by people who have no idea what our arrangement is. By either not choosing to listen or refusing to.
But I KNOW without a doubt, this is where my Heavenly Father wants us. Whether those people choose to believe this, is up to them!
In 2012, Colin and I felt the undeniable prompting to get back to school. He had been working and teaching early morning seminary and unfortunately school got put on the hold. Our student loans went into repayment and Colin really had no idea what he was going to do anyway. So, our prayers yielded a "stay your course", so we stayed put! BUT, once we had the feeling to head back to school everything just seemed to click.
We didn't have the initial intention of living the way we do now. We had looked for a few places to live in Lethbridge, each either falling through or we felt unsettled about. We even gave a landlord a damage deposit which we lost because our student loan came in much lower than we were expecting.
Colin's parents had mentioned on numerous occasions that we should live with them. I didn't want to, as we'd been our own family unit for 7 years, and was confident we could do this on our own. But each time we prayed and visited the temple, we had the continued feeling that living with his parents is what we should do. Colin's parents were going to be building a house in Cardston and it was agreed that Colin would work for his dad the following summer to help frame, sheath, doors, windows, roof, just about anything he could do! So much to my reluctance, we moved in.
It's been an interesting 2 years thus far, without going into detail. Colin and I have witnessed so many blessings, and I know his parents have too. It's been a wonderful learning experience for all of us. I have gotten to know my in laws better and in turn they have gotten to know me better. They have a chance to get to know their grand kids, as they were overseas for the boys births, and my kids know their grandparents.
I told Colin before we were even married that I never wanted to live in Cardston, but it's been a wonderful experience. I KNOW, each time I attend the temple or pray, that this is where we are supposed to be. We aren't sure why, but I know we've witnessed many wonderful things since doing this.
We will be eternally grateful to Colin's parents for the opportunity we've had to live with them. For the things they've helped us accomplish and for the things we've helped them accomplish. Colin and I joke that we feel like it's preparing us to live the Law of Consecration.
We've had a few individuals express their disappointment with our current living situation. It's been hard to feel judged by people who have no idea what our arrangement is. By either not choosing to listen or refusing to.
But I KNOW without a doubt, this is where my Heavenly Father wants us. Whether those people choose to believe this, is up to them!
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Glimpse into a normal morning...
Ugh... it's morning already? I swear I just closed my eyes 15 minutes ago... *sigh*
**Opens eyes**
(Pats self on back)
I survived another night. The 8 month old only woke up 3 times, the 2 year only screamed for 1/2 hour and the 5 year didn't try to sneak into my bed last night. Decent night!
Look down to find the 8 month old suckling away, hm, I can't remember when she latched?? Oh well, the flat boob should help me remember which side she needs to nurse on next. Let's see if I can slip away so I can help get the boys breakfast.
*Sniff, sniff... yesterday's pants still smell clean, and you can't really notice that stain from dinner can you?*
Great, boys are already at each other's throats. I bet they're fighting over which one gets the green bowl, ugh, *MENTAL NOTE* next time I visit IKEA I must get another set so they can each have their own, green set.
Gee, I wonder what the boys want for breakfast? Cheerios... or... Cheerios? Or MAYBE, because I slept in and the 5 year old needs to be to school in 25 minutes, he'll want pancakes? Isn't that the way it always goes?
"No, sweetheart, I don't have time for pancakes."
This will then lead into a 10 minute breakdown of how he doesn't like anything else and he'll never eat again unless it's pancakes.
Then it's the "get dressed for school" time.
"Can I wear shorts today?"
For the one thousandth time, THERE IS STILL SNOW!
"Brush your teeth!!" I call down the stairs as the 5 year old gets dressed.
"Mom, I brushed them last night!"
*Facepalm*
There's the girl!
I walk down the stairs to get her ready for the 2 minute drive to the preschool. As per usual, her innards have done their job and she's done her usual morning bm covering herself from neck to knee.
A quick throw in the tub, most often, does the trick!
Mmmm... nothing like the smell of a fresh bathed babe, little moment to help make the chaos worth it!
Crap, preschool in 10 minutes!
"Everyone, get your shoes on!"
"Mom, where's my backpack?" - "I don't know, where did you leave it?"
"Mama, ah wan to air my boots!" - "That's fine, hun" (Yes, at least I don't have to tie those!)
"Mumummummummmmummmuuumm" - "Yes baby girl, I'm comin'!"
"Put on your coat hun, it's cold today!" - "I don't WANT to wear a coat, it's not that cold!"
"Fine, at least TAKE your coat!" - "Ahhh, mom! I don't want to..." Stuffs coat in bag.
Someday he'll get his thermostat set right!
Getting all three in the van isn't too difficult. 5 year old knows how to do his buckles, 2 year old needs help, but he's pretty still... 8 month old despises her car seat. Arches back, kicks feet but I eventually get all 3 buckles done up right.
Start the... "MOM, can I have song number 8?"... Van... (Van starts)
"Just a second"
Put van in reverse and check my surroundings and rear view...
Let foot off gas and... "MOM, I want song number 8!"
"Let Mommy back up safely and then I'll change it."
Put van in... "Ok, song number 8 please Mom!" drive. I simultaneously hit the gas while changing the song. A skill I have learned to master in the last couple months!
The 2 minute drive (literally) is uneventful, just the way I like it. Unless you call a 5 year old belting "Black or White" by Michael Jackson, eventful. It is kind of cute though! **Log that memory away for future!**
Pull up to preschool, 5 year old is screaming at the top of his lungs, his friends name. Because his friend will, of course, hear him! Opens the door and bolts in to the building. I have just been able to put the vehicle in park and he's already in the classroom! Meanwhile, hearing the shrieks of my other two screaming that they want to come with me. I sign him in, give him a hug and kiss and send him on his way. I can't believe how big he's getting!! *Sigh... oh right, I have the other two in the car!*
Back home we go!
Listening to the last of Michael Jackson, I turn off the van and take a breath. Phew, another morning down. Woot!
Get the two kids out and stumble in the house to clean up breakfast.
"Mommy, I huuuuuuungry..." - "Of course you are hun, you had cheerios for breakfast!"
I swear, cheerios are the world's useless cereal, I might as well feed my children air!
"Ok, apple, banana or orange." - "No, mama, cheerios!"
**facepalm**
I argue a bit to see if I can get him to eat something a little more substantial than another bowl of 'air'. Annnnnnnd, we settle on another 'favourite' of ours, the Peanut Butter and Honey. Ugh... If there were an Olympic Event in Peanut Butter and Honey sandwich making, I would take the gold!
Well, it's 9 am. I guess I start on the never-ending story which is Laundry! Sort, stain treat, measure and start.
"Yes, yes you need a nap don't you!" - "Mumuumumumumumum" (Code for "boob, now, please.")
Give the 2 year old the iPad so I can at least get the girl down without interruptions.
I then grope myself to identify which side she needs, find it and throw the other one over my shoulder.
I lay next to my sweet baby girl. It feels good to know that I can solve all her problems (for now). Well, at least my breasts can!
Baby out! I lay an extra minute after I unlatch her to stare at her cute little face. Oh, how I wish she would stay that way forever. I wonder what she'll look like in a couple weeks... months... years. Yikes!
2 year old has turned on Netflix and is watching Kipper or Harold... or... I don't know, they all start to sound the same.
I go and give him a little cuddle and let him play with my hair for few minutes. Hhhmmm, guess I should really go get him dressed.
"Mama, ah wan my transfermer shert." - "Hun, it's dirty, you got yogurt all over it yesterday remember?"
Obviously he doesn't and starts into a mini tantrum about how it's his favourite shirt and some other gibberish I can't quite decipher. "Alright, alright, here it is!" I just hope that didn't wake up the girlie!
Thankfully, the 2 year old couldn't care less about what goes on his bottom, as long as he can dress himself.
It can be so frustrating watching him try and try to get those pants up over his bum (which get caught on his diaper), but he continues to assert his independence. Then the socks... oh socks, how I loathe thee.
"Look mama, I diiiiid it!" With the fly of his jeans over his left leg and socks on upside down... "Yes hun, you are! Good job!" As I carefully fix each item of clothing, I tear up thinking of how big my baby boy is getting, and how soon he won't need me to help him dress.
**Opens eyes**
(Pats self on back)
I survived another night. The 8 month old only woke up 3 times, the 2 year only screamed for 1/2 hour and the 5 year didn't try to sneak into my bed last night. Decent night!
Look down to find the 8 month old suckling away, hm, I can't remember when she latched?? Oh well, the flat boob should help me remember which side she needs to nurse on next. Let's see if I can slip away so I can help get the boys breakfast.
*Sniff, sniff... yesterday's pants still smell clean, and you can't really notice that stain from dinner can you?*
Great, boys are already at each other's throats. I bet they're fighting over which one gets the green bowl, ugh, *MENTAL NOTE* next time I visit IKEA I must get another set so they can each have their own, green set.
Gee, I wonder what the boys want for breakfast? Cheerios... or... Cheerios? Or MAYBE, because I slept in and the 5 year old needs to be to school in 25 minutes, he'll want pancakes? Isn't that the way it always goes?
"No, sweetheart, I don't have time for pancakes."
This will then lead into a 10 minute breakdown of how he doesn't like anything else and he'll never eat again unless it's pancakes.
Then it's the "get dressed for school" time.
"Can I wear shorts today?"
For the one thousandth time, THERE IS STILL SNOW!
"Brush your teeth!!" I call down the stairs as the 5 year old gets dressed.
"Mom, I brushed them last night!"
*Facepalm*
There's the girl!
I walk down the stairs to get her ready for the 2 minute drive to the preschool. As per usual, her innards have done their job and she's done her usual morning bm covering herself from neck to knee.
A quick throw in the tub, most often, does the trick!
Mmmm... nothing like the smell of a fresh bathed babe, little moment to help make the chaos worth it!
Crap, preschool in 10 minutes!
"Everyone, get your shoes on!"
"Mom, where's my backpack?" - "I don't know, where did you leave it?"
"Mama, ah wan to air my boots!" - "That's fine, hun" (Yes, at least I don't have to tie those!)
"Mumummummummmmummmuuumm" - "Yes baby girl, I'm comin'!"
"Put on your coat hun, it's cold today!" - "I don't WANT to wear a coat, it's not that cold!"
"Fine, at least TAKE your coat!" - "Ahhh, mom! I don't want to..." Stuffs coat in bag.
Someday he'll get his thermostat set right!
Getting all three in the van isn't too difficult. 5 year old knows how to do his buckles, 2 year old needs help, but he's pretty still... 8 month old despises her car seat. Arches back, kicks feet but I eventually get all 3 buckles done up right.
Start the... "MOM, can I have song number 8?"... Van... (Van starts)
"Just a second"
Put van in reverse and check my surroundings and rear view...
Let foot off gas and... "MOM, I want song number 8!"
"Let Mommy back up safely and then I'll change it."
Put van in... "Ok, song number 8 please Mom!" drive. I simultaneously hit the gas while changing the song. A skill I have learned to master in the last couple months!
The 2 minute drive (literally) is uneventful, just the way I like it. Unless you call a 5 year old belting "Black or White" by Michael Jackson, eventful. It is kind of cute though! **Log that memory away for future!**
Pull up to preschool, 5 year old is screaming at the top of his lungs, his friends name. Because his friend will, of course, hear him! Opens the door and bolts in to the building. I have just been able to put the vehicle in park and he's already in the classroom! Meanwhile, hearing the shrieks of my other two screaming that they want to come with me. I sign him in, give him a hug and kiss and send him on his way. I can't believe how big he's getting!! *Sigh... oh right, I have the other two in the car!*
Back home we go!
Listening to the last of Michael Jackson, I turn off the van and take a breath. Phew, another morning down. Woot!
Get the two kids out and stumble in the house to clean up breakfast.
"Mommy, I huuuuuuungry..." - "Of course you are hun, you had cheerios for breakfast!"
I swear, cheerios are the world's useless cereal, I might as well feed my children air!
"Ok, apple, banana or orange." - "No, mama, cheerios!"
**facepalm**
I argue a bit to see if I can get him to eat something a little more substantial than another bowl of 'air'. Annnnnnnd, we settle on another 'favourite' of ours, the Peanut Butter and Honey. Ugh... If there were an Olympic Event in Peanut Butter and Honey sandwich making, I would take the gold!
Well, it's 9 am. I guess I start on the never-ending story which is Laundry! Sort, stain treat, measure and start.
"Yes, yes you need a nap don't you!" - "Mumuumumumumumum" (Code for "boob, now, please.")
Give the 2 year old the iPad so I can at least get the girl down without interruptions.
I then grope myself to identify which side she needs, find it and throw the other one over my shoulder.
I lay next to my sweet baby girl. It feels good to know that I can solve all her problems (for now). Well, at least my breasts can!
Baby out! I lay an extra minute after I unlatch her to stare at her cute little face. Oh, how I wish she would stay that way forever. I wonder what she'll look like in a couple weeks... months... years. Yikes!
2 year old has turned on Netflix and is watching Kipper or Harold... or... I don't know, they all start to sound the same.
I go and give him a little cuddle and let him play with my hair for few minutes. Hhhmmm, guess I should really go get him dressed.
"Mama, ah wan my transfermer shert." - "Hun, it's dirty, you got yogurt all over it yesterday remember?"
Obviously he doesn't and starts into a mini tantrum about how it's his favourite shirt and some other gibberish I can't quite decipher. "Alright, alright, here it is!" I just hope that didn't wake up the girlie!
Thankfully, the 2 year old couldn't care less about what goes on his bottom, as long as he can dress himself.
It can be so frustrating watching him try and try to get those pants up over his bum (which get caught on his diaper), but he continues to assert his independence. Then the socks... oh socks, how I loathe thee.
"Look mama, I diiiiid it!" With the fly of his jeans over his left leg and socks on upside down... "Yes hun, you are! Good job!" As I carefully fix each item of clothing, I tear up thinking of how big my baby boy is getting, and how soon he won't need me to help him dress.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Three months in parenting 202...
Wow, haven't been on here in a while!
Colin and I have both trashed our computers to the point that fixing both would basically be the cost of one new laptop... so needless to say we haven't been on them too much...
So... three months into being the mother of 2. Let's just say it hasn't been as hard as I thought it was going to be. Not saying it's a piece of cake, but definitely easier than I thought.
BUT... I've had my moments..
Here's a few...
1. First Sunday at church with a new baby... We has loosened the straps on Flynn's carseat while sleeping and forgot to tighten them before putting him in the car and driving home.
Yah yah... just wait... it get's better!
2. The following Sunday after making sure Flynn was in his car seat securely we got in to drive home. Only to realise Brant had been screaming something that we eventually realised was "buckle me in" so we had to stop the car a few blocks from the church and buckle him in. phew..
3. I hadn't been buckling Flynn in his swing because it had a tray and it was just a hassle as I usually only put him in it when he was sleeping. I had put Brant to bed and Flynn was taking his last nap before bed. I placed him in the swing while I was on the phone with my Grandma. I was doing the dishes or something and I heard him starting to cry. I figured he would survive for a few minutes while I finished up only to come in and find him on the floor, a good three feet away from the swing. Still to this day I have yet to figure out how how he did that!
4. Basically the same incident as the swing but in his bouncy chair...
5. While driving home from a store I was deep in thought about something, Brant reaches forward, taps me on the shoulder and asks me to help him with a sticker. I place the sticker back on his hand at the stop light and wait for the light to change. Then... I realise something... Brant shouldn't be able to tap my shoulder while strapped in his car seat. So while trying to talk my son into at least buckling the chest strap the light turns green. So we basically drove from one end of the city to the other with only his chest strap done up.
That's got to be the top five most mommy-brained moments I've had so far... but also, we've experienced first smiles, first giggles, lots of brother hugs and melting hearts!
We sure love our two boys and while being parents to two kids is a bit more work it's just that much more rewarding!
Colin and I have both trashed our computers to the point that fixing both would basically be the cost of one new laptop... so needless to say we haven't been on them too much...
So... three months into being the mother of 2. Let's just say it hasn't been as hard as I thought it was going to be. Not saying it's a piece of cake, but definitely easier than I thought.
BUT... I've had my moments..
Here's a few...
1. First Sunday at church with a new baby... We has loosened the straps on Flynn's carseat while sleeping and forgot to tighten them before putting him in the car and driving home.
Yah yah... just wait... it get's better!
2. The following Sunday after making sure Flynn was in his car seat securely we got in to drive home. Only to realise Brant had been screaming something that we eventually realised was "buckle me in" so we had to stop the car a few blocks from the church and buckle him in. phew..
3. I hadn't been buckling Flynn in his swing because it had a tray and it was just a hassle as I usually only put him in it when he was sleeping. I had put Brant to bed and Flynn was taking his last nap before bed. I placed him in the swing while I was on the phone with my Grandma. I was doing the dishes or something and I heard him starting to cry. I figured he would survive for a few minutes while I finished up only to come in and find him on the floor, a good three feet away from the swing. Still to this day I have yet to figure out how how he did that!
4. Basically the same incident as the swing but in his bouncy chair...
5. While driving home from a store I was deep in thought about something, Brant reaches forward, taps me on the shoulder and asks me to help him with a sticker. I place the sticker back on his hand at the stop light and wait for the light to change. Then... I realise something... Brant shouldn't be able to tap my shoulder while strapped in his car seat. So while trying to talk my son into at least buckling the chest strap the light turns green. So we basically drove from one end of the city to the other with only his chest strap done up.
That's got to be the top five most mommy-brained moments I've had so far... but also, we've experienced first smiles, first giggles, lots of brother hugs and melting hearts!
We sure love our two boys and while being parents to two kids is a bit more work it's just that much more rewarding!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
OB/GYN's... best interests of patients or wallets?
So I had my appointment with an OB/GYN this week, and it was... well, to say the least, interesting.
Ever since getting pregnant with Brant, I had always wanted a natural, normal vaginal delivery. The ones you see in movies and tv shows... maybe without all the hitting and screaming at the husband/father part. My hopes dimmed as I was being told Brant was going to be big and how I needed to be induced at 9 days over. Against my better judgement (aka the Spirit telling me to NOT being induced) I was induced and it was a delivery out of anyone's worst nightmare and it ended in an emergency section. And to top it off it was performed by my least favorite OB/GYN by FAR!! After that experience I vowed I would attempt a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesaerean) with my next child.
When I got pregnant with this baby, I contacted the local midwives right away. And while I won't go into detail about that big mess, needless to say I ended up needing to find a doctor/doctors who were willing and supportive of my hopes for a VBAC.
All of the doctors at the clinic I go to have been very supportive and encouraging about a VBAC, but told me I would need to see an OB/GYN to be cleared for a 'trial VBAC', basically meaning "we've checked over the patients history and body and find no reason to let her 'try'". I say 'try' because that's how they make you feel. Sure, go ahead and try but chances are you'll need a repeat section. (Well... I'm here to prove you wrong buddy!)
At the OB/GYN's office I was appalled to find that the previous OB (the one who performed my section, and who I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw him) had basically gotten all the facts of my L&D wrong in his surgical report. Which give the current OB/GYN the wrong impression of how my first labour went and he judges my chance on that. But of course, who is he going to believe... The woman who was there the entire time or the dweeb who came in a ripped out my kid??
Needless to say, I was given a 65% chance of a successful VBAC, and while that's still a decent chance, he never gave me a chance to explain the situation we had with Brant and any explanation I gave he 'poo poo'd right off the bat. "It's very unlikely his neck got deflected" (Unlikely, but still could happen right?) Thanks to the previous OB, he failed to mention how baby was positioned when he took him out so we may never know why he failed to descend, although I'm 90% sure his neck WAS deflected!
Anyway, the OB didn't seem too encouraging on the VBAC front and mentioned having a repeat section more than enough! It's just hard to stay positive when they really DON'T have the patient and baby's best interest in mind. Sections are a great tool when absolutely needed, but women have been having babies for centuries and our bodies are made for it! And these two OB's are a great example of why the section rate has soared over the last few years. Sections are easier to plan, schedule in, you know how long (typically) it should take to have a baby and because mom needs more drugs, anaesthetic and hospital time, the doctor and hospital are GUARANTEED MORE money! Not that I don't mind supporting my doctor, but sections are NOT always the best choice and it's NOT natural!
Maybe it's a flaw in the education of our doctors, being taught medicine is best, but you think because they put so much energy and years into their education you are getting someone who knows what's best, when really what's best is to (for the most part!!!) let nature takes it's course.
While I'm extremely happy with most of the doctors at my clinic and feel confident that with their help (Not the help of a 'scalpel happy' OB) I will have the best shot at a successful VBAC, I wish that those who put in the extra time, money and years to 'specialize' in their field would be more educated in what's BEST for the patient and not their wallets.
*NOTE: this isn't really a rant, and I'm not aiming this at all doctors. It's just the discovering of an area I had put so much trust in (doctors and the medical profession) has a second agenda and how they don't always have the BEST interest of the patient in mind.
Ever since getting pregnant with Brant, I had always wanted a natural, normal vaginal delivery. The ones you see in movies and tv shows... maybe without all the hitting and screaming at the husband/father part. My hopes dimmed as I was being told Brant was going to be big and how I needed to be induced at 9 days over. Against my better judgement (aka the Spirit telling me to NOT being induced) I was induced and it was a delivery out of anyone's worst nightmare and it ended in an emergency section. And to top it off it was performed by my least favorite OB/GYN by FAR!! After that experience I vowed I would attempt a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesaerean) with my next child.
When I got pregnant with this baby, I contacted the local midwives right away. And while I won't go into detail about that big mess, needless to say I ended up needing to find a doctor/doctors who were willing and supportive of my hopes for a VBAC.
All of the doctors at the clinic I go to have been very supportive and encouraging about a VBAC, but told me I would need to see an OB/GYN to be cleared for a 'trial VBAC', basically meaning "we've checked over the patients history and body and find no reason to let her 'try'". I say 'try' because that's how they make you feel. Sure, go ahead and try but chances are you'll need a repeat section. (Well... I'm here to prove you wrong buddy!)
At the OB/GYN's office I was appalled to find that the previous OB (the one who performed my section, and who I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw him) had basically gotten all the facts of my L&D wrong in his surgical report. Which give the current OB/GYN the wrong impression of how my first labour went and he judges my chance on that. But of course, who is he going to believe... The woman who was there the entire time or the dweeb who came in a ripped out my kid??
Needless to say, I was given a 65% chance of a successful VBAC, and while that's still a decent chance, he never gave me a chance to explain the situation we had with Brant and any explanation I gave he 'poo poo'd right off the bat. "It's very unlikely his neck got deflected" (Unlikely, but still could happen right?) Thanks to the previous OB, he failed to mention how baby was positioned when he took him out so we may never know why he failed to descend, although I'm 90% sure his neck WAS deflected!
Anyway, the OB didn't seem too encouraging on the VBAC front and mentioned having a repeat section more than enough! It's just hard to stay positive when they really DON'T have the patient and baby's best interest in mind. Sections are a great tool when absolutely needed, but women have been having babies for centuries and our bodies are made for it! And these two OB's are a great example of why the section rate has soared over the last few years. Sections are easier to plan, schedule in, you know how long (typically) it should take to have a baby and because mom needs more drugs, anaesthetic and hospital time, the doctor and hospital are GUARANTEED MORE money! Not that I don't mind supporting my doctor, but sections are NOT always the best choice and it's NOT natural!
Maybe it's a flaw in the education of our doctors, being taught medicine is best, but you think because they put so much energy and years into their education you are getting someone who knows what's best, when really what's best is to (for the most part!!!) let nature takes it's course.
While I'm extremely happy with most of the doctors at my clinic and feel confident that with their help (Not the help of a 'scalpel happy' OB) I will have the best shot at a successful VBAC, I wish that those who put in the extra time, money and years to 'specialize' in their field would be more educated in what's BEST for the patient and not their wallets.
*NOTE: this isn't really a rant, and I'm not aiming this at all doctors. It's just the discovering of an area I had put so much trust in (doctors and the medical profession) has a second agenda and how they don't always have the BEST interest of the patient in mind.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Little Update...
It's been a while.
I'm sorry I don't have any pictures this time, we've lost the power cord to our camera and until we find it, there won't be any pictures! Boo... we better find it soon cause we would like some pictures of this new baby!!
This last month has been pretty boring pregnancy wise. LA#2 has just been growing and sitting extremely low. Which is new for me! Brant LIVED in my rib cage! This child likes my pelvis.
I keep commenting on how my belly looks so much different this time. I didn't know why, but then it clicked. This boy read the "Emergency escape" pamphlet! He's head down (very down) and butt out! Brant had his bum under my ribs! (posterior) So with this kid in the proper position I'm getting more excited about delivery. Basically because my hopes for a natural vaginal delivery are going up!!
I'm still measuring large, and my hands and feet are starting to swell. Again, never experienced that with Brant. I'm also looking into natural and homeopathic remedies to help with labor and I've started a few this week! (I'm 36 weeks) Hoping they do what they claim to do!!
We went camping this past month!! We went May 28 to June 3. It was a lot of fun! My friend Courtney has a trailer and so our two families packed up and went to Bow Valley Provincial Park. The husbands stayed on the weekends but it was just just girls (and kiddos) during the week. The kids had a blast! Brant LOVES camping, and mom fell in love with the idea of trailers!! ;)
I also signed myself up for a serging class. A friend of mine was given a serger and my mom gave me hers but neither of us had any idea on how to use them. So we took the class together! It was a lot of fun, although we felt like the young 'troublemakers' as everyone else in that class was basically a grandma! I've already made a couple pillowcases for Brant, and it took less time to serge them than to cut them out!! It was sooooo easy!
Tomorrow I have my appointment with the OB/GYN. Yay for another 'lovely' internal exam! They are just going to be checking me over to make sure I can provide enough room for baby to make his grand exit and answer any VBAC questions I have. Speaking of which I should probably go and write some down so I don't forget! (Mental note for later....)
I'm getting really anxious about impending labor, but becoming more confident each day. That or just sick of being huge and VERY uncomfortable!!
Happy Summer Everyone!
I'm sorry I don't have any pictures this time, we've lost the power cord to our camera and until we find it, there won't be any pictures! Boo... we better find it soon cause we would like some pictures of this new baby!!
This last month has been pretty boring pregnancy wise. LA#2 has just been growing and sitting extremely low. Which is new for me! Brant LIVED in my rib cage! This child likes my pelvis.
I keep commenting on how my belly looks so much different this time. I didn't know why, but then it clicked. This boy read the "Emergency escape" pamphlet! He's head down (very down) and butt out! Brant had his bum under my ribs! (posterior) So with this kid in the proper position I'm getting more excited about delivery. Basically because my hopes for a natural vaginal delivery are going up!!
I'm still measuring large, and my hands and feet are starting to swell. Again, never experienced that with Brant. I'm also looking into natural and homeopathic remedies to help with labor and I've started a few this week! (I'm 36 weeks) Hoping they do what they claim to do!!
We went camping this past month!! We went May 28 to June 3. It was a lot of fun! My friend Courtney has a trailer and so our two families packed up and went to Bow Valley Provincial Park. The husbands stayed on the weekends but it was just just girls (and kiddos) during the week. The kids had a blast! Brant LOVES camping, and mom fell in love with the idea of trailers!! ;)
I also signed myself up for a serging class. A friend of mine was given a serger and my mom gave me hers but neither of us had any idea on how to use them. So we took the class together! It was a lot of fun, although we felt like the young 'troublemakers' as everyone else in that class was basically a grandma! I've already made a couple pillowcases for Brant, and it took less time to serge them than to cut them out!! It was sooooo easy!
Tomorrow I have my appointment with the OB/GYN. Yay for another 'lovely' internal exam! They are just going to be checking me over to make sure I can provide enough room for baby to make his grand exit and answer any VBAC questions I have. Speaking of which I should probably go and write some down so I don't forget! (Mental note for later....)
I'm getting really anxious about impending labor, but becoming more confident each day. That or just sick of being huge and VERY uncomfortable!!
Happy Summer Everyone!
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