Almost-Three Toddler's Struggle with Baby

 My son struggled to share time with Virtie Rose. What am I talking about? He still struggles. Every day. I am just grateful that it isn't as bad as it was in the beginning.
What did I do to with Micah before Virtie came? EVERYTHING. When I say that Micah is a little ahead with communication, I am not lying. He was ready to be potty trained well before his second birthday. He and I can have "grown up" conversations together. So before Virtie Rose came, I would talk to him constantly about what to expect. I would talk to him about why my belly was so big. I would explain to him over and over that I had to go to the hospital to get the baby. He understood when I said the baby would always need me because it wouldn't be able to walk or talk. I talked about changing the baby's diaper. I talked about everything. He understood what I was saying, but DIDN'T understand what that meant for him and how his life would change.
I planned to have him receive a bike and helmet when Virtie Rose came home. We said that it was a gift from her (I read that this is what you were supposed to do). He was so curious about his sister. He didn't really understand that she was a permanent part of our life just yet. Micah started acting out almost immediately. Just doing anything he could do get a response. He had A LOT of attention still from everyone because Virtie Rose was an amazing baby, and my parents were in town. It didn't matter though. The baby was still in the back of his mind whether she was sleeping or not. He threw things, he was angry, and he was very very sad. It was so hard for me to witness. It broke my heart, as I knew that the wonderful relationship I formed with him was changing into something different. I didn't know what to do to fix it. I tried to include him, I tried to be stern, I tried to be extra loving and accepting...but it all improved in God's time.
At the time he was still going to his camp once a week for four hours. He was even acting withdrawn there. I was really depressed for the first week or two after Virtie was born, but then it got better. He has never been a mean brother. He has always been a very loving brother. He was just mad at me, therefore he acted out because of me and towards me. Three months later, he still acts out. He wants me to go with him to potty every time I am holding her. We battle because I tell him I am not going to pull down his pants for him anymore. There were a few times that he peed and/or pooped in his pants and I was very worried that it was going to be consistent, but it wasn't because he doesn't like the feeling of being wet or having poop in his pants (Thank God)!
Now I like explaining it like a roller coaster. Some days we have ups, while some days we have drastic butterflies-in-your-stomach, downs. I am very thankful that he is still himself, and that his personality didn't change. I know that he will be better for it.
Micah is a great big brother! He kisses her, wants to hold her, and wants to SHHHHHH her to sleep (One of the 5 S's). Of course, I am so love with my two kids and so grateful to have them, despite the struggles!

It's a GIRL! My birth story...

As you can see, I was horrible with documenting this pregnancy. I didn't feel too well, and was tired for the most part. For weeks before we had the baby, I could have sworn I would go into labor early. In fact, we even missed my brother and sister-in-law's vow renewal 10 days before my due date because I didn't want to go out of town. That day, I thought I was going into labor because I was having consistent contractions.
I visited triage two times before I went into actual labor.
It was stressful not knowing the baby's gender too, because I couldn't set up the nursery with specific colors, and I didn't have clothes if we were having a girl. All of that ended up worth it when it was all said and done though.
Two days after my due date, Dr. Drescher, Conrad and I set an appointment to be induced for the very next morning at 6am. I was very impatient at this point and ready to be comfortable again. I was feeling extra tired and nauseated for a couple of days before this. I was having Braxton Hicks for weeks prior to this, and some were strong, while others still felt weak. However, the morning before my induction they were starting to get painful. At 3am I sent a text to both my mom and Conrad, who were both in the other rooms of our house (Micah was sick, so Conrad was laying with him in his room). I said that something was probably going on, finally.  The contractions were only four minutes apart, but getting stronger and more painful.
We got to triage at 3:45 or so, but I wasn't in actual labor. I was only 3cm, and about 70% effaced. They said they would admit me though since I was going to get induced anyway. The nurse put me on penicillin right away for Group B Strep. The contractions kept coming though and they were getting unbearable, but we were stuck in triage because it was a already a busy morning. The nurse didn't think I would progress quickly, so we told her about my first labor and delivery and how I didn't even have time for an epidural. She decided to check me again and I was a 4-5, and she was surprised.

We (My mom, Conrad, & I) were finally admitted to a regular room around this time. It was around seven, and the staff was going home and we were told we would be getting a new nurse. Our first nurse broke the bad news that I wouldn't probably have time for an epidural because there were two scheduled C-Sections at 7:30 and 9:30 a.m., and by that time it was already seven. So we all gave up hope that I would get pain relief, when 10 minutes later in walks a nurse anesthetist. Her shift was over, but the person who was relieving her was late so she said she had time if I wanted one. We had already resigned ourselves to the fact that I would have to be in pain for at least a few more hours, but when she gave me the option I realized I would like to have an epidural. The pain was getting worse, and my contractions were three minutes long with little to no time between them. If I tried to hold off on the decision, I definitely wouldn't have made it. I had them check to see how far I was before making a final decision, and I was 7 cm dilated. I went for it!
The nurse asked Conrad and my mom to leave the room while she administered the epidural. I guess some people pass out or make remarks about the needle that don't help the person who is getting it. The experience was pretty darn uncomfortable, but VERY worth it. After that I slowly stopped feeling any pain at all. Not only that, I felt pretty loopy...and I liked it! I was as happy as can be, but anxious about feeling the crowning. They said I would feel pressure when I was ready to push, and once I felt it, I needed to let them know. Well, I didn't feel anything! When my doctor arrived to check on me she asked if I wanted her to break my water (it was "bulging")...I said, "Yes." I didn't feel anything at all when she did that. Then she asked if I was ready to push...and I said, "Well, yes, but I don't feel anything!" She said I was ready, maybe not completely effaced, but ready. So I pushed, and she saw the baby's head and said, "Okay, stop. You are ready to have a baby! Get the nurses!"
Everyone came in rather quickly, and there I was patiently waiting, knowing any second I would meet our precious little one.
Then in walked my Dad. He should have arrived an hour prior, but decided to stop at Denny's to get himself some breakfast before watching the baby be born...and not a minute too soon!
Our doctor told me to push and guided me through the rest of it. It only took three pushes to get HER out. During the pushing stages, the doctor talked to Conrad about what exactly was happening as if the whole thing was in slow motion, which he found interesting.
Finally, I can say we have a healthy baby GIRL on our hands! Conrad was supposed to announce, but didn't want to get it wrong...we all saw that she was a girl right away so there was no announcement necessary. We were very emotional, and couldn't believe our luck!
Micah couldn't meet her until we got home the very next day. He was sick with croup, so we wanted him to wear a face mask when he met her...that lasted about two seconds! We were so very excited for them to meet, and a little nervous as well. My next posts will be about the months following her birth! :)

Pregnant with #2 Weeks 13 & 21!

Pacifier weaning went well! It was so much easier than I expected.
We have a two year old who is potty trained and off the paci...the next obstacle will be putting him into a toddler bed! AHHH!

AND...we are 13 weeks pregnant with baby #2. We are so excited, and we prayed and prayed for this little nugget! We tried for 9-10 months to conceive, and we were at the point where we were thinking of trying Clomid. The month before we were going to give Clomid a shot, we got pregnant! We used the digital ovulation tests, and that seemed to help...and most importantly, it was God's perfect timing.

Things have been a little different this go around. I wasn't in as good of shape as I was in with Micah.  (I was halfway through marathon training when we found out I was pregnant with him). Also, it is a little different because I am "showing" much quicker than I was the first time. Another difference is that I had morning sickness for several weeks, but it has worn off at this point (thankfully). I never threw up, but I felt nauseated every evening. I know it could have been much worse.

I've been trying to keep 3 miles in my system, and just ran Academy yesterday with Stephanie. I am SO MUCH slower, but it is something. My second appointment was last week, and I had already gained five pounds, so I am trying to get 30 minutes in a day (at least), from now on. I have been taking "eating for two" a little too seriously. My goal is to cut sugar out Monday-Thursday. We will see how that goes. Other exercise that I have been doing is jogging/walking with Micah in the stroller, stair stepper & elliptical, and I am trying to do body pump twice a week! Walking is also an easy way to get my 30 minutes in!

Last week I decided that I would run another marathon, around a year after baby #2 is born! I think this is a great goal for me to get back into the swing of things, if only I can keep my back in running shape. I definitely think I will have to do physical therapy after delivering. Six months after Micah came, I started really having issues with my back...

Anyway...I will try to keep in touch more so that I can document this pregnancy! Gosh, another difference is that I haven't been good about taking weekly pictures like I was with Micah. I guess they are right when they say things are different with baby #2!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now I am 21 weeks pregnant, and I have yet to publish this blog post. I wrote so much when I was pregnant with Micah, and the difference is having a toddler running around has left me with less time to think about and focus on my pregnancy. I am so so very excited for baby #2, and I can't wait to meet him/her!

At my checkup this week my doctor told me that all was well, and everything looked "perfect!" I have gained 9 pounds total, which I was excited about because I thought I gained more.

I've still been running with the stroller, but honestly it has turned into mostly walking. I try to get out 45+ minutes, 5-6 times a week. I would like to start swimming in a month or so, and I would like to lift weights more than I have been.

We went to our 20 week anatomy screening, and didn't find out the gender! It was such a tough decision. Conrad & I agreed not to find out before we got pregnant. During the first trimester I was certain that I didn't want to find out...but as the second trimester neared, I wanted more and more to know if I was carrying a little boy or a little girl! Conrad, of course, was rock solid and determined not to find out...so I let him have his way! I know it will be so exciting the day he/she decides to grace us with his/her presence!

I talk to Micah about the baby all of the time. I explain to him how I will get bigger because the baby is getting bigger. I tell him that once the baby is too big, it will come out and live with us in our house. I tell him that he was in my belly once, and that he got too big so he had to come out. I explain that our spare room is now the "baby room" and I talk to him about the room. Today, he referred to the room as the "baby's room." It was the sweetest thing. Sometimes all on his own, he kisses my stomach. I ask him if he will help me, and I tell him that I will need lots of help with the baby. He says that he will help. I call our baby "Micah's baby, Momma's baby, and Dada's Baby." He adds on that it is Maga's Baby (my mom), Papa Coocoo's baby (my dad), Sherry's baby (Conrad's mom), and Papa Huie's baby (Conrad's dad.) I tell him, "Yes, Micah! Yes, it is everyone's baby!" I hope that by talking to him about it so often, it will help him to realize that he won't be the only baby anymore. Also, I am trying to get him to play on his own much more than he was. We just got a sandbox, and that has really helped. He sneaks out through the doggie door, and plays on his own without telling me sometimes. I hear the doggie door though, so I know what he is up to!

I just wanted to write about what I am doing to prepare Micah in case I forget. I don't know how most 2 1/2 year olds are, but he is so intuitive. He communicates so well, and I know that he understands so much of what I am saying, because days later he surprises me by telling me something that I've said days ago. This is one of the reasons I think he was potty trained two months short of two years old. Our next battle that we aren't ready to fight yet, is transitioning him to the toddler bed. I guess that should come before the baby comes.

I feel like it is so weird that I keep saying the baby. Sometimes I wish I knew if it was a he/she so I could say he OR she...or use the baby's name! Anyway, things are going well here. After the first trimester I felt so much better! I never threw up, but I felt nauseated A LOT.
Hopefully I will be back a few more times to check in. We love you baby #2!

Our little baby wouldn't stop covering his/her face! So precious.

Pacifier Weaning at 2

 

It is hard to believe that I have a two year old, but I do. A potty trained (read this post here) two year old who is just now going through a traumatic ordeal---the breaking of the pacifier! Can I say that he is not having as bad of a time with it as I first imagined...shall I even say those words? Even if it is only day two!?
Our goal was to wean before his second birthday, but I did not want to do it. Conrad was ready, of course...but I really really enjoy my sleep! So this is how I approached it.

A few months ago I decided to buy him a rotating star night light projector for his room. You can find it here. My thoughts were to take away his pacifiers, and introduce this new cool and exciting thing. I thought that it would distract him from the fact that he didn't have his pacifiers anymore, and he could watch it as he drifts off to sleep. Conrad and I argued about the setting I should leave it on until we decided to put it on the rotating stars and moon, with the darkest light possible. Before bed we had him throw away his three pacifiers. We told him that he was a big boy now, and big boys didn't sleep with pacifiers. He went to the trash and threw them away immediately. Afterwards, I talked to Conrad about another idea that I saw...tying the pacifiers to balloons and letting them go! Micah has one balloon and he didn't let go of it the rest of the evening. Conrad kept joking that he had heard what I said and didn't want that balloon out of his sight! 
When bedtime came I was so nervous! I was prepared for the worst ever! But we went through his normal routine, and instead of giving him his pacifier, we gave him his little owl and let him turn on his AWESOME new light all by himself! I rocked him as we prayed, and then I put him in his crib. He called for us twice, and we went to comfort him, but after that he slept...and he slept all night! 
Today, his nap time was even better. He went to sleep pretty quickly, and has been sleeping over a couple of hours now! He put his star projector on for his nap, as well. I hope that this continues, because never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it to be this easy. I've read the horror stories!

The potential problem with the Star Projector approach: We have to take it with us wherever we go, just like we do his noise machine. This isn't really a problem for me, though. 

Micah is in an ActiveME Camp. He just started last week, and he goes two days a week for three hours. I will only keep him in it for a month, unless I can figure out a way for them to let me take him one day a week because it is expensive. He had a hard time adjusting the first day, and he cried when I left! However, when I arrived to pick him up they praised him, and said that he did great the moment I left! I am excited to see how he does next week. 
I have a test on Thursday, so I wanted time to study and take the test, and this helps me out a lot for this! 

The main reason he is going to this ActiveME camp is because he has been going through an aggressive phase for several months now, and I thought if he was around other kids consistently it would help him to get over this. He has been doing a little better, but we will see after the month if there is any improvement. This phase (I call it the hitting phase) has been the hardest for me to get through, for sure. I even stopped hanging out with some of my friends because I was embarrassed! Our doctor told us the best thing to do is to put him in timeout for two minutes every single time he does it, no matter where we are. 
I realize at the age of two it isn't detrimental that he is socialized, but I know that it helps me with my sanity if I am socialized :)

Anyway, he is the BIGGEST blessing of our life. He brings so much joy to our lives, even if he is a little aggressive ;) ! We have been having so much fun with him, and he is talking up a storm! He is starting to get good at singing along to songs. He knows a few shapes, a couple of colors, and can tell you names of people, even if he hasn't seen them in a while! He traveled with me to Omaha to visit family, and he did wonderfully, and really is a good boy!I realize he picks up on everything we say and do (hence him not letting go of the balloon yesterday). 

         

Let me know if you have any questions! 

Oh, and I started running again. It has taken me a while to get back into it because of my back, but I figure that it isn't getting any better when I don't run. I will go to the doctor this month to see if there is anything that can be done for it. I missed training for a race, so I am going to sign up for the Sweetheart 10k. It should be a good one. This is me getting back into it... #momlife

Life with a 22 month old-Potty training

Where on earth does the time go? The last time I was here, Micah was 15 months old.  This year I got involved with my own little graphic design "business", and I am now an Usborne Books and More Consultant. I am also studying for two tests so I can get certified in Elementary Education (I'm already certified in Secondary). On top of all that, I am trying to be the best mom I can be. 
I am trying to get closer to Jesus, so that my son can see my relationship with Him, and have one as well. I think that is my biggest responsibility in this crazy world we live in. 

 Last weekend we started potty training! I haven't read any books on it, but based off my son's great communication skills, I felt like he was ready to start. I don't know if that is the standard practice, but Micah is an effective communicator at the old age of 22 months! :) So I picked and chose some of what my friends did, and then I tested...believe me, it is all a test! 

Potty training at its finest! He actually stacked all of these blocks by himself :D

***Side Note: I had bought the potty a couple months prior, so he understood that it was where he should go when he needed to. So that was already familiar. ***

So we started on a Saturday morning, allowing him to walk around completely nude. We chose a Saturday because that was when Conrad was home so that he could help me. That day he had one "accident". What I call an accident, is when he starts to go pee and catches himself...stops and runs to the potty! He did this the first and second day...just once! 
The third day I put underwear on him, and he went in his underwear. I wanted to go for a walk, and I didn't want him to be completely nude...and he went in his stroller! He didn't even tell me or anything! So I felt like I had taken a step back, and decided the next day (Tuesday) we would stay home nude again ALL DAY! Those days get so long. We are used to getting out of the house once or twice a day. It is definitely worth it though.
The next day (Wednesday) I had to attend Mass with my Religious Ed students. Conrad met me at the church, and I thought I had to put Micah in his briefs. I tried to take him to the bathroom right when we got there, but he wouldn't go. Conrad picked him up, then took him to the park. He asked him if he needed to go and he said "no." On the way home he went in the carseat! So there was the second accident that he had with his briefs on! Thursday we stayed home again! And he ended up peeing on the floor! Then he finished on his potty...saying ugh oh! 
Friday we went on a walk (naked) and he was fine. I realized that he probably wasn't comfortable going on his Potette. I wanted to get him comfortable with it so I decided to try to use it more often. I decided to bring it on the walk, stopping every 10 minutes to see if he had to go. Finally, the fifth time he went in his potty! That was a big accomplishment, in my opinion. That night, we went to Dion's for dinner and he didn't go potty. Then we went to the park and had him sit down to go. Finally, he went! On Saturday, we went for a hike in the morning and NO accidents! He went on his potty at the end of the hike! He didn't have an accident Sunday (at mass) or (at breakfast), but we stopped at the house in between for a potty break! We stayed 
home for the remainder of that day.  So Saturday and Sunday were accident free days! 

Monday we finally got to go on a proper outing! We went to the zoo with our friends, Jessica & Zachary. Micah didn't have an accident, but I have been noticing that he holds it and prefers not to go if he is being active. He finally went on the potty after I tried sitting him down a few times! 
When we got after the zoo he took a nap. When he wakes up, I went into his room, and took off his diaper. He isn't always too happy about that, but it gets him thinking of the potty immediately. He was happy to pee on the potty, after his nap. An hour or so later he exclaimed, "Poopy, Mama!" I took him to his potty and he went poop immediately. 
When it comes to poop, sometimes he sits on the toilet and gets discouraged and gets back up, then he gets back on it again...and he does this a few times. Sometimes he wants me to hold or hug him while he goes because he gets kind of nervous, but this last time he went right away while holding my hand :) Boy, will he be thrilled I documented his life in such detail. ;) 
Today is Tuesday, and so we were accident free again on Monday- three days in a row! While I am aware that he will still have accidents, I am happy with how things have been progressing. I think I timed it just right! So far today we have been accident free while running errands and whatnot. 

***Another side note: We don't put underwear on him, only his pants! This has helped him not to have accidents. So after a few weeks I will start putting briefs on him :)***

Anyway, potty training is a success as of right now! The last week I haven't had to put a pull-up on him while in the car or in the stroller, and I don't plan on doing so...yet! 

The last race I ran was a half marathon in Madison, WI, while visiting my brother & sister-in-law. It was hard, but beautiful and a lot of fun! 
Running lately isn't what it used to be. My back goes out every once in a while, and I have to quit running, which is discouraging. I am trying to do other things, which isn't as fun...but I will protect my back while we try to have baby number 2! We are still trying to conceive. It has been about five months now. So we are praying it will happen before Micah is three! But you know, this is all in God's time, and I have to let Him do his thing. 

Talk to you all later ;)

***Potty training was successful. After a few days we left the house and put underwear on him. This was our first mistake. He didn't know what underwear were so it confused him. He peed in his pants right away. So, I stopped putting underwear on him for a couple of weeks and that did the trick. Eventually I had to explain to him that underwear aren't meant to be peed in. It was very helpful to have his little potty when we were out and about! The leaving him naked method really works. I would say he was "completely" potty trained in about a week. He still had accidents, but he still does even now. He hasn't used training pants, pull-ups, or anything else during the day. I still put him in diapers at night though!

Micah is 15 Months & I ran a marathon!

Micah is a little over 15 months, and has it been fun! He is running around and getting into everything. How does the time go by so quickly, can you answer me that?

In December, I RAN A MARATHON! It was such a huge accomplishment for me, and I am so very glad I did it. Getting there was an emotional journey, one that I can say I did, but won't be doing again anytime soon. I don't know if I will ever do it again, unless I have someone to train with me. It was so trying to get through training alone. It was also incredibly difficult running the race. My goal was to finish in under four hours, and I did so! However, I had to go to the restroom at the start of the race, and couldn't because the lines to the restrooms were too long. I had to stop at mile three and run into a Porta Potty, leaving behind my pacing crew. I did catch up with them pretty quickly though, meaning I was running faster than I should have been. I started hurting at mile 20, and the last couple of miles were torture. I had to walk (a little) towards the end, but didn't allow myself to walk too much fearing I would see Conrad and he would make fun of me :). When I crossed the finish line I was determined not to look up at the cameras because I was hurting too much and too mad at my body and mind for falling apart at the end! But you know what!? I can say that I ran a marathon. I didn't give up, and I did it! I think my pace was a little over 9 min/mi, and I wanted to be a little under that, but WHO CARES!? I wouldn't have gotten a prize or anything. The prize was in the finish. And I did it.

Then afterwards I quit exercising for a couple of months because my back was giving me problems, and I went to a chiropractor to try to get it right. I am still having a little discomfort, but I think it is getting better. I don't know if it will ever be completely better because I have a crazy little toddler to run after, and to pick up.

The crazy little toddler is such a joy. He does everything with me, and mostly without complaint. He's always so happy, and he teaches me more than I ever knew he could. I want to be a better person for him.

He still uses a pacifier when he sleeps, and I haven't really wanted to break him of it because it makes life so easy. He loves his pacifier. He has even started trying to get them out of his crib when he is in his room, so I have to remember to keep them out of his reach.

He still loves balls of all shapes and sizes, and when he sees a basketball hoop he goes crazy! He loves basketball, and I don't know if it is because he gets such praise from his daddy when he makes a shot (in his room) or if he just loves it all on his own! When we went to watch Conrad play, he was entertained for an hour! That would be nice if he really liked it, and was actually good at it! If not, oh well! He will be what he will be.

Conrad and I went on a trip to New Orleans, and left Micah with my parents. He did so well, even though he was sick. My mom and dad loved spending time with him, but were ready for us to get back from our short weekend away! I think what really helped was Micah being able to stay at his own home.

I am so excited for our future, but I want life to slow down a little bit so I have a chance to take it all in. We are going to try for baby number two this summer, and I will be griping and complaining all over again. I am so afraid to have another child and not give Micah all the attention he deserves, but I think that is the only child in me talking. I know he will probably be better for it!

Micah and I have been going on short runs together, in order to get ready for half marathon number five! I think the half is my distance! I love it. I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry it has been so long.

Happy birthday, Micah!

I am so emotional today! My big boy has turned one, and it has gone by faster than I ever thought it could. They say once you have kids, time flies, and now I can say that I truly know what that means.

A year of "is he okay?", diaper changes, giggles, messes, nose scrunches, and two happy parents, well, among other things. 

Gosh, did we learn so much! We learned about his gassy moments, how to let him sleep through the night, what to feed him, and how much...and we even trusted our gut and introduced cow's milk a little early! 11 1/2 months of breastmilk is all we could get to, sorry doctors and nurses, I know that two weeks makes a HUGE difference! 🙄😉

I just couldn't see what two weeks would do, and I didn't want to do formula for two weeks, really...did they do research on 12 month babies and 11 1/2 month babies? Do they really know that 12 months is that key number??

Micah is now getting two small bottles a day, one in the morning and one at night. We give him an almond milk/cow's milk combo. I will soon cut one of those bottles, and just give him a sippy cup.

On Sunday, I will run my first marathon...just a year after giving birth! That is such a huge accomplishment...if I finish! This year, I've trained hard and ran two half marathons, as well. 

What I can say about all of this is you can get through it!!! You can get through the sleepless nights, you can get through marathon training (by yourself). Take it one day at a time, and you will be where I am! Or better! 

I've also learned that nurses and doctors believe strongly in certain research, but not every single baby fits the mold with every little thing. Use your common sense too! 

For example, research said "most babies" nurse on each breast for 10-20 minutes. Micah? Yeah, right! He was a fast nurser, so I spent my time worrying that he wasn't getting enough. Do you know that's all I've done this year? Is worry? And...smile! A lot of smiling has occurred, as well! 

Then, the whole issue on breastfeeding the whole year, like two weeks, one week, even one day makes a difference! I swear, the nurse I talked to told me I shouldn't do cow's milk for another couple of days! Really?

Anyway, sorry I've been gone so long! This fall has been so busy! Enough of my journaling!

Happy birthday, my love!