Catch up with Connie!

It's been like forever since I've even had a second to breath it feels like, much less update my blog.

Let me try to catch you up...

Summer pregnancy = miserable pregnant lady. And to top it off I had a pinched nerve or something and was constantly having to go to the chiropractor just to be able to sit up straight without severe pain. But I survived and made out like a bandit with a beautiful little ray of sunshine.

August:

Got a sinus infection and some kind of congestion. The doc gave me some meds and sent me home to stay for a few days saying that he didn't want me delivering while sick. Well....that didn't work out. That same day my boss called me with several problems from work and after several hours of back and forth on the phone, I decided it would be easier just to go in and fix it myself. Got to work, got everything fixed, and was packing up some things from my office when my water broke. But I wasn't sure my water broke, thought maybe I just peed in my pants. So we went and got dinner and was just kind of piddling around at the house, when I stood up from sitting and enough water gushed that I knew for sure that something was going on. I didn't have any contractions though, so we packed some things and double checked that we had everything, called the parents, and slowly made our way to the hospital. When we got there around 10pm, I wasn't even dilated at all, so they started a Pitocin drip and said that it may be up to quite some time before anything started to happen. They did my epidural around 3am and said that things were still progressing slowly, so we sent our parents home to get some rest. At 7am, the nurse came in and said that she had a sneaky feeling and wanted to check me. She said that I was fully dilated and we would be pushing soon. I woke Joe up and called we called our parents. The team brought in all kinds of equipment and were running around frantically and at 7:11am, Genevieve was born. 7 lbs and 1 oz.

 

Such a beautiful angel! And with a full head of hair!

September:

When she was 2 weeks old, she started throwing up every time she ate. She got really dehydrated and had to be hospitalized. She would projectile vomit and a few times got choked. To the point that I slept in the recliner with her on my chest, to make sure that she didn't choke and was breathing. Sleep became unknown to me. Then she developed colic or some tummy problems and began to scream or fuss all the time.

 

Several hospitalizations, multiple tests, and no one could figure out what was wrong. They did confirm that she had acid reflux, but I don't think anyone had truly been listening to me or understood exactly how much she was throwing up. Every doctor and specialist we went to didn't know what to do for her. All they kept telling me was that it would hopefully get better with time. Time is not the answer you want to hear when you have a sick baby. They also tested for all kinds of food allergies and took her off breast milk. I think we're on our 7th formula now.

October:

I was only supposed to have a 6 week maternity leave. But Genevieve wasn't getting any better. And my job was being super-duper cool and gave me some more time. I attempted to go back to work on October 28th. But things just didn't work out that way. My husband got a stomach virus on Halloween. He gave it to me. I had to call in my mom to come help with Genevieve because as sick as she had been, I didn't need her any sicker. Then our son, Joseph got it. Then Genevieve. She got so dehydrated, it put her back in the hospital again. While we were in the ER being admitted to the hospital, I got an email from the owner of my company stating that she had heard that Genevieve had been sick and not to worry about my job, that they wanted me to come back, but only after she was well. She had no idea we were getting admitted to the hospital again. I just sat there and cried, now I could quit worrying about getting back to work and worry about Genevieve and her health. While in the hospital, she got some kind of congested and started sounding like a peculating coffee machine when she breathed.

November:

We were still at home. Still congested. Trying everything to make it better. Her doctor didn't want to give her any antibiotics for it because she'd already had a round of antibiotics during one hospital stay and she wasn't running a fever. So we'd sit in the hot shower for as long as we had hot water, and we'd use a humidifier. Then, since she wasn't getting any better, I started using a vaporizer at night while she slept. Then started saline nose drops and got a electric aspirator. By Thanksgiving week, she was a little better and hadn't thrown up in days. So I started trying to get her sleeping through the night and started keeping a really strict schedule in hopes that I could start back to work soon. We were able to go to Joe's dad's house for Thanksgiving and stay to do our annual cane grinding and cooking of cane syrup. Which was pretty awesome. We really hadn't been out of the house much except to go to doctor's visits and the hospital.

December:

Since we were on a roll with leaving the house, I requested that we get our Christmas pictures done with Santa.

I think they turned out pretty good.

Monday, I started back to work. Genevieve seems to be adjusted to daycare pretty well and I'm trying to get caught up at work.

Things are looking up.

I've been truly blessed...Have a wonderful husband. We had a new little angel in addition to our already wonderful family. Things couldn't be better.

Forever Friday...

Why can't every 3rd day be Friday? Followed by Saturday and Sunday, then right back to Friday...

Oh well....wishing won't get me anywhere...

I'm 31 weeks and 5 days today. Feel like I'm going to burst any day...only...I have 8 more weeks to go!!!! I've only gained 4 pounds so far, which is the awesome part. Having some serious discomfort in my back every day, I'm just trying to remember that it's all worth it.

Been busy as all get out. About few weeks ago, we finally got the baby's room cleaned completely out. We finally painted last week and here's our progress so far:

 The walls turned out a little pinker than I had initially intended. I'm hoping that once I get some stuff up on the walls and some curtains hung, it won't look so "pepto bismolly"...

Here are some pics from my wonderful Surprise shower a few weeks ago:

These ladies did an amazing job! And made me feel so loved.

And I just want to put this little tidbit out there for those of you that have pregnant friends or loved ones:

NEVER, EVER, talk about a pregnant woman's size or weight or make a flippant comment about twins. I'm starting to think that the world is insane and callous. That junk HURTS people. Not kidding. Everyone keeps telling me that I look like I'm going to burst any day, then ask how long I have left, and are really shocked that I have 8 weeks left. I really want to tell them where to stick it. SERIOUSLY! I've gained 4 pounds. 4 pounds. Not 40. I realize that somehow I look like I've swallowed a basketball, but C'MON! I can see your faces. Can't someone just tell me I'm beautiful, or congratulations, or something nice. Telling me that I'm huge, am I sure I'm not having twins, or that I shouldn't be working when I'm about to burst...is gonna get someone killed. Like...for real.

I'll have to take a picture and post. I don't think I look that bad for almost 32 weeks. I was overweight to begin with, and I don't think that I look like I'm 12 months pregnant, like everyone else makes me feel.

Gotta get back in the Game!

My blogging has been nonexistent apparently.

I stink.

I will try to do better.

Promise!

Things have been wild and crazy lately. Some for the good, some for the bad.

Been trying desperately to finish unpacking our house. Our bedroom has been piled up with boxes in the corner, the baby's room had become the dumping ground for anything we didn't know exactly where it should go yet, and we've had random boxes stuck here and there and everywhere.We finally  managed to finish unpacking our bedroom. Well...I finished at least. My husband has a small stack of 3 boxes that he still needs to go through. And we completely cleared out the baby's room. YAY! Finally. I'm only 27 1/2 weeks now. I told my husband that I'd really like to be done with unpacking and getting the baby's room ready by July 4th. So if I don't feel well and want to sleep when I get home everyday, I can. Guilt free. Cause this gal isn't getting any smaller anytime soon. I feel so huge and bloated and gross and fat. Not to mentioned tired.

It's amazing how different 2 pregnancies can be. With my first, hardly any weight gain, no morning sickness, no heartburn, no swelling. Beautiful pregnancy. Was full of energy, felt great, looked great. This time...not so lucky. And y'all I'm not normally a complainer, but lately I've felt like one. Maybe even a whiner. I don't mean to be. I swear. I'm just so tired. And I'm sick of throwing up - 3rd trimester sickness just kicked in. Heartburn galore. I'm just frankly ready for it to be over with. It's all worth it - 10,000,000 %, but I'd rather have my baby in my arms than be pregnant (this pregnancy) anymore.

We been so wonderfully blessed. We still have to paint the baby's room, but in the meantime...I've been Craigslist shopping. And man! Have I found some deals! Found a matching cherry crib, dresser, and changing table for $155. And she threw in a Boppy and a cute crib set. It has flowers and ladybugs on it. It is so cute. Then on another Craigslist run I got a whole lot of 6 items for $100. A bumbo seat, a door swing, a bouncy rocking chair, a snugli, a carseat, and a little tub. Awesome!

Then, last night, was starving, but Wednesday night's my women's group from church. So I swing through McDonald's (I know, horrible!), and get a cheeseburger and fries. I'm so hungry that I eat the cheeseburger on the way to her house, but decide they'll just have to forgive me for eating my fries in front of them. I get there, knock on the door, and no one answers. So I open the door just a tad and yell hello, but no one answers. So I push the door open all the way, and all my lady friends jump out and yell "SURPRISE!". Surprise baby shower for me! Awwww! So sweet. It was awesome. They had cooked. We had BBQ ribs, potato salad, spinach salad, baked beans and cake. (So sorry I ate a cheeseburger at this point, but I had some of it all anyway.) At this point, I'm so full of food and baby that I can barely breathe. Then we play some games and I get to open a bunch of wonderful gifts. Wonderful night! I don't know that I've ever had a surprise party before...It was amazing.

My brain's all over the place, trying to remember what I wrote about last, what I need to cover...

Had a doc's appointment yesterday morning too. Glucose test and sonogram rolled into one. Drank the glucose stuff and got my blood drawn. Then they did a sonogram to see if the Placenta Previa had corrected itself or if we were going to have to schedule a c-section early. Awesome news! No c-section! I can deliver naturally. YAY! Of course, I will have an epidural this time. (Once without drugs was more than enough...been there, done that, don't ever want to do that again) Pain free sounds much better.

I'm 27 weeks and 4 days. 12 1/2 weeks to go...

Oh, and the sonogram yesterday showed a full head of hair. The lady said she'd never seen that much hair at 27 weeks. So we're going to have a baby with some long, lovely locks it seems. How cute!

Sorry for such a short blog, but I'm going to do better and keep you up-to-date.

Thursday Schmursday

I have been a totally slacker blogger. I haven't written in forever it seems.

Soooo...let me catch you up...

Pregnancy
I'm now 21 1/2 weeks pregnant. I weigh exactly 1 lb. less than I did before I found out I was pregnant. So 'way to go' on not gaining a million pounds. Let's see if I can keep that up! At my beginning pregnancy weight, I read that I should aim to not gain more than 10 pounds total, so I'm doing good so far. I have been eating pretty horribly though. I'm scared if I keep this up, I will not keep the same momentum I have going on much longer. I just crave sweets, candy, etc. It's like they are calling my name.

I'm still tired all the time. My little body-hijacker is draining the life out of me. But that's OK. I'll deal. I know it will be so worth it in the end.

I know this may sound crazy, but there are days when this all doesn't seem real. That I'm not actually pregnant. That I'm really just fat and tired. I keep trying to remind myself that it's oh-so-very real and we'll be having a crying, pooping baby here very soon.

I have placenta previa. And initially after doing some research figured my chances of it going away were pretty good. Then my doctor called me in and basically scared the crap out of me. He told me basically no more physical activity, especially of the fun kind. And that he would monitor me really close for 8 weeks and then decide if he wanted to take her early. So we wait...

House
Finally getting some unpacking done at the house. We decided to have a NO-TV night this past Friday and got so much done, that we've managed to have several more since then and gotten tons done. Our house is finally coming together. YAY! Now if we can just get the baby's room done, we can start collecting baby stuff.

Church
I got re-dunked (re-baptized) recently at my church. I was baptized when I was 6 and although at the time I knew what I was doing and made a conscious decision, now that I'm older and more mature, my understanding is different. I felt it was necessary to rededicate my life and a profession my Christian faith.

Randomness
I've finally gotten used to wearing my seat belt. That doesn't mean I like it, but I'm doing it. And it makes my husband happier.

Funerals suck. I realize that everyone dies and that we are all going to die, but I have seriously seen my fair share of death and funerals. I'm done. I need a break from death. Everyone must stay alive until further notice.

I've gotten very fed up with my job recently. Just plain sick of it. I don't know what to do to get over it. And I want to, really. I live right outside of Savannah. If I get another job, chances are it would be in Savannah and then I would have to deal with traffic every day. I like working in the same county our kids go to school in, not dealing with traffic, I'm off at 3:45 everyday. It's just the politics and bull-hockey, I'm so sick of it. I have literally done the same research at least 8 times that I can prove, to be able to make a substantial purchase justifiable. Basically we have this software that 40 people need to use on a daily basis and we have 18 licenses to use it. So I waste at least 1-2 hours a day releasing licenses per request. I seriously have better things to do. I've done my part - at least 8 times just justify purchasing more licenses, but they just shelf it until it comes up again and want me to write down how many times I get called everyday for licenses and such. I don't have time! It's ridiculous! OK...Ima quit whining now. Most people don't like their jobs...I'll just have to get over it.

Guess that it's for now. Have a great day!

Weekend recap and the Tuesday Blues

Today is a very sad day.

I just lost my second mom, Linda. She basically adopted me into her family 8 years ago when I met her daughter and we quickly became friends. Her daughter Christina and I were super close, and tragically a little over a year ago, she decided to take her own life. Christina had developed a mental illness that made her fear getting in a car, or basically going anywhere at all. Through Christina's illness, I became really close with her family. I call both of her parents, Mom and Dad. Her mom mothers me, just like my own does. I just recently saw the whole family Easter weekend when my "brother" Robby got married. She told me that she wanted to come see our new house when we got it all unpacked. She was always so happy and smiling, and loved everyone dearly. Between losing both of them, I'm devastated. My heart aches. I hurt for the family too. In the last few years, they have lost Linda's father-in-law, Linda's mother (MeeMa), Christina, and now Mama too. I'm sure her husband Ronnie is devastated. They were still in love after 30 something years of marriage. They had the marriage that everyone hopes and dreams of on their wedding day. I can only pray that my husband and I will still be so in love 30 years from now.

I'm trying to stay busy and occupied so I don't think about it too much, so I'll catch you all up on the last little bit of my life since I haven't been posting like a good little blogger should.

I'm still tired. Apparently that's not changing. So needless to say...no unpacking has happened at my house. None. Living in madness. Still.

We did get to get out of town for the weekend. Joe's cousin got married in Birmingham, AL. I don't recall ever having been there. It was a nice little drive. Little hard on the pregger's back. But nothing I can't handle.

Here's a few shots from the wedding. Please excuse the quality, my phone stinks and my camera is lost amidst the mountain of boxes we have yet to go through.

The last one, as Joe's mom took it, Joe felt our little girl kick him for the first time. He teared up a little after this shot. It was really sweet and cute.

Then we saw this tractor being hauled on the way home. I think this is probably one of the funniest things I've seen on the road. Joe and I had some good laughs on this one!

Then my loving husband indulged his wife some more. I love waterfalls and although it was raining, he stopped at High Falls and helped me get some great pics!

Thursday Schmursday

I'm still here.
I know I haven't been posting like I used to.
I'm exhausted.
I was praying for some reprieve with the second trimester, but that's not happening apparently.
So basically all I want to do is sleep.
Only...

AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR DAT!

I work full-time. I'm married. We have 2 kids at home, and 1 MIA most of the time (teenager), and 1 on the way. We have a house to keep clean, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking...I could go on...but you get the idea. It's life. It doesn't stop. For anyone. Especially me. And we still have an enormous mountain of boxes that just doesn't seem to be getting any smaller.

I've resorted to crawling under my desk at lunch...just to get a little nap. Sad. I know. But it's all I got. Unfortunately, I scared the crap out of someone yesterday who was bringing me their personal computer to look at and was going to leave it on my desk only to find me under it. She screamed. Then was worried something was wrong...pregnant woman lying on the floor...I'm sure it's not a pretty picture.

I'm thinking I need to start walking again. But just finding the energy to get out there and do it is going to be a challenge. I need motivation fairies. If anyone has any...send them my way!

Today is my Friday!

I am so terribly excited about having a 3 day weekend! You'd think it was Christmas!

Been a long time since I've posted. I'm still alive. I promise! Just super busy and extremely tired.

We're all moved thanks to a bunch of wonderful people. Here are some pics from moving day:

These wonderful people helped us finish packing and helped us get it all moved. When the line of trucks, trailers, and cars pulled out of our old house headed to the new, I started crying. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that convoy. We are so truly blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives! The guys are all from my husband's small group. The men and a few of their wives helped us get it all moved and packed and then the women in my women's group provided food for all these wonderful people. 

We've still got to get a few rooms unpacked, but we're slowly getting there. 

We've got a 3 day weekend this weekend, so hopefully we can get a few more things unpacked this weekend. 

Everyone have a blessed and Happy Easter!