We Have Angel Wings

You'll never believe it, I'm blogging an update!

2011-11-30T21:18:00.002-06:00

Things have been super busy around here. Brielle is growing like a weed and loves to be talked to, played with, sang too and rocked. She's cooing now and it's the sweetest sound I have ever heard.

Other than that life is good. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to Christmas. 2011 has been great to me and I am so thankful for everything and everyone that I have in my life.

I will be opening a new chapter in my life come February. I was enrolled in the Paralegal program, however have decided that behind a desk being barked at is not where I would like to be, so I have decided to become an Esthetician. I used to work in a Salon and I loved it there. I loved the atmosphere, the people, the wild and crazy hair do's and colors and I have decided that it's time to finally do what's going to make me happy.

Other than that all is well. Brielle will be 4 months old on December 17. Not looking forward to her 4m shots, but looking forward to find out how much she weighs and how long she is getting. I got her ears pierced about 3w ago, and she is just so darn cute. She cried for about 10 seconds and then was over it. Having a little girl is seriously dangerous!

Happy Holiday's to you and yours!

We're growing and moving!

2011-10-04T19:52:00.003-05:00

Brielle is growing! We cut the feet out of her pajamas the other night because she was too long for them! It was pretty neat actually.

Right now both J and I are sick with colds. It's been a crappy week. We're starting to get over our colds but we're both wore down and I'm dreaming of sleep.

I was a little concerned about my Breast Milk because I was sick, so I did some research and Breast Milk is totally amazing. When the Mom gets sick your Breast Milk produces antibodies that will protect your child against your illness. I was afraid that because I was sick that my breast milk would be "sick" too... but it's totally the opposite. Our bodies are truly amazing.

Other than that we're surviving. Brielle is still very fussy and I have made an appointment with a Pedi GI Dr because I think there's more to it than just reflux and colic. So, we're hoping to get some answers soon.

Hope you all are well.

Making Progress

2011-09-20T17:13:00.002-05:00

I can't believe that Brielle is a month old already. My how time flies. She's growing and gaining weight and she lifts her head and also turns it from side to side. When I have her on my shoulder burping her from a feeding, she'll lift her head up and turn it over! I love that she's doing all these little things. I can't wait till she starts to smile for real and not just from gas, and starts to coo and talk to us.

We're slowly getting into a sleeping routine. We did start her on reflux meds and that seems to help, but when she passes gas she does have a crying fit. Poor baby. I'm wondering why gas causes baby's so much pain. It seriously shouldn't be that painful. The Pedi said it was from the pressure. Interesting.

Other than that not a lot going on. Just living life and watching her grow. Breast feeding is still going well, however, I really hate it when she spits up. I've been told that all baby's do it, but I just hate it. It makes me feel like I overfed her or that she has a tummy ache and I'm trying to not think like that and just tell myself that this is what she does... but it's not working.

Oh, I do have a question. Is there anyway to teach a baby to not scratch their face? We've been keeping her nails short, but they are just so razor sharp and we keep mitties on her, but I love her little hands and would like to get rid of the mitties. Any suggestions?

2 weeks in review

2011-09-11T21:06:00.004-05:00

The last two weeks have been very hard on all of us. Brielle has colic and she cries all day and all night long. She screams bloody murder and the sound just breaks my heart because I can't do anything for her.

We've been to the Dr. and they also think that she might have some reflux as well. They would like me to cut dairy, caffeine and soy out of my diet to see if that helped any, but so far, no luck. I have to call the Pedi tomorrow and let her know that I haven't seen much change and then they will probably start her on a reflux med. Hoping that this helps a little bit. Poor thing.

There are times during the day that I can't take her crying and I put her in her swing and I go out on the deck where I can still see her and I cry too. I love the fact that she's so tiny and I can hold her and snuggle her, but, I can't wait for her to out grow this. It sure tugs on my heart strings.

We're still trying to get caught up on sleep. Last night was a good night, she slept for 4 hrs. But, it was also a bad crying day, so I am sure she was just exhausted and needed some sleep. Hoping for the same 4 hr stretch today.

I try to get out of the house with her and either go to my Grandma's, my MIL's or out with friends and I have found that being outside with her helps calm her down as well.

We had our 2w photo shoot and it was an EPIC FAIL. Brielle cried the entire 2 hrs we were there and the photographer tried to get some good pics, but it's hard to get pics of a sweet baby when all she's doing is crying. I was so embarrassed and just wanted to crawl in a hole and die. Hoping our 3 month photo session is much better than her 2w session.

Otherwise, not to much is new to report. I'm doing well despite the crying and lack of sleep. I only gained 10 lbs my entire pregnancy and I'm almost a month postpartum and I have lost a total of 35 lbs. I feel pretty good about that.

Breast feeding is going well. She's a champion eater. In the beginning I think we had some latch issues on the left breast, as I had a sore, cracked and bleeding nipple. But, kellymom.com has been a blessing. They said to soak your sore nipple in salt water - 8oz of warm water and 1/2 tsp of salt.. so I didn't nurse on that side for 3 days and put the mixture in a spray bottle and would pump - after every pumping session I would spray my nipple with the solution and after 3 days it was healed and there was no more pain. I highly recommend this to anyone out there that has sore nipples from breast feeding. It seriously is magic.

Hope all of you are doing well. I'm going to go shower and try and get some sleep.

Swaddle Me

2011-08-28T21:48:00.003-05:00

Picture from: http://www.sinopaperart.com/batik-happy-baby.htm

So, we went out and bought her a swaddle me and guess what? She slept for 5 hrs straight!!!

I know I'm weird, but seeing her in it bothers me because it looks like a baby straight jacket and that just freaks me out. But, if I can sleep and she's comfy and sleeping better, then I'm game for trying anything.

She's swaddled and sleeping soundly and I'm trying to get caught up on emails and such and then I'm going to bed.

Hope everyone is doing well. I miss reading your blogs and I'm sorry I'm behind. One of these days I will get caught up again, but for now, Motherhood has taken over and Brielle is the boss. :)

Off to catch a nap before she wakes! Good night every one.

P.S. I tried uploading some pics of Brielle, but couldn't get them to load. If I have a chance tomorrow, I will try again.

Our week at a glance

2011-08-27T08:42:00.002-05:00

Well, Brielle is already 10 days old. I can't believe how fast time is going. I see new changes in her every day.

Our first week home has been kind of stressful. With me recovering from a c-section and her being fussy, it makes for two miserable chicks in this house. I think that she might have some gas issues and we're now giving her My.licon drops and they seem to be helping somewhat. I have tried to bicycle her legs to get the gas rolling out of her tummy, but she is one strong little girl and when she doesn't like something, well, it just isn't happening.

We are all very much sleep deprived and try to nap when she does, but sometimes you just have stuff you need to do, like the laundry and dishes.

I also have a question about swaddling if anyone can answer it for me. I think that she likes her legs to be swaddled but not so much her arms. She uses her fist to soothe herself and I find that she's always getting her hands free. Would you recommend getting a different blanket so she can't break out of it, or is just swaddling her legs and letting her have her arms and hands free ok? I really hate the swaddle - IDK why, but it makes me nervous because she looks like she's in a little baby straight jacket. But, I'll try anything to get her to sleep longer than 1.5 hrs through the night. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Other than being sleep deprived I would say that we're doing well. Breast feeding is going smoothly and we're truly enjoying our little miracle!

Brielle is here!!!

2011-08-21T11:59:00.001-05:00

My sweet little princess arrived on 8/17 at 12:46 pm, weighing 8 lbs 6oz and was born via scheduled c- section. I had some complications during delivery, but am starting to feel so much better.

She is beautiful, amazing, and everything I thought she would be. We are so in love!

We are home and getting acclimated. I will share some more pics later on. She was born with dark hair and has beautiful olive skin.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Come out, come out, where ever you are!

2011-08-16T12:46:00.002-05:00

Oh boy! 39w and still NO progress. And when I say no progress, I mean NO progress. My cervix is hard as a rock and is long and very much closed.

Now, it just becomes a waiting game. Until next week, I suppose. But hoping that she decided on a birthday sooner rather than later. So, little Miss Brielle, come out, come out, where ever you are!! We're all waiting for you and we know that you can do this!

Other than that, everything is ready. Our bags are packed, the nursery is complete, the house is clean, the cars are cleaned and the car seat is installed. We are ready!!!

Still nervous and scared of giving birth, but I know once it's done and over with, nothings going to matter but her.

Scared

2011-08-14T05:05:00.001-05:00

Just incase anyone was wondering.. I am seriously scared to give birth.

I think I am more scared of the unknown and the pain. I will not be going med free and I will have a great support team, but none the less I am scared and feeling some anxiety over it.

Next Dr. appointment on Tuesday. Hoping for some progress!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

38w and counting

2011-08-11T18:43:00.002-05:00

So, I had my 38w appointment yesterday and Brielle can't make up her mind whether she likes to be heads up or heads down... last week she was breech, this week, she's hanging out in the birth canal! Silly little girl.

No progress, so we're still just waiting. I've got my bag packed, her Nursery is complete and I just need to schedule a pedicure and an eye brow wax and we'll be good to go.

The GD is still under control and all is well here.

I do have to say that even though I was devastated about the GD, I'm pretty proud of my body for baking my sweet sticky cinnamon bun for so long. So, hooray for that! So happy to be full term and just patiently awaiting her arrival.