A Little of This, A Little of That: September 2014

Ten weeks ago today, just about this time in the morning, I woke up and thought I'd peed the bed. Now I'm in my living room hooked up to my pump like a dairy cow while Josh and Vivi snooze away. Motherhood is glamorous.

What a ride these weeks have been! Ten weeks ago, Josh and I had gone to Bahama Bucks with my Dad, Angie, and Katie and then spent the evening at the pool. I was complaining about how big I was and hoping this baby would come out soon! I couldn't sleep that night and woke up at about 3 to go to the bathroom, as usual, and then was up until a little after 5. I'd dozed off on and on a bit, and then woke up with a start because I thought I'd either peed the bed or my water had broken - both options were quite reasonable at the time.

Once I knew for sure what was going on, I took a shower, had some breakfast and off we went to the hospital. We got checked in and settled, but I was having no contractions. Typically, you need to deliver a baby within 24 hours or so of your water breaking so you don't risk an infection, so we started pitocin to give me contractions at about 10 that morning. I made it until 4 or so that afternoon before I had an epidural, and thank you baby Jesus for good drugs!

Looking like goobers on the way to the hospital

I remember when I started having contractions and thinking, "Oh I got this! I can breathe through this like a boss." And then it just got worse. and worse. and worse. until I thought I was going to die. I don't think I have a strong tolerance for pain, but I seriously don't know how women do that for hours! I think if I had known exactly how long it was going to take - if I had a set goal in mind - I might have had the willpower to stick it out, but when I was offered immediate relief and it was right within reach, I gladly took it. After that, I just relaxed and watched some HGTV until it was Go Time. Next baby, I'm just gonna get that epidural at check in ;)

Our sweet Vivienne was born at 9:25 pm, weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces, and was 20.25 inches long. During the delivery, I was just focused on getting that baby out, but to hear Josh tell his side of that process is hysterical. I'm going to try and get him to write it out for me so we don't forget, and I'll post it. I don't think I would do it justice by retelling it myself.

Snuggling with my love!

We stayed at the hospital for two nights and then came home. I don't understand how women deliver babies and then look cute when it's time to go home. I have a "decent" looking picture of me right after I delivered, but two days later I looked like a wreck! I could barely shampoo my own hair, let alone blow dry it and put on makeup. Maybe I'm a wimp, but I thought the first week postpartum was ten times harder than the actual delivery.

Lookin' rough for the drive home

The first two weeks were pretty rough, but after that it got easier and easier. I am feeling kind of normal now...pudgy but normal. I've had so many friends tell me how much weight they lost simply by breastfeeding. Even my lactation consultant told me to pretty much eat whatever I wanted because my body would just do it's thing and I'd be back to normal in no time. I call BS. I have not lost a pound - not one single pound since I got home from the hospital. Looks like Jillian Michaels and I are going to be best friends soon. I know it's not so bad. Healthy baby, healthy mama - a little pudge won't hurt. I'm just ready for my pants to fit ;) Oh, and to not have porn star boobs.

Viv is great. It will probably take me an hour to sort through all the pictures on my phone and decide which ones to include. She screamed a lot - A LOT - during the first few weeks, especially in the evenings, but I think those days are just about over. We've got some reflux issues but I think we're getting that all worked out too. She's smiling more and more, and I feel like we'll get a giggle any day now. She doesn't really like tummy time yet, but she loves this little play mat we have that has a mirror on it so she can see herself. She won't sleep in her crib yet, or in the pack and play we have in our room. If we lay her flat, she wakes right up, even when she's swaddled. She sleeps great in the MamaRoo next to our bed, but I know we need to start switching over eventually. She sleeps from about 8 pm to 4 am, has a bottle, and then goes back down from 5-7, so I don't want to move her and mess up our groove!

1st Month: