So What! Wednesday

I am linking up with Shannon at L.A.I.D for So What! Wednesday



Here is what I am saying So What! too:

• if I had to ask my mom when Mother's Day was!
• if I haven't gotten out Lillie's birth announcements yet. (Baptism invites went out!)
• If I am only cooking dinner two-ish times a week
• if I love holding my baby...probably after I 'should' put her down
• if I enjoy the quiet time with Lillie in the middle of the night.  There is nothing that is so sweet than to change her diaper at 3:00 am and see her toothless smile
• if I started using MyFitnessPal to count calories.  I have 2 pounds to pre-pregnancy, 10-15 pre-fertility meds
• if I am still craving chocolate like it is my job.
• if my laundry is WAY behind.  I am working on that one today
• if I failed miserably at breast feeding and I feel guilty that I don't feel more guilty about stopping.  I tried.  I got frustrated, Lillie got frustrated...patience is just NOT our thing!

One Month

 I just can't believe my baby is one month old.  This first month has gone by so fast.  We have had many visitors and our first major holiday.

 she is starting to get rolls...almost as chunky as her cheeks!

 She humors mommy when she pulls out the camera

 well, she humors her for a few minutes!

When she is done...SHE.  IS.  DONE!

This month:

Sleep: she is now sleeping from 9-10 until 2-3, then 5-5:30

Clothes: she has outgrown the newborn things.  I think we got to wear them all once!

Diaper Size: 1

 starting to smile...lots.

 showing her little (well not so little) personality.  She has a bit of a temper.

 has her one month dr appointment on Thursday.  So I don't know her height/weight.

 takes a bottle about every 3 hours during the day with a longer stretch at night.  She gets 4 oz of formula at each feeding with a 2 ounce bottle to top her off sometimes.

loves to cuddle with daddy and mommy.

She loves the halo sack.  it is part of her bedtime routine

I just love my baby girl and can't wait to see what the next month will bring.

Thoughts on Boston

I have refrained from posting anything about the 'new' Boston massacre.  I thought that given a few days I would gain some clarity (maybe more sleep, so I could form a clear thought)  Since this latest event took place at a marathon, I feel like I am compelled to at least acknowledge the event and while I am at it give my opinion/thoughts.

As most readers know, I am a marathoner.  I am a four time marathon finisher (four times in one year, stupid yes but very proud!)  Qualifying for Boston is like the SuperBowl of the running world.  Once you qualify, you have to train in the cold, snowy, icy winters (at least where I live) then you have to do lots of hill work so that Heartbreak Hill.  This year, the runners,spectators, volunteers, and directors did their part.  What no one expected was the coward who tried to tear apart the running community and America.

What this coward didn't know is that the running community is made up of some of the strongest people I know.  They are husbands, wives, children, doctors, janitors, military, students, they are America.  They cannot be torn down.

This morning I was watching "The View" (now I don't agree with political comments from the hosts) Whoopie Goldberg made the comment that next year everyone should go to Boston for support.  She said that she certainly can't run it, but she is strong enough to walk it.  Now, I am certain that she won't have to qualify if she wants to partake but I think the sentiment is fabulous.  I think that next years marathon should be the biggest and best marathon yet.

This weekend is the London Marathon and then several other large marathons are coming up soon (it is marathon season after all) I wish all the runners good luck.

This leaves me with what can I do?  I can pray as I have been, I have worn running t-shirts in support, I have watched more news than I care too (I still haven't watched the taping of the Boston marathon, I want to, I just can't bring myself to do it yet.)  I can speak out and most of all I can run.  I will soon be allowed to run again after the birth of Lillian.  I can't wait to get out there, I can't wait to register and run a race.  Will I be scared?  yes, but I will be cautious and I won't allow these terrorists to take away a large part of my life.   I probably won't have Jeff and Lill come to the finish line, which is a huge shame.  If/When I do another marathon I would like them to watch me finish and share in my accomplishment.  We will just be cautious and hyper aware of what is going on around us.

One of the things I heard that the running community is doing is any races that are coming up, runners are asked to cross their arms over their chests as they cross the finish line for all those who were at Boston.

Three weeks

I can't believe my baby is three weeks old already.

Last week was busy.  Monday Jeff worked.

 Tuesday, Brad, Kerri and Addie came to visit our girl.

Friday was our first road trip.  We went to Youngstown.  She met all the teachers at St. Charles.  She also lost her umbilical cord.  Lillie had her first visit to Grandma & Grandpa Marsh's house.

Saturday, Lillie had her first Big Girl Bath

Yesterday, I started playing with my camera.  Now that I have a model, it is much easier!

Sunday, my Aunt Ellen, Uncle Doug and Sarah came to visit our sweet girl.

Presents

 Some of my friends sent this sweet basket to our Lillian.  I love it  The basket is already filled with books and toys for in the family room. We have washed the towels and bib so we are ready to go!

Meeting Great-Grandma (bobka)

 The Tuesday after Easter, Jeff's mom and Grandma came to visit and meet Miss Lillian

Mimi made a rag quilt for Lillie and she played on it for a little bit and then decided it was the perfect place to take a little nap!

Lillian's first Easter

 Lillie was only 9 days old for Easter.  But we couldn't be parent failures this early in her little life (I have already done that!)

 We colored eggs, see Lillie is present in the pictures to prove she was there!

Lillie's first Easter dress.  It was totally and completely over the top.  We went to Mass to celebrate the Risen Christ.  Then we had family over to celebrate.  My parents, Billy, Uncle Greg, cousin Justin and his fiancee Laura.

 The Easter bunny came and left lots of presents for our little Lillie.

 We asked Billy to be Lillie's Godfather.  He said yes.  

The best place to sleep

Jeff and Lillie sleeping the morning away!

Coming home from the hospital

10 days old...time for a Birth Story

so, on Thursday, March 21, I was admitted to the hospital for my induction.  They began by getting me to a room and started the cytotec.  Once this teeny tiny little pill is inserted, it feels like a grain of sand that is 'stuck'.  You know it is working when you begin to feel period-like cramping with the contractions.  We tried to get some rest, I think I dozed off and on during the night.  Around 7 am, the resident inserted a foley bulb.  It was NOT fun.  The cramping got worse and they told me that when my cervix dilated it should fall out on its own.  My doctor came in she removed the foley and broke my water.  It was a huge relief that this was out.  The contractions were stronger and stronger.  We tried to rest and prepare for the 'work' that was ahead.

Our parents got to the hospital and I allowed everyone to come back to the room.  Obviously they left when I needed to be checked or have the epidural, etc.

Yes, I did get an epidural.  I was feeling nauseous and was told that the epidural would help with that feeling and WOW!  did it ever.  I felt great after.  It was a very smart move on my part especially for what I didn't know was going to happen...each doctor that came in to check me was asked if they could feel hair.  they all told me that there was definite hair there.

Somehow I was able to take a great nap about 4:30-6:00pm.  When I was checked at 6, I was fully dilated and ready to push. Started pushed at 6:20.  The doctor had me stop for a few minutes. Baby girl was coming out head up instead of down.  The doctor was going to rotate her with my next couple of contractions.  Once she was twisted, we began pushing again.  Jeff watched the whole process.  He said it was unbelievable that I was able to push our baby out into the world.  The feeling of her leaving my body was bittersweet.  I was so happy to meet her and yet so nervous for the road ahead.  Right before Baby Girl made her entrance into this world her heart rate began to drop.  My doctor requested that the team of pediatricians be in the room for delivery.  Over the loudspeaker, I heard Pediatricians state room XXXX for Newborn Tachycardia.  All of a sudden there was a team of four pediatricians in the room with us and then Lillian Rose was born.  The cord was wrapped around her neck and she was passed over to the Pediatricians and she immediately 'pinked' up and began crying.  This was the most beautiful sound.  Our baby girl Lillian Rose was in my arms.

Lillian Rose born Friday, March 22, 2013 7:30 pm 7 pounds 11 ounces 22 inches long.  Apgar 8/9. Head circumference 14.5  Head full of hair.

 meeting the grandparents