Alexandrite: Three Challenges To Go

[mediaguy99]

Sounds like that nap was a life saver.  I can't imagine trying to wrangle more than one kid at a time.  You're a real super hero, you know that?  All that, and you're pregnant too.

 

We (Mrs. Mediaguy, really) had a midwife for our son.  It was great until she hit like 24 hours of actual labor.  She let it continue to 50 hours before she called for assistance, and it turned into a C-section which fortunately both survived without problem.  Did you know today is the anniversary of the first time a woman survived a C-section in the USA?  Her name was Elizabeth Bennett and she had it in 1794, WITHOUT ANESTHESIA.  Anyway, in many ways I am so grateful for modern medicine because I still have my amazing wife and son with me.  I'm not sure that would have been the case 225 years ago.

 

Be easy going forward... and though I know you didn't suggest it, maybe you could cut out sweets for the kids altogether?  We pretty much have done that with Taos and he doesn't ask anymore.  We've convinced him that candy is really really bad for you...

[Alexandrite]

Gah, I love you guys, this is why I'm part of NF.

Dr. Focker said from now on we will figure something out so he can watch the kids while I go. I forgot to mention that I had lost a pound of weight from two weeks ago and my tummy/fundus measurement or whatever is only coming in at 27 1/2 in, even though I'm almost 30 weeks. I've never had much issue with the uterus measurements before, and the doctor and nurse both didn't make a big deal of it. I'm not going to worry. Also, we ended up going ahead and scheduling an ultrasound for next week, because they told me they couldn't see a portion of the heart they really wanted to see (no abnormalities seen so far). That ultrasound will help determine baby size and growth too so it all works out to 'check in' on the baby. It's active and seems to be doing well to me.

As far as birthing goes, my firstborn was 33 hours total labor, posterior at first and head against his shoulder instead of chin to chest. The midwives were able to turn him in labor, and they also administered sterile water injections in my back to help with the back labor pain (not even crowning was as painful as those injections, so they worked? Haha). No distress the entire labor for my son, he just needed two puffs of oxygen and he was perfect, so I'm grateful. I came out with tearing, bruising, and honestly had a long physical recovery after, but because I was in a birthing center I avoided a C-section. I knew it would never be that long or horrible again!

My second born was also in a stand-alone birthing center, but I waited to go in knowing labor better, and it was only about six hours from when I arrived to when she was born (gently labored at home and doing errands throughout the day). No complications, but I vaguely remember the midwives discussing the contents of my water when it finally broke (neither of my labors started with water breaking, apparently my childrens caul/sacks are very thick?).

I'm hoping that this will be another easy labor, with good baby position and such. There are no other midwives, doulas, or alternatives. Some Mennonite families in the area have all homebirths but they support each other through their church on a kind of under-the-radar way, so I don't think we can go that route.

I just need to have faith. I need to know I will be taken care of and I don't need to worry. The staff of the entire hospital is pretty much excited for me since we visit with them a lot, and Dr. Focker assures me that I will be well listened to and cared for while there. It's such a small hospital and town, they will do their best for me.

I stayed home today and designed a tshirt for my father-in-law for his birthday. We've been trying to relax, but the kids are climbing the walls with energy, haha. We finally have this home that we all feel comfortable in, it's so nice!

I will probably do some yoga during naptime to stretch out. But other than that I have no intention to do anything else today but random WaniKani reviews. Happy Thursday!

P.S. No FB for this challenge has been amazing. Sometimes it's hard missing out on people I care about, but I am immensely happier and have more time because I'm not influenced by what's online as much.

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[Alexandrite]

Sounds like that nap was a life saver. I can't imagine trying to wrangle more than one kid at a time. You're a real super hero, you know that? All that, and you're pregnant too.

We (Mrs. Mediaguy, really) had a midwife for our son. It was great until she hit like 24 hours of actual labor. She let it continue to 50 hours before she called for assistance, and it turned into a C-section which fortunately both survived without problem. Did you know today is the anniversary of the first time a woman survived a C-section in the USA? Her name was Elizabeth Bennett and she had it in 1794, WITHOUT ANESTHESIA. Anyway, in many ways I am so grateful for modern medicine because I still have my amazing wife and son with me. I'm not sure that would have been the case 225 years ago.

Be easy going forward... and though I know you didn't suggest it, maybe you could cut out sweets for the kids altogether? We pretty much have done that with Taos and he doesn't ask anymore. We've convinced him that candy is really really bad for you...

C section without anesthesia... the horror...

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[Alexandrite]

Quick update: did some yoga stretching during naptime.

I also leveled up in WaniKani a few days ago. Took me 18 days for level 3 to 4, and 17 days for 4 to 5. So it's one day faster, yay! Seems like a little over two weeks is my average, so I'll be lucky if I make it to 6 before end of challenge, but we will see!

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[Alexandrite]

So yesterday was more Mind stuff, no Body stuff, and I barely thought about how nice it would be to have the Matter stuff done, haha. I did end up going to a jewelry thing at a friend's house on my own, without kids! I left them screaming and writhing on the floor with their father in some kind of wrestling match. The fact that I could talk normally and hear myself think for a few hours really helped. AND I bought 3 pairs of earrings for myself, which I have never done before! It was fun, so I'm going to 'host' a party at my place end of month for all the freebies. Gives me another incentive to have the Matter stuff worked out, because right now it looks awful in the living room piled all over the TV stand, computer and all. Hopefully will get the Christmas tree out and decorations stored in garage (boxes are too heavy for me to move).

Some family from Korea are visiting my Aunt, we plan on being able to see them this weekend (she lives in the same town as us). Other than that, more house stuff! And pretty snow to look at outside.

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[Alexandrite]

Saw the family visiting, it was neat to see her parents speaking Korean and interacting with the kids. My cousin got sick while here though so we didn't get to spend as much time with them.

Honestly, we spent most of our time cleaning house, removing the Christmas tree, cleaning more, storing decorations. Cleaning more... I don't know why, but I feel almost obsessive about tidying and cleaning, at least to give the house some semblance of neatness. It's not usually like me to vacuum every day, though Dr. Focker did buy me a vacuum I like to use now.

Anyway! I'm plodding along in the Mind stuff. Haven't started reading the book yet. And have only read daily Bible verses, but nothing substantial... I think I just am not making 'me' time for this enough. The WaniKani I fit in here and there throughout the day because it's on a SRS timing. Wonder if they have Bible stuff like that?

No Body stuff this weekend except for stretching a few minutes here and there. I've felt tired (from all the cleaning and activity) and honestly want to sleep so much more. I haven't been getting quality sleep at night so that's why.

Matter stuff is coming along. We cleaned the area up where we havery the computer right now. I organized all the paperwork and mail. Just need to find/build a desk that will work for us. And figure out wireless networking between the TV and computer/phone. We don't want to buy cable or satellite, just use what we have through the internet. Dr. Focker wants to use my uncle's Kreg jig to build a desk so I'm on the lookout for designs that will work with the long space we have. Most desks are one seaters, but I want a long two seater to put under a long window. That way we can sit together and look at things when we budget or meet about important stuff, or when I might start homeschooling? Who knows.

Off to another Tuesday. Hopefully I get some sleep tonight. And no more crazy dreams please! Pregnancy is great and all, but it's emotionally taxing because of all these weird mental side effect from hormones, haha.

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[teddie.bare]

All that cleaning totally counts as body stuff! That's a lot of work, especially for a pregnant lady. I'm sure it feels good to have a lot of that dealt with

 

Sorry you don't have many alternative options in your area, but you are right - everything is going to be just fine. You are a pro at the baby thing now. And having a doctor for a husband can only help while you are in the hospital. I had an alarmingly fast labor. My water broke at 3 am and when I tried to lay back down I immediately had a contraction. I closed my eyes, and had another. It had been 5 minutes. I tried to take a shower to relax, and when I got out they were 3 min apart. I went straight to the hospital. I was hardly dilated when I got there, but was at 8cm in an hour (they were ignoring me because it was shift change and they had some horribly demanding woman in there trying to get a last minute epidural). All in all it was 6 hours from water break to baby in my arms. I only pushed for an hour, and part of that was because I was avoiding doing it. They told me if I ever have any more kids that I have to get to the ER as SOON as I even think I'm in labor. If there is a next time, I doubt I'd have time for anything other than getting myself to the hospital. And I don't think I'd use that midwife again, and she's the only medically cleared one in town.

 

I'm glad you have gotten some good mind stuff in! I totally forgot you weren't doing Facebook this challenge. I have cut back on mine quite a bit since the beginning of the year. It's nice. Really nice. I still check in to a group I'm in with other Academy women and do a quick scroll just to see what's going on, but I make sure it's the last thing I do in the evenings.

 

A two person desk sounds great! That's a really neat idea. We haven't been the budgeting type, but we really need to be. It wasn't such a big deal while my husband was working, but now that he's not I need to go through stuff again. I got rid of most of our unimportant expenses, reduced most of our bills, and paid off 99% of our credit cards. So there's just a few lingering things to take care of, and then we need to start saving and prioritizing projects. There's always something to get done.

 

Hope you are getting some good rest this week. I know I stopped sleeping through the night when I got pregnant. I haven't been able to do it since. Sure does a number to your body, especially while you are pregnant! Besides being tired it sounds like you are feeling pretty good, so that's great

[Alexandrite]

Other than random bangs at night outside and neighbor dogs barking, making me think someone is prowling, I have gotten a bit better sleep. At least Dr. Focker hasn't asked me to get up early with him. Since when did he become a 5am riser? That used to be me. Pregnancy changes that for me, haha.

I haven't updated much this week because, well, things got busy in their own way and I didn't have much different to report. I pulled way back on the cleaning to give myself some rest, which is just as well. My right side of my uterus is unhappy where the baby likes to stick out joints the most. It burns and aches at the same time. The top of my uterus bruised last pregnancy from my daughter doing the same, and the lower portion with my son, so I guess it's par for the course for me. Arnica gel to the rescue!

The ultrasound we had to have redone came back completely normal, so we are all clear to commence with baby arrival in about 10 weeks or less! Getting close. I think ordering the car seat might be first thing I do next challenge start.

I did in fact work on designs for the desk, and found some that I generally like. DIY type ones using the Kreg jig my uncle has. Just one problem: we are going to the next state over (about 4 hours away) for a conference this weekend for Dr. Focker. Next Thursday is a party at our house and I was hoping to have the office computer junk all cleared from the living room... so, I've proposed two options. First is bringing in an old IKEA butcher block island piece we have and placing it in one of the spare bedrooms as a temp desk/organizer thing. We don't really have a place to put it in our new kitchen, so it would be a good use of random furniture. Gives us some time to build what we want. OR we buy something this weekend while out of town, preferably used. I'm leaning more towards the IKEA piece. I just want the living room clear for the party. We will see what I can talk the man into doing, since I'm on a no-lifting regime, haha.

As a bit of a personal commitment related to the Mind section, I've made it a point to email, text, or call people at least once a week to let them know I'm thinking of them. I have friends I've left in various places after moving so much, and not doing FB means I need to make the extra effort. I even called my godmother yesterday. So I'm giving myself a pat on the back for this, because I'm notoriously bad about following through on good impulses when they happen. In the past I constantly composed letters and messages to others during my day, but didn't write them down or send them.

Finally, I have a few projects going on that I'll just jot down here for reference:

Organizing a parent playgroup at my house to fill the preschool void in the community. So many people home school here because there aren't any options or no good one anyway. This will possibly turn into a real preschool thing once I have my baby.

Samaritan's Ministries stuff: we went the route of no real insurance for me this pregnancy, relying instead on a Christian health cost-sharing program. It's been great so far, but does require more organization and staying on top of bills and statements, getting them sent in on time, etc. They are letting me submit estimates ahead of the delivery so we can have cash on hand to pay the hospital within the first three months for a huge discount on our bill. It's such an interesting program so far.

The party on Thursday: it's a jewelry party, of all things. That cookie Lee stuff. I've never done one, and always avoided marketing stuff like this like the plague. But it's a small town and I've already gone to two parties and had fun just talking to the other women that show up. So I got talked into doing one at our house, and I realized it would be a great opportunity to invite some different groups of people over to meet each other and see our new home. Dr. Focker is catering a bit, then offering to watch kids upstairs for a kid movie night while we have the party downstairs.

I think that's it for now, I'll check in later!

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[Alexandrite]

That turned out to be so long, a gif is required.

So glad I'm human...

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[Alexandrite]

Wow, long time since last update! So far the week has been good. We had a very, very productive busy weekend- buying good stuff we needed from an estate sale, bagging and packing up trailer stuff to bring into the house, organizing the kids stuff, and then driving the 4 hours to Boise, ID for a conference for Dr. Focker. We got to stay in the hotel and all that, it was fun. Went to a nice big, active Calvary Chapel there, had a great time. Ran tons of errands (including picking up the Christmas cards I designed a few nights before) and then powered myself through taking the kids to a free play zone at the mall after lunch. Ran to my father's once he got home from skiing, tucked the kids in for nap, then picked up Dr. Focker and went straight to epic shopping at Costco. Dinner with fam and hanging out. A long drive home. Lettuce froze on the way over but everything else made it okay.

I had a great talk with the hubby about our upcoming birth. He and my father brought up some good points: I'm getting far enough along that driving over to Boise isn't going to happen much more, and that I need to have a more in depth talk with my OB about exactly what I will and will not allow during labor. I'm an all natural birther, so I don't really care for cervical checks and ivs and monitoring, haha. I've done it twice already people, I think I got this.

I also just found out today that our pastors wife used to be a doula for many years... it would be ideal if only she weren't expecting another grand baby the same time as me. We will see what happens. I also have my aunt to be with me. Not that my husband does a poor job, he's fantastic at birth support! I just usually feel like punching male presences during labor, women calm me down a lot better.

This week is clean all the things in prep for the party on thursday. I also have a Master Gardeners course starting tonight, three hours each week. I also have an OB appt (which will soon be every week), a moms group gathering, and some other stuff. The weekend looks clear though.

We totally bought a fondue set for $10 with all the accessories, for the party. I'm trying to be so good and keep cleaning instead of party planning. There's two bathrooms that need scrubbing...

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[Elastigirl]

Wow, long time since last update! So far the week has been good. We had a very, very productive busy weekend- buying good stuff we needed from an estate sale, bagging and packing up trailer stuff to bring into the house, organizing the kids stuff, and then driving the 4 hours to Boise, ID for a conference for Dr. Focker. We got to stay in the hotel and all that, it was fun. Went to a nice big, active Calvary Chapel there, had a great time. Ran tons of errands (including picking up the Christmas cards I designed a few nights before) and then powered myself through taking the kids to a free play zone at the mall after lunch. Ran to my father's once he got home from skiing, tucked the kids in for nap, then picked up Dr. Focker and went straight to epic shopping at Costco. Dinner with fam and hanging out. A long drive home. Lettuce froze on the way over but everything else made it okay.

I had a great talk with the hubby about our upcoming birth. He and my father brought up some good points: I'm getting far enough along that driving over to Boise isn't going to happen much more, and that I need to have a more in depth talk with my OB about exactly what I will and will not allow during labor. I'm an all natural birther, so I don't really care for cervical checks and ivs and monitoring, haha. I've done it twice already people, I think I got this.

I also just found out today that our pastors wife used to be a doula for many years... it would be ideal if only she weren't expecting another grand baby the same time as me. We will see what happens. I also have my aunt to be with me. Not that my husband does a poor job, he's fantastic at birth support! I just usually feel like punching male presences during labor, women calm me down a lot better.

This week is clean all the things in prep for the party on thursday. I also have a Master Gardeners course starting tonight, three hours each week. I also have an OB appt (which will soon be every week), a moms group gathering, and some other stuff. The weekend looks clear though.

We totally bought a fondue set for $10 with all the accessories, for the party. I'm trying to be so good and keep cleaning instead of party planning. There's two bathrooms that need scrubbing...

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A fondue set, what fun! Sounds like you are busy doing some great things. Where do you live now that is four hours from Boise?

[Alexandrite]

A fondue set, what fun! Sounds like you are busy doing some great things. Where do you live now that is four hours from Boise?

Eastern Oregon, in a small town called John Day. There are more cows and deer out here than people! But it's fun in its own way.

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[Elastigirl]

Eastern Oregon, in a small town called John Day. There are more cows and deer out here than people! But it's fun in its own way.

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I think I've driven through there.I was hoping that you were on the other side of the mountains and closer to me in Washington.

[Alexandrite]

I think I've driven through there.I was hoping that you were on the other side of the mountains and closer to me in Washington.

Yeah, wish I was closer to people so we could nerd together. I don't think I would live in this remote of an area if it weren't for the internet...

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[Alexandrite]

Well, today is the big party day, and of course... OF COURSE, I wake up in the middle of the night with a sore throat and today I'm feeling slightly down. I knew over the past week my body had been fighting off something. I tried to take a nap or two here and there to fight it off, saline spray, elderberry drops, you know. But I overdid it yesterday cleaning the bathrooms (chemical exposure may have irritated it) and running errands AND taking the kids to a playgroup, and I didn't take a nap (played a little FFIX instead). So I have drastically scaled back my plans on making the house perfect, and instead will just get food prepped and hopefully survive through the evening without too much issue. I'll be taking that nap today.

I also have an OB appt today, and I need to go to the store. I'm considering picking up subway for lunch but that would mean unloading and loading kids for another errand so it may not happen. At least Dr. Focker can watch the kids during my appt.

Good news is that I just leveled up in WaniKani again to lvl 6, and it took 15 days this time. Nice.

I just have to make it through today and then I can coast through the weekend and rest.

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[Alexandrite]

Barely made it - the party was a success and I got everything done as needed. I woke with a cold. Ah life.

Going to call it good on the challenge for now. Self care and relaxation, here I come!

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[Alexandrite]

Thank goodness for weekends. I'm going down for my second nap today, the Dr has been fielding kids and cooking/caring for me all morning. I didn't sleep well last night so this is great. I finally had to down some gatorade - between the cold and the pregnancy I just can't keep up with water and nutrient intake to avoid dehydration. Every time I sleep I feel like Rango drying out in the sun, haha.

Summary for the challenge coming soon.

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[Alexandrite]

Closing out the challenge:

Body: Sort of pass

I didn't do yoga or anything that was rejuvenating, but I did remain active and cleaned a lot of house almost every day of the challenge. Keeping up on a full size house with kids is hard! Partial credit. I've ordered a yoga dvd (same one I used in past pregnancies) to help me get over this hurdle a bit easier.

Mind: Pass partial

Two full levels in WaniKani, daily Bible verses from the Youversion app, and I started reading the Redeeming Childbirth book on the last day of the challenge, haha. So pretty close?

Matter: partial fail

I did a lot of research and thinking of doing things, but no actual doing. I have a baby carseat picked out on amazon, and some desk designs, but mostly still trying to make the TV stand work for us. Unfortunately I got sick at end of challenge so I had to reduce my expectations a lot. Not sure how I'm going to conquer the desk thing, because Dr. Focker isn't totally on board with building OR using the IKEA piece we have.

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[teddie.bare]

You've made progress! that's great news. Keeping up on the house is HARD. I'm struggling just focusing on my kitchen counters. How do such little people make such big messes?!

 

You're doing extra great on the mind stuff. That's awesome. I know that's important to you, so you definitely get a gold star for that.

 

I'm glad you were able to find those Yoga DVDs, I know you were looking for them. Now you can really get into it since you've done all the mental prep, and removed the mental hurtle. All you have to do now is do it