Hammerman Beach

March 23 was insanely warm and some friends invited Lauren and me to go to one of the local state parks where there's a little beach. I was a little nervous about going that far from home for the first time, but I was anxious to get out of the house and see my friend and her friend who was visiting. It was only the second time I'd been in the car by myself with Lauren and I pulled over twice while driving there to check on her! I guess I need to buy a mirror so I can see her! We only spent an hour there and Lauren slept the whole time, but it was great to be outside in the fresh, nice air and chat with other adults. On the way home I had one of my friends' older kids ride in the backseat with Lauren, so I wouldn't be so nervous. And poor thing got hungry before we got home and was screaming by the time we got there. But other than that it was a successful outing! I can't wait until the weather is warmer all the time and we can take walks regularly.

My friend is the queen of photo shoots with her kids,

so she was happy to do a little one of

me and Lauren!

Lauren's Birth Story - The Short Version

I'd wanted to use this as my journaling of the weekend long events leading up to Lauren's birth, but it's taking forever and I want to get SOMETHING written down before I forget everything. Plus i can't believe she's already 3 weeks old and I haven't blogged about her yet! So here's the condensed version of what happened:

Friday, March 2 - I went to labor and delivery for my second scheduled non stress test at 11am. They tested my blood pressure and protein and found a high level of protein, so they had me hang out in a triage bed while they ran blood work and got a specific protein count. The lab messed up a little, so I sat there til almost 3pm, hooked up to fetal monitors and a blood pressure cuff, waiting for the results. Luckily I'd brought my kindle! Protein was over 4 (at 0.2 or 0.3 they start to worry about preeclampsia)! So there was no choice but to admit me and induce labor! I didn't even get to go home and get a change of clothes or anything, I went right into a labor room.  It was pretty surreal to call Chris and my dad (who called my mom at work) to tell them I was being admitted to have the baby! They let me have dinner and then put in the cervidil to soften my cervix. At that point I was only allowed to get up to use the bathroom and had to unhook myself from the monitors and drag an IV pole (for fluids) with me - lots of fun!

Saturday, March 3 - They checked me in the morning, but I was only 1cm and not really effaced at all, so they monitored me for most of the day with no change, so they took the cervidil out, let me get up and walk around and have dinner (I'd only been allowed clear liquids all day - I've never eaten so much jello!) and then put in another cervidil, hoping for better results. It was a long, boring day, but luckily people came to visit me. It was the day of my family baby shower - which they had without me since the food had already been paid for! Most people didn't go, but the ones who did had fun playing the games and eating. Afterwards my mom and my cousin brought my presents to the hospital for me to open.

Sunday, March 4 - A little after midnight I got up to use the bathroom, when I got back into bed I felt more liquid leaking out and in my tired mind I first thought I was still peeing! After a minute I realized it was probably my water breaking, so I woke up Chris and got to say something I'd been dreaming of saying for months, "Um, I think my water just broke!" He didn't believe me, but it kept gushing, so I called the nurse and sure enough, it was my water! I was pretty grossed out by how much was gushing out, so I went and sat on the toilet while the nurse changed the bed sheets. I had a hard time falling back asleep, I was so excited that it broke on it's own and I was really hopeful that things would progress a little without the Pitocin. Nope. Morning came and I was only 2cm. But I was effaced enough that they could start the Pitocin. Before that they had to give me an IV of magnesium, because of the preeclampsia. This meant I was on total bedrest, complete with a catheder. I HATED the magnesium and it's side effects. The day wore on and contractions got more steady. They checked me mid morning and I was at 5cm, I was having a hard time telling if I could deal with labor pains without the epidural. Then I started having back labor. At first I could deal with it, Chris was great about rubbing my back and applying pressure during contractions. So I thought I could make it, until I thought he was slacking off on applying pressure because it hurt more, but when I said something to him he said he was pushing so hard he was afraid he was going to break my back. At that point I realized I probably should get the epidural. I'd already asked for it when a couple of contractions hit me so hard that I couldn't help but scream, so I was glad I opted for the epidural. It wasn't quite as horrible as I'd expected, the doctor did a good job. At 1pm I was fully dialated so they had me start trying to push. It was hard figuring out how to push correctly and I was already so exhausted I was falling asleep between contractions. They brought a mirror out, hoping that would motivate me, but all it did was distract me and keep me from pushing correctly. After two and a half hours (which went by wuickly for me) the doctor let me take a break. I instantly fell asleep except for a couple of contractions that woke me up. At 4:45 the doctor woke me up, had the epidural turned down to help me push better, and told me I had to get the baby out now. She had moved lower and I was a little more rested and could concentrate on pushing and at 5:02 she was born! I didn't ask for the mirror back, I didn't want to risk being distracted again. Because of her being premature (by 1 day) and the concerns during the pregnancy, the doctor cut the cord right away and a pediatrician examined her before anyone could hold her. Her APGAR was 5, 9 and 9, they had to give her a little oxygen for a couple minutes, but then she was fine and I got to hold her for a minute before they put her in the warmer. Nobody else got to hold her until a couple hours later. Because of the magnesium she was the most chill newborn I've ever seen! Her eyes were wide open and looking all around, it was so cute!

4lbs 8.5oz!

The MOST horrible picture of me I've ever seen!  But it's okay

because I'd been on bedrest all weekend, and have my cute baby

in my arms!



 Our first family picture (I'm still doped up on magnesium)

  I wasn't released from bedrest until Monday night and was so incredibly weak! It was almost two weeks before I felt normal. We went home Wednesday night with a bili blanket strapped to Lauren for her jaundice. Chris had to run out that morning for a preemie outfit to dress her in and he'd only bought the carseat the day before! I had been waiting for my baby shower on the 3rd to finish buying things!

It was a crazy, insane five days and even crazier when we came home and had to still get stuff! Life is now sort of settling down and she's finally starting to gain weight!

I know that was still a lot to read, I kept it as basic as I could! I hopefully will be able to blog more frequently now that I've got this one done!

Baby Shower #1

I had a wonderful baby shower this past Saturday. Catherine and Carol co-hosted it at Carol's house and did a wonderful job. I sometimes have bad luck with people showing up to my parties, so I was a little nervous, but there was a good turn out, enough that I didn't even get a chance to talk to everyone! Catherine forgot to tell people where I was registereed, so I got a lot of clothes, but some people did buy stuff off my registry, which was nice. I have way too many newborn and 0-3 month clothes! I'm going to have to change her outfit three times a day just to get her to wear everything!

It was a little like a dream, getting to finally have my own baby shower! And that was only my first one!

Bekah was very proud to be in charge of carrying the presents!

Our "special" drinks!

A blanket my great grandmother made to give to my mom

when I was born, and now I get to use it for my baby girl!

All my loot!

Chris' Birthday

Every year I try and do something really fun for Chris' birthday. This year I didn't plan very much because number one I'm eight months pregnant and doing ANYTHING is a big chore, and number two because we knew his dad would be dying soon. He never wants to do much for his birthday, but even more so this year and I felt weird planning too much. I did sneak onto his cell phone and find the number of one of his co workers and she was going to help me get something delivered to the office on Friday, since he works at a secure location and I can't just order stuff off the internet and have it delivered there. It was fun plotting with her and she was as excited as I was to surprise him. It ended up that his dad died late Thursday night, so I immediately canceled the plans for Friday, thinking he wouldn't be going to work Friday after having such an emotional night on Thursday, saying goodbye to his dad and then finding out he had died. He did go to work, just a couple hours late, to have some distraction, but I'm glad I canceled the delivery. I did tell him about it later and he laughed, he was impressed I managed to sneak onto his phone and plot with his co worker.
So I just bought him a couple of presents - a new pillow, which I gave him Friday night so he could enjoy sleeping in with it on Saturday. On Saturday morning I made his favorite banana nut muffins, hung a happy birthday banner and gave him his other present, a leather kindle case and an amazon kindle gift card. Other than that we didn't do anything birthday related. He had to buy his plane ticket to go to Utah for the funeral and he went and bought a new suit.

That night we drove to Glen Burnie for a wedding open house for one of my best friends. She got married in Florida last month and I was soooooooooo disappointed not to be able to go. I'd  met her husband once before, right after they got engaged, so it was fun to celebrate with them and see some other friends I don't get to see a lot. I was going to go by myself, thinking Chris wouldn't be in the mood to be around a lot of people, but being the sweet over protective husband that he is, insisted that he drive me. Of course I didn't complain and was glad to spend the evening with him.

She really enjoyed seeing me with my big tummy! I really wish I didn't have such a big puffy face to go with it, I was really disappointed to see myself in this picture.

Annoying My Cat

Trying to eat ice cream and read my kindle while Roxy sits on my lap. She didn't stay very long.

Just For Me

When I left my job at the end of December it was VERY bittersweet. I'd been there for three years, the longest job I'd ever had, and worked full time at four different branches and filled in at two others (out of nine total branches). I was comfortable with the job and was pretty good at it. And it didn't hurt that I was "in" with some of the VP's! On the other hand, I was really tired and the bigger I got, the more difficult it was to sit in those teller chairs and I was getting more and more impatient with customers coming in with full blown colds and having to handle their germ-y money.
It's kind of a tradition at the bank to send a goodbye email to everyone when you leave, so the day before my last day I sent one and got a lot of nice responses. Being the sentimental person that I am, I saved the email and the responses, but didn't know what to do with them. The obvious answer was to put them in my journal, but I don't keep a regular journal anymore, so this was the next best thing.


Tomorrow is my last day at NBRS *sniff* I wish I could have said goodbye to all of you personally, but I’m sure I’ll be around to visit and show off my new baby when she comes in March!

I just wanted to say I’ve enjoyed working with all of you over the past three years and hope to keep in touch! Have a safe and happy New Year!


*GOOD LUCK CATHERINE!!...AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU BRING YOUR BABY IN TO SEE US!!
(Leah)

*Good luck with everything!! :) Your lucky to get to stay home with your little girl! You better keep me updated on the baby and come show her off so I can get my itty bitty baby fix lol
(Ashley Lee)

*Best of luck to you and your family. It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to meet the baby and see you sometime soon.
(Lisa Drennen)

*Same to you and Congratulations again on the birth of your new Baby.
(Ruth)

*I wish you the best of luck, Lady!! You’re gonna have a great time taking care of the little one J
(Christina)

*Catherine,
It was so nice working with you! I will miss you! (Even though we don’t get to work together anymore LOL) I’ll keep you and your baby in my prayers as you go through the remainder of your pregnancy. I can’t wait to see her!! I’m so glad you are able to not work and be home to enjoy her. You’re going to be a great mother, Catherine! Feel free to call or txt me anytime 410 952 3733.
(Ashley Jones)

*Good Luck
(Tammie)

*Catherine, good luck and please make sure to bring new little one up to Rising Sun when you are up to it!
(Linda)

*Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww It was nice working with you tooo! I want to see her. Make sure that you stop by if possible
(Deb)

*Good Luck Sweetie. Take good care of that bundle of joy
(Crystal)

*Catherine,
It has been a pleasure working with you as well! I wish you a very Happy New Year and would love to see your little girl after she’s born. Best of luck to you and take care!
(Sherry Pistor)

*Awwww Catherine……..I will truly miss you. I wish you the best of luck during the rest of your pregnancy and I pray that everything goes well. PLEASE keep in touch and definitely make a trip to Rising Sun to show off the new baby!!! J
Love ya!
(Carrie)

*Good luck & Best Wishes!
Ann Ferry

*Congratulations and best wishes to your family
Tracey L. Rach

*Catherine,

Good luck with your little angel. I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope you keep in touch! Take care of yourself, we’ll miss you!! ( Tracie Amos)

New Year, New Job

I had grand plans for all of the household organization projects I would be doing in preparation for baby, and just in general, now that I'm done working. Instead, I've taken lots of naps, watched lots of tv and have only gotten a couple of projects done. I'm not sure if I'm actually more tired then before, or if I just feel the need for more naps because I have the time to take them.
The other thing I thought would be cool would be to try and do 100 posts this year. A friend of mine did it last year. But, sadly, I'm already far behind!
So my year has not gotten off to the start I expected, but I'm trying to be less OCD and just go with the flow. The one thing I did expect, and did happen, was that pretty much as soon as January came, my dute date felt MUCH closer than ever! Next week I will be down to single digits of weeks left, which is very scary! Suddenly I feel like it's too soon, like there's no way I'm ready to have a baby in a little over two months! I'm sure most first time moms feel the same way and everyone I know who has kids has managed to survive and even seems to enjoy it! So I'm trying to keep my anxiety in check and just enjoy getting the house ready and enjoy the extra naps I get.
One of the projects I'd been so gung ho about was the 21 days to a clutter free home that I'd found on pinterest. Day One was cleaning out the junk drawer. We have several junk drawer, but I focused on the only designated junk drawer. So here's the before and after pictures of that project:

And that was the only project I accomplished! Part of realizing that March 26 isn't all that far away is realizing I had to focus first on baby related cleaning and organizing. I have made some progress on that front, but it's been slow working between needed resting. Today I finally got through all of the hand me down clothes I've been given so far. The first picture is what I'm keeping, the second picture is what I'm passing on. The seem pretty equal! And that's not counting the new clothes I've bought or have already been given. Chris likes to point out that our daughter already has more clothes than him and she's not even born yet. What can I say? People, including me, love buying baby girl clothes! They're so cute!