20 things they DIDN'T tell you

Everyone tells you that you look cute and that your such a cute preggo lady but what they really don't tell you is what you need to be asking about?! Here is a list of things you can expect from the point you when you get pregnant to the point after the baby arrives.

1. You are going to feel HUGE and trying to get reassurance from you husband is not your best bet, you know he is telling you a lie to make you feel better. Skip the anties and eat a fruit!

2. When you are about eight months pregnant you are going to pee yourself! Literally. Laughing, walking, or coughing it will probably happen!

3. When pregnant you are more likely to get a UTI so drink that cranberry juice up to avoid them! It is 10 times worse than a normal UTI because it can cause you to have contraction. Point taken, take care of your body!

4. You will have difficultly pooping, for about a month!

5. You will look at your husband in a new light. He is no longer that cute funny guy you meet a while ago. Instead he is this monster that made you SOOO HUGE and swollen like a big fat elephant. Try to breath. The little things he does will annoy you and that's ok. This will pass.

6. The first three months are the worst. You have morning sickness which makes you never want to leave your bed. Plus, why do they call it morning sickness when it usually seems to last ALL day. (Check out my morning sickness cure on a previous post!) Plus these three months are the most stressful. Some miscarriage in the first trimester. I  know how it feels to have a miscarriage because before PJ, I had lost my first child within the first trimester. When I was pregnant with PJ I always feared the same thing would happen. I was lucky the second time around that it didn't happen.

7. Delivery isn't the only painful part. You will have major cramping going on during the end. Back pain that won't ever stop. It will even wake you up in the middle of the night! As if you don't get enough sleep as it is?

8. When you start to show more, the more people will come up to you add give you tips or pointers. This will get annoying after a while and you may want to tell them to just SHUT UP after a while. I get it! Just tell them thank you for the advice and change the topic completely if you aren't comfortable with the topic.

9. Discharge GALOR. Nothing is surprising when it comes to pregnancy. You will have random discharge. By random I mean like a white milky discharge, which is normal.

10. When you do actually get some sleep, you will have some crazy WILD dreams. I was dreaming of people I haven't seen in years, or haven't even met for that matter!

11. Metal-taste. Don't freak out your mouth may taste like metal. Lets just say the prenatal vitamins don't help solve this case.

12. Boobs get bigger. and by this I don't mean one size. I mean two or three? Don't go on a bra shopping spree though, each month you will notice a little bit more of a change. Spend wisely!

13. Maternity clothes. I thought being pregnant I would wear these more? WRONG. I actually bought larger stretchy clothes. I even wore regular jeans and used a hair tie to expand them. For some reason it just felt more comfortable. Plus after I had the Pailynn I could wear those larger jeans until I slimmed down some more to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans!

14. While your in labor you won't be allowed to eat. You be set to a strict clear liquids diet.. I stocked up on hard candy which they allowed me to have. I bought a bag of peppermints and those root beer float candy! After I had my C-section I was so glad I had brought these! I ended up getting this horrible taste in my mouth after the antibiotics during the c-section!!

15. You would think you would have maybe one or two people looking at your private area. WRONG!! It was weird I had many nurses coming in and check to see how dilated I was, But my cervix was soo high that a lot of nurses couldn't tell so they had to go get other nurses to check their work. Nothing more awkward than your husband looking at other girls while they stick their fingers into ya!

16. Privacy issues. So I started off trying to breastfeed in the hospital. It was painful and some times weird. The breastfeeding consultant wanted me to be completely topless to have the skin on skin contact. This would be find if I didn't have soo many visitors. It was really uncomfortable for me to be nursing while holding a conversation with another one of my family members. Point proven- Make a sign that says Nursing Come back later. I understand you will be nursing a lot while in the hospital but you really don't need to be interrupted or flashing your in-laws yours goodies!

17. Once your labor starts they WILL put a catheter in you! .. It sucks NO LIE! Take a deep breath! I got it out the second day! Just remember, don't pull on it! haha no just playing but seriously make sure it gets emptied the pressure or the if it backflows back into you and can cause a UTI!

18. If you give birth naturally chances are you are going to poop. At least that is what everyone says! I had a C-section.

19. While pregnant you may suffer leg cramps- I HATED THEM! The best way for me to get rid of them fast was to flex your foot upwards and straighten your leg like you’re going to touch your shin with your big toe.

20. Along with leg cramps I suffered from restless leg syndrome, as if I wasn't tired enough. My darn legs kept me up at night. The only way to really beat this is to drink more water! Stretching, warms baths, acupuncture and massage seem to be the suggested remedies.




Things you need to know about a C-section:

1. The nurses will try to keep you in the bed for the most part, but I was up four hours after Pailynn was born. If you are looking to get out of the hospital quickly, like I was.. You need to walk.
2. Take it easy at the same time. You will feel like you can run a marathon with the pain meds but as soon as you switch to pills, pain control isn't the same!
3. Request the catheter be taken out asap! The longer it is in you the higher the chances are for a UTI.
4. When you have to cough, seriously- use a pillow! Your stitches will thank me later!
5. Listen to the nurses when they say rinse your private area. It helps flush out everything, which lessons the chance for an infection!
6. The second day home from the hospital, take it easy! I thought it was a good idea to walk around target getting different odds and ends for the new little one. Little did I know I would have to be put in a wheel chair and rolled out to my car!
7. Engorgement- This may sound a little weird but seriously, pay attention to your breasts! They will be HUGE and hard as a rock, and if they get too big they will pop, jk. But they will hurt like a knife is being stabbed into them. Pump often!! Even after feedings pump for an extra fifteen minutes to get your supply up!
8. Leak attach- no one told me my boobs will have a period! Not red but they will leak milk! They know make a pretty cool product that collects the milk you leak up. If you have twins or a baby who constantly needs nursing than you should look into this!

Dreams~to~reality

Today was the day! Today was the day I took a huge leap of faith and plunged into my dreams of being a nurse. I was always soo scared of rejection that I put my dreams in a box and shoved it as far away in the closet for as long as possible. It wasn't until recently looking at PJ and seeing that
fearless look in her eye. I used to have that, but I lost it in the ruins of this so called life, but not anymore. Today I took the HESI A2 test. I had studied the day before ALL day long. 2 pots of coffee later 1 am and I was still going at it. Today I even woke up at 5am to finish up some of the chapters I didn't get through. I didn't get done with all of it so I even youtubed videos on the way for the drive.

I sat down in third row in front of an older computer. I was soo nervous I had the administrator agree to let me write my login on my paper so I wouldn't forget it! Once I logged in, I realized.. Half the test I studied SOOOOOO FLIPPING HARD for WASN'T on there! I almost signed in relief, but I realized some other topics I didn't study where on there. I read SOO many pointers on how to take this test that I sat there in AWE at the computer screen. It took me a few minutes to snap myself back into reality. I started with the section I knew I would forget if I didn't take it NOW! May I note when I read the guidelines for HESI A2 it made it sound like each section was timed and you only have a certain amount of time to finish. But this wasn't the case. It started the clock backwards from 4 hrs and 30 minutes. Realizing this, I took my time... about an hour later I click finish for my vocab portion of my test. ... Finishing each section with a little bit more stress slowly releasing my pores! I took the Math section last. I knew math is my BEST subject. So if I didn't remember too much from what I studied that it wouldn't matter much. This portion of the test took me the longest. I solved the problem and then rechecked all of my work. Needless to say, I ended up getting 100% on the math portion!..


Overall I PASSED the test! I was sooo excited that I couldn't even wait to get home to tell everyone. I texted everyone as soon as I got into the car!


After one mile of my journey was completed I wanted to finish another leg of the race. I turned in my RN application even though the deadline was Jan 15 2014. Sooo.. I may or may not procrastinate a little bit? Anyway, good news is that it is turned in... Now.. the part I REALLY hate the most- WAITING!


STAY TUNED... Find out if I got in!!

Fearless

Today was a different sort of day. My in-laws were watching PJ for most of the morning while the hubby slept (he works second shift and is the breadwinner of the house) and I have my follow up doctors appointments. The morning started out a little rough. You see my husband and I have to different time schedules. When I say I need to leave by 9:30, he thinks it means walk out the door at that time when actually that means that I want to be at Point A at that time! It drives me BONKERS! But like any other morning I zipped my lips! I didn't say a word! He got up this morning to feed her breakfast because he hasn't seen her in a couple days (because him sleeping, me working, or being gone with her for appointments, etc). Plus some times you need to know when to pick your battles. This was a battle I was not going to put my boxing gloves on.

I dropped PJ off, and was on my way to start my day of fun filled driving around to appointments and errands. As if the weather wasn't bad enough people who were on the road drove like idiots! Who drives extremely over the speed limit when it is snowing and there is SLUSH ever where, not to mention black ice! That is besides the point. I went to my doctors appointments did my errands and that was that. I got back to pick up PJ and they said she was an angel today and that she wasn't fussy. (which means she wasn't in teething pain or running a fever). I am thinking to myself SCORE! I am in for an easy night!

eeexxxcuse! my! language but... HELL NO!!! As soon as we got in the door the tantrums started. She is an on the go type of girl, which normal is ok. But as soon as I get home, I have to finish unloading the car, put away her bottles/food, get her dinner ready etc. Her favorite thing to do is go to the chimney which is made of complete ROCK with sharp edges etc. and hold on to it to stand up. She is not the most graceful person yet and I know if she hits her head even lightely on it that it will cut it right open! I would love to baby gate that room off but the house is a donut so even if I do there is about a six foot gap. Let's just say we are really budgeting to get financially stable to be able to get our own house soon! One where we can be financially coozy! Again besides the point, this girl just doesn't understand the word NO. I read that some people say to do more gestures to teach young ones how to communicate but let's just say I can sign, or even overly exagerating gesture my hands in a NO sort of way while saying no... still nothing! What is it in kids that makes them feel so indestructable?


Then I sit here writing this.. and I question... When did I lose that? That FEARLESS feeling. Then I snap back into reality and remember oh ya when I had a kid! Can't go around doing crazy things when you having someone always following your every step!..But in theory.. I am determined to be fearless..I have put off this HESI nursing test for as long as I could without brushing up on some reading. I am happy to say I officially scheduled the appointment. Next step is to set up evolve account and take the test! Cross your fingers.. Lets pray I get in this way I can be the breadwinner once all done and then my husband can get his "dream" job!

Well, that is that! Off to dream world... Until work tomorrow and drill this weekend.



Stay tuned! More good stuff on the way!!! Promise!

Upset tummy fixes

At some point you or your child are going to be hit with the stomach bug. It is the WORST possible thing to deal with EVER. I find myself gaging while cleaning up her mess.. A lot of people will say wait it out or it has to pass. But what they don't tell you is how to fix the problem a tad bit quicker. Who wants a problem to be solved faster? I DOO!!!! Specially when it comes to the stomach flu and my little peanut!

I have two tricks I use. Depending on ages of your children and what your pediatrician recommend.

As an adult- I heat a mug of water in the microwave once it is coffee hot or tea hot, I pour a jello packet into it and sip. I usually prefer strawberry flavor but you can do which ever you prefer. They also make tasteless jello which you can add with your tea. What I will tell you is.. you are going to get sick after sipping on this.. But it will help coat your stomach and help you stop getting sick.

For PJ and some times me (if I don't have jello on hand) I use Rice water.

Heat 3 cups of water to a boil
Once boiling cook 6 tablespoons of rice as directed on the box

You aren't going to get three cups of water out of this because the water soaks up into the rice. I drain the water into a mug (I feed it to PJ luke warm) and put the cooked rice in the fridge for a meal for later. By drinking rice water it soothes your upset stomach and adds some nutrients to your body.

14 Quick Mommy Snacks that I LOVE!

If your anything like me your life is complete and utter chaos. I am constantly on the run it feels like. I barely get time to sit down and eat a meal for ME. The one meal I do get to sit down and eat is dinner, mostly because PJ is sitting there eating dinner with us. As for breakfast and lunch I am on my own and this little one does not want me to sit too long. She seems to scoot right out of the room when I try to sit and eat. Here are some of my quick fix snacks I eat when I am busier than BUSY!

1. Peanut butter sandwich. I probably eat this the most because I can take it anywhere and it is still good.
2. Salad- As soon as I get any veggies I always prewash them so when I am on the go I can quickly throw this together and head out the door.
3. Yogurt- I eat these atleast once a day. Mostly when I get a sweet tooth I can't help but engulf the deamsicle one. It is my FAVORITE!
4. Smoothies- which I are second favorite. I love blending yogurt with fruits and some spinach. Which makes me super excited to be starting shakeology soon.
5. Homemade applesauce- PJ loves my homemade applesauce. So I am not going to lie, I eat it right along with her!
6. Apples with peanut butter. This is also amazing on the go. I cut up some apples and throw them into the peanut butter container for a quick on the go snack. It is perfect to chomp on in between my classes.
7. Celery and peanut butter- I do the same thing as the apples and peanut butter but with celery.
8. Homemade popsicles- No lie I tend to eat my nausea pops on the daily! Check it out!-Nausea Pops Recipe
9. Frozen grapes. Nothing beats eating something sweet and cold!
10. Whole-grain granola bars- this is also the perfect snack for when you are doing anything from vacuuming the house, doing errands, or while you are at class (for my case)
11. Instant oatmeal- I eat this when I have a busy morning and I know I won't get time to eat later. Mommy gets a bite while PJ gets a bite of her oatmeal!
12. Rice cake topped with peanut butter and sliced bananas on top! so creamy, so crunchy!
13. String cheese- I eat this while running around chasing PJ on her little adventures one hand for eating and one for holding PJ.
14. Green peppers- I love these with ranch when I have time. But if I am in the middle of driving having these sliced
15. Carrots- I love to dip these also in ranch but they are perfect for on the go. Small enough to fit into my purse but add a huge crunch to my diet!

I hope this helps all you busy moms out! Its crazy how quickly you learn to eat with only one hand! ENJOY!

Baby shots. BUSTS.

Just like any other mom, I hate taking my baby girl to go get shots. I love that they protect her but I hate hearing her scream and knowing how helpless she feels! I tried almost everything in fact to help ease the pain of shots but I am here to tell you what actually DIDN'T work for me to save your money and really about the only thing you can do is..

I have spent a large amount of money trying all of these sooo called inventions that are supposed to help ease the pain, let me save you some trouble and SOME MONEY!

1. Buzzy- This cost about $40. My Grandma actually bought this for my daughter and nephew to share. It has an ice pack that you keep in the freezer. and about two min before the shot is given you connect the ice pack to the buzzy and press the button onto the area that the shot will be given. When you press the button it vibrates the area. I tried this for her 6 month shots and I thought it would work. Cool compress with a vibration, I thought it would at least numb the area but NO it didn't. I was kinda upset. When my Grandma asked me if it worked, I didn't want to break her heart so I told her I had forgot it at home and haven't tried it yet!.. Later I told her the truth and she was heart broken that she wasted 40 bucks on it.BUST

2. Pressure- I tried just putting pressure onto the area that she is going to get a shot. Kind of like you do when you get a mosquito bite, but that also didn't work. BUST

3. Breastfeeding/bottle feeding during shots- I tried giving PJ her bottle during her 9 month shots and she dropped that bottle as soon as they gave her the first shot! She actually turned so red and stopped breathing then started hysterically crying! Worse experience EVER with this. BUST


People I know SWEAR by this method but I have yet to try it and hopefully will get to try this the next round we have of shots.

Sugar Water- 1 packet of sugar to 10ml of water you can keep dipping the pacifier into the water solution or feed by syringe. Once you give your child this solution you have to wait two minutes before giving the shots.

There are different creams you can ask to use..and the PROS / CONS

EMLA Cream

Topical anesthetic that deadens pain. You request it before the visit and apply it beforehand.
Pro: Works very well and most pharmacies carry it.
Con: Must be applied an hour before the shot, so it takes some planning.

Vapocoolant Spray

Rapidly cools a small area of skin to help reduce the pain of needle pricks.
Pro: Works within seconds.
Con: Many pediatricians don't keep it in their office. Some studies show it doesn't reduce pain nearly as well as EMLA.

   

Little minion on the run

First crawling.. now standing.. NOW almost walking. SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! Where does time go? It feels like only yesterday that I was giving birth to this gorgeous little girl who stole my heart. She has only been crawling for about a month now. I worked with her a lot to get her to crawl and to motivate her to crawl. Here are some things I did to help teach her how to crawl:

• Give your baby plenty of tummy time, starting from birth.  By playing on their bellies, babies develop the muscle strength in their shoulders, arms, back and trunk that helps them learn to crawl.
• Encourage your baby to reach for and move toward the toys and objects she is interested in.  Lay interesting toys at just a short distance from your almost-crawler.  See if she is able to move herself toward these objects. 
• Make sure your baby has space to explore that is safe and supervised.
• Place the palms of your hands behind your child’s feet when he is on all fours.  This stabilizes him and gives him something to “push off” from when he is just learning to crawl.

Things to Avoid

• Spending lots of time in baby seats and baby carriers.  Babies learn how to crawl, and later pull up to stand and then walk, when they have plenty of time each day to play, move, and explore.
• Pushing your child to learn to crawl.  Pressing a child to develop a skill he isn’t ready for can actually slow the learning process.

Standing was a little bit different. She could ALWAYS stand with me holding her but the trick of her getting up off her butt to a standing position is beyond me how she learned this. She just started doing it one day!

As of right now, she is not walking alone, she is using the walker that I have discussed in two previous blogs. But by using this walker she is becoming more stable and is now being a dare devil! She is now boot scooting around the footstool while holding on of course but its like her own personal little race track!