Cinco Drive

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noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:44:00 +0000

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Sugar vs. Snails

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:15:00 +0000

The whole time I was pregnant, I just assumed raising a baby boy would be like raising a baby girl.

Well, you know what happens when you assume something, right? Sort of the same philosophy that you can't compare children nor apples to oranges.

Well, Freddie sure isn't Sophia.

For starters, there's that whole penis thing. Circumcisions. Pointing it downward to avoid leaks up to his belly. Certain anatomy that I've never had to clean with a wet wipe before...although I think Joel might be envious when I open up those wipes. Sorry Joel. I had to write it...

As for eating, Freddie is a gingerly eater. While Sophia could down an 8 oz bottle in mere minutes, Freddie will just take his sweet time and spend about 30 minutes on 3 oz. Fine during the day, but at 3:30 in the morning? Let's pick up the pace here sweetheart!

He's been a good sleeper so far and consistently gets up every three hours for food. Not bad when you set his times for midnight, 3am and 6am. Very do-able, although his 2-week coma should end soon and we'll be shortly meeting the real baby.

When he's awake, he is a very alert and calm child but if you dress him or change his diaper or are five seconds past his three hour feeding mark, bring out the earplugs. He. Is. Loud. Good for us, it only lasts for a minute or two.

He will be 2 weeks old on Monday and that is very exciting for me since it also means my 2 week driving and lifting ban is over with. Get me out of this apartment and let me pick up my sweet, sweet first born.

She needs attention too.

Deep Breath

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:50:00 +0000

Today is another one of those days where I am going to be on pins and needles.

This morning my mom is at the hospital getting ready for her lung biopsy to rule out cancer and make sure this little spot is just scar tissue. While it's been great being so close to family, it makes me sad that she is still five hours away. It's not a far distance, but unfortunately for this procedure, it came at a time where I am on a driving ban until next Monday.

I will be continuing to say positive thoughts for her and and all the other friends and family I know that are dealing with not so fun medical issues.

Can't we all be healthy and celebrate by smothering ourselves in chocolate and marshmallows?

Nana, this blog is for you.

Inspector Gadget

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:47:00 +0000

One of the stresses of this apartment is the fact that we have quarterly inspections.

The term inspection is used loosely, since all they really do is ask if we have any maintenance questions while dropping off an air filter. Still, I get worked up over them. Mostly because I have a psycho dog or the fact they seem to come at the most inopportune times such as nap time or while I'm using the bathroom.

On the plus side of things, today should be quiet upstairs since they know the inspections are coming and they'll want to be on their best behavior.

Rock Band will just have to wait until tomorrow.

Say it with me folks, FOUR MORE MONTHS.

March 1st

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:37:00 +0000

Last night as I sat on the couch crying from either the neighbors, the thought of Joel going to work the next day or the fact that I had my first migraine in months due to the LOUDEST TODDLER EVER, Joel reminded me that it was March 1st and I wasn't supposed to be grumpy, I was supposed to be celebrating.

In all the hubbub of having a baby and dealing with hormone withdrawals, I forgot all about March 1st. Sort of how I always forget about Millie's birthday...

The night that Joel was laid off, we both sat on our back porch and stared into the yard figuring out what to do next. We came to the conclusion that March 1st was going to be our day of celebrating if things worked out or March 1st would be our day of sheer panic if jobs were not found and homes were not sold.

Luckily, we didn't have to worry about the latter part.

So even though I'm a hormonal wreck, I realize two things...

One. We sold our house and now have four months until we'll move into a brand-new built for us home that is only 15 minutes door to door from my sister's house. Two. Joel has a job that he is enjoying at the moment and gets decent benefits that have allowed us to have a second baby without paying thousands and thousands of dollars.

I may have forgotten to celebrate last night, but I know things worked out. Let's just get through this adjustment period of a newborn and toddler and then I'll throw a party.

One Week Passed

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:24:00 +0000

Well, it's been one week already.

This time with Sophia, I think I was laying in the fetal position crying with stress and guilt and uncontrollable hormones raging through my flabby body. I am happy to report that this time is a bit different.

Sure there are still tears, but I find myself mostly crying because I'm euphorically happy instead of sad, unless it's when Joel walks out the door for work in the morning. I still feel guilt, as I think all mothers do, on things I do or do not do. Shoot, I even feel guilty if I let him pee on his face when I change his diaper. Ok, so I don't LET him, I'm just really bad at covering boy's anatomy with a cloth.

My body feels empty and purposeless, but at the same time I feel this sense of freedom too. Especially rolling over at night without grunting and taking the whole bed with me. I am also proud to say (remember, I gained 55 pounds with Sophia) that I have only 7 pounds left until pre-pregnancy size. 7 lbs! Get through these swollen glands that are called breasts and an extra large uterus and I think I may be good to go in a couple of weeks.

Joel and I have been enjoying our new addition, as well as watching Sophia interact with him. The idea of having a LIVE BABY DOLL in the house is almost too much for her. She squeals with delight when she sees him awake, she loves giving him kisses on the head and feeding him is more fun than her feeding herself. Ok, so that last comment might be a slight exaggeration, but she's happy with him here.

Week one has gone pretty darn good, so here's to hoping that week two and so on and so on will be just as great and that he's sleeping through the night in a matter of weeks.

Wishful thinking, right?!

Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:26:00 +0000

Driving back on Wednesday from the hospital, Joel and I made a quick pit-stop.

We drove by our lot and guess what we saw?! Our foundation had been staked. I don't think there's a statement that could describe how excited Joel and I were.

Talking about our house made me realized a couple of things...

1. WE HAVE 4 MONTHS OR LESS IN THIS APARTMENT! Totally doable. Totally.

2. We can start walking through neighborhoods again at night time. Do you know how much we miss our weekend and evening strolls? Well, we miss them a lot.

3. Here comes the decorating!

And just for an example of the floors, doors, trim, cabinets and countertops that we chose, I'm attaching another similar house that has already been constructed. Minus the layout, it's exactly what we'll have. That is the one thing that is nice about building a spec home...there are only 2-6 choices of everything to choose from!

We're pretty excited.

Big Sister

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:10:00 +0000

You can see by the look on her face that she is just as much in love with Baby Freddie as we are. Now if only I can get a picture of Millie sleeping in his room all night long to show you how much she loves him too...

Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:14:00 +0000

Today is discharge day.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my stay at this hospital and have had a much happier time here than at the hospital we delivered Sophia at. That might be because this is baby number two and we're a bit more calm and prepared than the first time around.

I did want to write and say a giant thank-you to all of our visitors, gifts, flowers, advice and good thoughts and wishes that were sent our way. It makes having a baby so much more fun and I can see why people continue to pro-create...although I'm pretty sure Freddie is our final.

Never say never though, right?

Thanks again everyone.

He's Here

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:55:00 +0000

At 8am, I admitted myself into the labor and delivery area at our local hospital while Joel dropped off Sophia and Millie for a fun adventure with Aunt Cole, Uncle Dan and some of her BFFs named Roscoe, Millie, Linus and Calvin. She's forgotten about us now.

At 9:30 am I started my pitocin drip.

At 9:40 am, I started major contractions and begged for my epidural.

At 10 am my water broke while going to the bathroom, still begging for my epidural.

At 11 am I was dilated at a 7 and I was still begging for my epidural.

At 11:20 am I finally got my epidural only to let my nurse know that it was time to push. The doctor was paged urgent and by 11:45 little Freddie was born at 9lbs and 21" long. He looks just like Joel and a gremlin and Frodo. I think his old man face goes perfect with his old man name and we're already totally in love with him.

So the moral of this story...I pushed out a 9lb baby with no results of an epidural. The epidural kicked in 10 minutes AFTER I delivered. What a waste of money.

Yesterday was a long day of recovery even though labor was only a bit longer than 2 hours. I'm feeling a lot better today and I truly believe a hot shower is better than Tylenol. Percocet? Probably not, but showers get me through.

Here's to you Freddie. May you bring us as much happiness and joy that our little gnome has brought us these past two years!

Evolving

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:20:00 +0000

I've been going back and reading most of my old posts these days, most for reference of those first several months with a newborn and then others because I was curious what was going on in my world five years ago.

This blog has been great for me. On average, five days a week for the past five years I've been posting.

For those readers who have been with me since day one, you have kept yourself entertained (not sure how sometimes) with stories of jobs, complaints, home purchases, weddings, neighbors, babies and all the random nonsense that I feel is very important.

Today will be another milestone on CincoDrive. It will be the day that my second child was born.

I am up at 4:45 this morning unable to sleep. Most of nerves and anticipation and the other half is from that dang quesi-dilla that I ate last night. Heartburn and upset stomach. Two things I DIDN'T want to have going into labor. It will be an exciting day today and I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I can.

Until then, wish me luck and hopefully by the end of the day I have a chubby, healthy and cheeky baby in my arms.

Bebe Update

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:04:00 +0000

As I sit here watching Joel watch a documentary on Star Wars, my belly is doing some weird things. I think the little child is turning himself around so that it makes it harder for him to come out.

I had my 40 week doctor's appointment this afternoon and since last week, there really hasn't been much progress yet he's grown another 2" in fundus height, whatever that means.

I think it means he's growing and I'm not doing anything to move him out.

So, if all things stay the same, at 8am on Monday morning I have an appointment to get a great IV cocktail of pitocin and an epidural. Induction isn't my first choice, but I've had the luxury of having the surprise of my water breaking and the excitement of labor on its own for the first time. It should be a quick labor, according to my doctor so I hope to be posting pictures late on Monday.

Until then, we'll be cleaning the apartment and prepping my mind for a quick and healthy delivery.

Freddie, this blog is for you.

Here's To Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:57:00 +0000

I know.

Lately my posts have either been Sophia, baby's arrival or our house updates. At least I've toned down on complaining about the neighbors, right?

Well last night was the last night I think I can possibly stand being pregnant. Tossing and turning doesn't even describe it because when you have 20 pounds attached to your waist, turning and tossing aren't really options. Frequent trips to the bathroom are. Hip aches. Back aches. Pressure 'down there'. It was a long night and unfortunately, Joel and Millie both felt and heard all my moves and groans.

Except Sophia. She, of course, was up bright eyed and bushy tailed wanting Sid and cereal this morning.

Today I have my 40 week check up at 3pm. I'm hoping the Dr. checks me and says, wow, you're at an 8! You'll have this baby in 2 hours. Then I'll scuttle down to the hospital, get comfy in a checkered gown, have this baby and post beautiful pictures of our much awaited Freddie.

Here's to wishful and positive thinking, right?

Overheard

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:01:00 +0000

Joel and I truly love our chinese buffets.

Yes, they might be disgusting in your eyes, but there's something about them that we can't get enough of. For me, it's the soft serve ice cream with mandarin oranges, sugared donuts and the great conversations.

Just don't think the conversations come from us. The atmosphere makes the number one spot of why we love our buffets. Whether it's woman singing Johnny Cash or families of nine stating they should go since they've been there for 4 hours or grown men with wishful dreams...

"You know what I'd do if I won the lottery?"

"What's that?"

"Well, I'd win about $150 million. I'd keep half of it in savings and then I'd take a million of it and buy a million dollars worth of lottery tickets."

"Oh. Yeah. That's a good idea."

"Yeah, I know. Beeeeeelllllllccccccchhhhhhh."

Always a good time at the Great Wall.

No, Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:56:00 +0000

Sophia is learning her colors, and she is doing fantastic.

She even knows gray. However, for about 3 weeks of her learning colors, everything was Red. I'd ask over and over and say, "What color is this?" Her response? "Uh, Red!"

Now new moms, this is where I went wrong. I would reply, "No, Blue...or No, Green".

So now when we ask her what color is her shirt, she'll say, "No, Blue." Or it's "No, Yeyyow." Each color has the word No in front of it these days. It's actually quite hysterical and oh so difficult to correct without saying No.

I know she'll be in pre-school one of these days saying her colors with the word No in front of them, as well as calling all pigs "Babe", all elephants "Horton" and all frogs "Ma na ma na". That last one is for the Muppets.

Man. She loves those Muppets.

"And what color is Kermit the Frog?"

"No, Green!"

Spoke Too Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:55:00 +0000

"When's your baby due?"

"Oh, any day now!"

Well, that was TWO WEEKS AGO. Lesson learned. When it comes to anything in life, you can't plan on same results from the first time around.

Shoot. If that was the case, I'd have had a week old baby by now.

Me and my silly planning genes. I really need to read Tao of Pooh again and get back to the theory of letting the universe take control. Life is a bit less stressful that way.

Finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:58:00 +0000

It happened!

I did it!

I FINALLY made the famous oatmeal cookies that I've been messing up for the past two times I've made them. It's amazing what using a food scale can do instead of spending hours behind the computer trying to convert pounds to cups for each different ingredient.

So as I type, Joel has the day off and is drinking orange juice, watching Super Why! on PBS with his daughter and having a breakfast of oatmeal raisin cookies, compliments of the great and wonderful cookie shop that I miss dearly.

Next recipe, the millionaires.

Pressure

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:02:00 +0000

Last night, Joel and I had a fun date that was reminiscent of our old days.

We walked the aisles at Home Depot.

Actually, Joel walked. I pretty much crawled in pregnancy pain. We looked at lighting fixtures. We checked out samples of bamboo flooring and what kind of ceramic tile you could get for $1.12 a square foot. And finally, we made it to the paint sample aisle.

Oh paint samples how I love thee.

I had my color palette picked out from the Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams paint deck so our goal last night was to match it to Home Depot's Behr Paint. I'm very excited about our choices. Our cottage was great and I loved it but now it's time to evolve our tastes. Where we used yellows, greens and reds before, now we'll be living in pale grays, baby blues and celery. I'd like to thank our new favorite design show, Sarah's House for that.

I know that I should focus my energy on donating time to charity work, or teaching Sophia her multiplication tables or conserving solar energy, but right now I'm way too excited on the thought process of designing a home from the ground up. Well, at least picking out materials...the design part is pretty much set by the builder.

Now when picking out colors and textures, I think, "What would Sarah do?"

Life Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:09:00 +0000

Well, for starters...this little human being that is continuing to grow inside of me.

My original guess of a due date has come and gone. I guess it goes to show you can't compare apples to apples. My new delivery guess will be February 14th. We'll have a red-headed cupid on Valentine's Day. He's going to grow up hating us.

Second, the house.

We put an offer on a house and lot to be built. Joel and I have picked out a variety of neutral blues and grays for paint and I get a fun lavender for the laundry room. Throw in some toile and I'll be set. Once the offer goes through, we have two weeks to pick out the rest of the items such as carpet and tiles.

Figuring out what to eat for dinner riles me up, so you can only imagine the thought process of what picking out paint colors and cabinet finishes in 2 weeks can do to a human being. Needless to say, I'm sure I'll be happy with the outcome.

And finally, my mom's health.

The news is better than what my worried mind was leading me to. I'm overly relieved of what the spot on her lungs is not and we're going to get through this next phase of second opinions and possible biopsies with a huge sigh of relief. If the results lead to one of the opinions, which is a fungus bacteria scar tissue, then people of the world know this...do not live in Memphis. Apparently it's very common to have a fungal lung issue. Who would have thought?

So this week things are feeling a lot more calm than last week. I appreciate Joel for listening to me whine and moan and worry and fret. Did I mention worry? Now if I can find out more about a potential second job interview and the coming of this child, I'll be all set.

...at least for another week.

Hide & Seek

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:53:00 +0000

Our little toddler is so happy to be helping out at Aunt Cole's house, especially when it comes to cleaning up, helping out and hiding items.

Here are just some examples of what she's done in the past several weeks.

Hid a $25 container of blush in Nic's diaper bag, only to be found 4 weeks later.
Put on Christian Dior mascara...on the sheets.
Took each tissue out of a kleenex box and cleaned the floor with it.
Put her sippy cups in Jasper's diaper trash can.
Took Jasper's Las Vegas souvenir baseball out of a case and put it in the other room.
Taking Aunt Cole's car keys and hiding them in the diaper box.

And the infamous toothbrush. We still can't find where she put a travel toothbrush.

Home Sweet Home

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:56:00 +0000

Last night at the spur of the moment decision, Joel and I decided we needed to make our way "into town".

And it wasn't for labor issues.

We received a call and email from one of the realtors about a particular lot that we are interested in. The lot had two other potential buyers so after a two and a half hour meeting, Joel came back with some negotiations and paperwork. If all goes well this morning, we'll have put an offer on a lot and house to be built and closed on by July 1st.

Which means....

It's time to pick out paint colors! And ceramic tile. And countertops and cabinets and carpet color.

Sweet bananas I'm in designer heaven right now. Heaven and a little bit of mass hysteria overload with decisions.

Nervous

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:45:00 +0000

This week is a week I should really just let the universe and higher beings take over and do their job, but since I am a natural born planner, it is really difficult for me to sit back and let that happen.

We find out the status of my mom's test results and I have been emitting positive thoughts and sending out as many prayers as I can when I have a spare moment of thinking. I'm a stay at home mom, so there's been PLENTY of spare moments of thinking. I hope my thoughts have helped out.

I also found out that the job I interviewed for is in the middle of their departmental review for their second round of interviews. I would be oh so flattered if I qualified to round 2. As I've told several people, if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out and I have a full plate already. But if it does...

Joel and I decided this past weekend that we are going to build a house. What?! Yes, we are in talks with a builder. We'll find out this week if he's willing to work with our picky design senses and give us the wood floors we want, along with specific wood trim, bronzed oil knobs, mirrors and no boob lights.

And finally, each moment and each movement is closer to having Freddie here. Today marks the time equivalence that I went into labor with Sophia, so let's do this. Today. Come on Freddie. I'm ready to see that sweet face of yours.

So needless to say, this week could bring a lot of life changing decisions and events. I just need to sit back and let that happen and go with the flow.

Oh I hope Sophia doesn't get my planning genes.

Checking In

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:01:00 +0000

I had my 38 week check up today.

I am now 3cm dilated and 60% effaced. Ms Dr. said that the head was "right there" and had "this much" to go, so I'm sure he'll be making his appearance any day now.

Besides being physically compared to a beached whale at the moment, I am beyond mentally exhausted. I actually think this little stay in the hospital might be considered a mini holiday for me.

Now that we are actually on the same technology page as half of the world with a lap top and wireless internet, I'll be sure to post the status of our new addition as soon as I'm resting comfortably with an ice pack between my legs and a baby at my chest.

Until then...

Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:56:00 +0000

During the middle of the night, I woke up in a mass amount of searing pain.

I was having contractions. I was sweating and when I mean sweating, I mean dripping from my nose and soaking up my shirt. My hair was even sticking to my face. I was shaking and I was nauseous not to mention nervous.

I was 100% convinced I was in labor.

Turns out, it was just gas.

Not So Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:46:00 +0000

I don't feel like I ask too much in this world.

Maybe a home that doesn't have loud music coming from people living upstairs. Maybe a good meal and good friends and a healthy and loving family.

So for all you readers out there, please send your positive thoughts, wishes or prayers for the health of my mom this week. I'd really appreciate it.

Silly, pesky little bumps that show up on CT scans. May this one be quick, painless and easy to take care of. We'll know more at the end of the week, although that seems like an eternity from now.

Until then, keep on keeping on.