Monday, February 27, 2012

Mommy Intuition

As Mother's we all have mommy intuition. We know when something is not right with our child. We can distinguish what each cry means and we always know what our kids want. Some people dismiss our mommy intuition as paranoia but most of the times, us mom's are right.

At Gianna's 6 month appt her Dr said she had fluid in her lungs. He kept going on and on about this fluid and how heavy of a breather she is. He got me so scared and when I kept asking questions about it he said it's fine as long as she doesn't have a fever. What was I to do. I listened to the Dr. My mom(whose a nurse) was livid and said fluid in the lungs is never good.She demanded I make another appt. But I didn't since the Dr said she didn't have a fever. I religiously took her temperature three times a day and still no fever. A few days later G started acting weird. Very unlike her smiley self. So I called the Dr and got her in. This time we saw a new Dr and I told her what happened at her last appt. She was so mad that the Dr did no additional tests. However she took a good listen at G's lungs and there was no fluid. And all her odd symptoms, the runny nose, congestion, inactiveness was signs of teething. Sure enough G got her molar's in a few days later

Fast forward a week. G developed this horribly barky cough. She couldn't sleep at night due to this cough. I called the Dr for two weeks straight. They had no appts for her and said since she had no fever she was fine. Finally Thursday night I took her in to the er. Sure enough she had an upper respiratory infection, an ear infection and luckily tested negative for RSV. The Dr was so mad my physician refused to see her and said kid's can still be sick without a fever. I'm just glad I stuck to my gut and took her in. IF I would have kept waiting to get a Dr appt G's cold could have gotten way worse.

Last night on Facebook someone posted this story about Mother's intuition. It is amazing. A little long but keep reading. YOu won't regret it. It brought tear's to my eyes



Saving My Baby
I gave birth on a February afternoon by repeat caesarean. A pink, squalling bundle was handed to me, and I gazed lovingly into eyes that seemed to recognize me. I whispered sweet words of belonging to this girl child of mine, and comforted her outraged cries. She was the daughter I so desperately wanted.

A week after her birth, a friend dropped off a ring sling. I snuggled my 7 lb bundle into it and went about my way with a mostly content baby. Within two weeks, I was wearing her constantly. Towards afternoon, she’d begin to sob and scream inconsolably. She would arch and thrash, refuse to nurse, refuse a soother, the swing, my arms. The only thing that would quiet her screams was the sling.

Screamy baby began to lose weight. I carried her – day in, day out – in the sling. Repeated trips to the doctor revealed nothing. She was unable to nurse, screaming hysterically within moments of latch on.I was told rudely “ Do breast compressions. Breast is best.” Breast compressions made her choke and gag... and scream. I began feeding her formula. We went back to the doctor. Reflux. Milk Intolerance. Delayed gastric emptying. Her weight gain was poor, and the screaming increased in volume. Nights were long, filled with arching, thrashing baby. There was many a night that I slept with her in the sling, sitting up on the couch, unwilling to move her from her comfort zone. People told me I was spoiling her. I told them “ We’re coping. This is all that works.” I was told to let her cry it out, but I had no desire to abandon my child to a dark room to cry out her angst. My responsibility to her did not end when the sun went down. I whispered in her ear that I couldn’t stop her crying, but I could hold her while she cried.

I paced the floors with her, snuggled tummy to tummy in the sling. At six months, I begged the doctor to hospitilize her – I knew something was dreadfully wrong. The paediatrician agreed. She was poked, prodded, xrayed, and force fed. The screaming continued.

A day before discharge, my pediatrician’s partner waltzed into our room with his holier than thou attitude. He told me I wasn’t putting in the effort to feed her, to put her in another room to sleep and let her cry it out. I banned him from treating my child.

I worked part time, baby in sling. I got a mei tai, two more ring slings. I carried her everywhere. In the shower. To the doctor, to the park, on playdates. People nastily asked me how she would learn to walk if I never put her down. I ignored them. Carrying her stopped the screaming.

Just before her first birthday, she developed a high fever and cough. I took her to the ER, still wrapped in my sling. We waited 7 hours. Xrays revealed her heart was enlarged. We were admitted. I carried her nonstop for the next few days – through a terrifying whirlwind of echocardiograms and finally a diagnosis. During one particularly memorable screaming fit, a nurse turned to me in tears, and handed me my sling. My daughter quieted, safe in her sling.

She was in heart failure. A rare and very serious heart defect had been causing massive heart attacks. Fatality rates were 90% in the first year. The screaming was her suffering from crushing chest pain. In the hallway, the cardiologist turned to me and quietly told me that it was my parenting – the constant carrying – that had allowed her to survive against all odds.

My daughter never cried alone, left in a room. Had I ever practiced CIO, I would have woken to a lifeless baby. I held her through months of gut wrenching doubt, moments when I cried too. But today, I watch my daughter play and run, and laugh. I carried her through a mom’s worst nightmare... and we both survived.

Sarah Kaganovskyhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Updated- October 2010~

Mila is now a happily thriving three and a half year old. The scrawny screaming baby has grown into a confident and outgoing preschooler because of the constant babywearing. looking back, it amazes me... My trusty sling and I... We SAVED her.

Mila now has had two brain surgeries as well. And a little sister! The only way I've been able to care for them both is to be wearing one. In a way, babywearing has allowed us to cope as a normal family. The baby deserves Mommy. Mila requires hands on care. And I can provide both girls exactly what they need!
Here is a link to the author's blog. CLick HERE

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Surprise...

The hubs and I have always said we wanted a big family. We got married both think we wanted no kids and changed that to wanting 4 kids. After Gianna was born as we held our newborn baby girl in an euphoric state of bliss we jokingly asked each other, Ready for another?

When Gianna was a few months old we actually sat down and discussed when we wanted to try for another. We both agreed to wait until she turned one. The hubs would have another right away but I wanted to wait. After the hubs left at the end of January I did some more thinking on the subject and I decided I wanted to wait until she was 2. Every moment with her is amazing and watching her grow has been so exciting. She will only be our only child once and I wanted a few years to spoil the heck outta her. In face I even though about waiting until she was 3-4 before having our second kiddo

Well God has other plans doesn't he because after buying a pregnancy test on a whim, we found out we are expecting baby number 2. Yup cue in shock and disbelief. I have a 7 month old and am pregnant again. This is so now how I wanted it to happen

I didn't even think it was possible due to breastfeeding and all but like they say it only takes one time. I had gotten my period once since having Gianna at the beginning of January. When I missed it I thought it was due to breastfeeding and wacky periods. But this past weekend I had a few drinks and wanted to make sure my missed period was due to hormone levels fluctuating and not a pregnancy. I threw a test in my cart at walgreens when buying some cold medicine and i bought a pack of one knowing it couldn't be positive

I took it the minute I got home and that positive sign popped up in two seconds flat. I went to the dr yesterday as well for a blood test and got it confirmed. I'm anywhere from 5-7 weeks. I have to go back to the ob clinic and set up an appt.

After taking the test instead of being excited. I cried. And when I looked at Gianna I cried even harder. She is my baby the love of my life and I feel like I'm jipping her of time spent with me. I def won't be able to nap and rest a lot during this pregnancy and the hubby will be gone July-November and then leave again in Jan for 6-9 months so it'll be just me with 2 under 2. And of course my paranoia and anxiety have set in and I'm worried that if something happens to me I'll leave Gianna behind

I know I'm not being very rational right now. I think once this all settles in I will feel better about the situation. And I know this is all according to God's plan so I just need to trust in that.

So yes baby number 2 is on the way!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

7 Month Update



Gianna

I can't believe you are already 7 months old. Time is just flying by. You are at such a fun age. You have your very own personality and it has been so much fun watching how much you've changed this past month

You are now sitting up on your own, crawling everywhere and pulling yourself up to standing on everything you can. There is never a dull moment in the house and I have to constantly watch you since you will get into everything! You love our coffee table for some reason. You are always pulling yourself up on it and when you do you look around to make sure you had an audience with a huge grin on your face. It's hilarious!

You love your Sophie, your learn and laugh puppy, your ride along dino and your play table. You also love Mommy's phone which you are constantly trying to grab and call after.

Your daddy has been gone this month and every night when he calls we put him on speaker phone. The grin on your face the minute you hear his boice is priceless. It's just the sweetest thing. You love your daddy

You are still a mommy's girl however. As brave as you get exploring new toys and crawling all over the house, you constantly look around to make sure I'm nearby and crawl back over to me as if you are checking in with me. It's so sweet.

Monthly Stats
Weight-15.5 pounds(32%)
Length-25.5 inches(30%)
Head- 41.5(17%)
Overall you average in the 56 percentile!

Diapers
Currently in size 2. I'm on my last box and am going to start putting you in 3's

Clothes
Mostly 6 months. Some 3 month clothes still fit and you can wear 9 month clothes but the pants are usually too long for you. You are going to be short like your mom

Food
Still breastfed although Mommy is making your own baby food now. You get organic oatmeal in the morning and then in the late afternoon you get one food.
Your favorites are peas, prunes, pears and avocado
You hate banana's, apples, squash and zucchini
This month I made sweet potatoes, carrot's, pea's, bean's and pumpkin which I will start introducing to you
We also started baby yogart and you love it!
The Dr says you can now eat 3 meals of food a day which I will start soon. When we started it last month it was too much for you
We also tried introducing a sippy cup and you want nothing to do with it. You just eat it

Sleep
You still get up quite frequently throughout the night. You wake for the day at 545 but some days lately it's been at 300 in the morning. And you won't go back to bed! When Daddy gets back we are going to start eliminating one nightly feeding

"Talking"
You just started saying dada, baba, gaga and ahh a few days ago. You get very vocal when playing with your toys
I am always trying to get you to say Mama and whenever I say it you burst out laughing. Silly girl

And now for some monthly pics











Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Bachelor

Every season I swear I'm not going to watch and then I find myself sucked in! During Ashley's season I did like Ben. I thought he was sweet and genuine. However I've found him dull, condescending and stupid. I mean the guy has fallen for every trick in the book that Courtney has pulled. You can tell he's def looking for a soul mate. Not! Courtney and her antics just disgust me and Ben falling for them is irritating

Courtney is your classic mean girl. I do not think she is pretty and whatever attractive qualities she does possess she ruined them by her bitchiness and I'm sorry her sluttiness

Have any of you seen Kelly Ripa's impression of her. It's hilarious. Courtney's facial expressions during the show crack me up. Again how is she a model!

It's sad that the whole world can see Courtney for who she really is and Ben can't. Even Ellen warned Ben about Courtney. Courtney is def a master manipulator

I hear Ben does chose her and I wander if after Watching the season he will see her for who she really is

Any thoughts on the topic?


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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Cooper and Me and the Military


I got the opportunity to review a children's book about the military and I jumped at the chance. With an upcoming deployment the hubs and I have been searching for child friendly literature and books that we can have on hand to help prepare us and Gianna for his deployment. Granted she is a little young to understand that Daddy is gone but it won't be long before she does and we want to be ready

Reading to Gianna is party of our daily and nightly routine so I'm always looking for cute books to read to her. I found that in Cooper and Me and the Military by Monique and Alexa Peters.

Overview:
Meet Trooper, Cooper's best friend and learn how he was adopted by Gracie and Joe and their parent's. who both serve in the military. Find out how this family stays close despite being separated. A must read during patriotic holiday's and for anyone with family and friends in the military. This book helps children know that even when loved ones aren't with us, they still love us and think about us.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
This book was really cute. It was written from the child's point of view so children reading the story will easily understand the concept and lesson's learned. The story line of the puppy will attract children, expecially those that have pet's of their own. The illustrations were bright and attractive, sure to catch any child's eye

This book is perfect for children whose parent's, aunts, uncle's or other family members who may be deployed. It is also a good story for a teacher to read to her student's who may have parent's deployed to help the kid's understand and to help kids relate to peer's who may have family member's serving overseas.

This book will def be added to our collection! This book is actually part of a series so if you are looking for some good read's for your kids I'd def go check out the Cooper and Me website. Click here
One of the coolest things about these books is the interactive features. These stories teach life lesson's, connections, learning together and a special memory creation. So not only are these books fun to read but they are great teaching resources for your kids

Disclaimer- Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend product's or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the federal trade commission's 16 CFR Part 255, Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in Advertising

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Our Love Story

Linking up with From Mrs to Mama


1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
4 years!


2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}
On Myspace! In short I worked with his sister and she created a Myspace account to keep in touch with her deployed brother. Since he and I were her only friends on her page we became each others friends. We started talking and then met when he came to WI to visit his family. The rest was history. 5 months later we were married

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}In April it will be 4 years!


4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?
We had a small wedding in Key West, Fl a month before the hubs was set to deploy. It was perfect. We had about 20 people there. OOur parent's, siblings and close friends and family. The reception was helf overlooking the marina and it was awesome in every way. Still gives me goosebumps when I watch our wedding video or look at pictures


5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!
Just babe! Kinda lame I know!

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
He loves me for who I am, he works so hard to provide for our family and he's a homebody. He loves just spending time with his girls

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?
Since he lived in NC and I in WI. We were dating long distance. One night he said he was driving to Charlotte to do some shopping. He called to say he was driving back to Fayetteville but his phone was dead so he'd call me when he got home. I thought nothing of it and went out to dinner for my dad's birthday. Once I got back to my apt I changed into pj's and started watching tv. The hubs called asking what I was doing. I told him and he told me to open the front door. There he was. Ring and flower's in hand. Such a surprise!
This pic cracks me up. I def was taken off guard



8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?
Ha neither. Last year I did get flower's but usually we don't do much for valentine's day. His bday is the 18th and mine is the 26th so usually we just order in chinese for valentines day and do something big for our bday's. That of course is when he's not deployed. Last year he was so I did receive a bouquet of calla lilies. My favorite flowers and the flowers I used in my wedding bouquet


9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
Pop in a movie and relax on the couch. He's gone so much that it's the little things that matter most

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?
Go to Ireland and Greece. Those places are on our to do list!

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.
Nothing. The hubs is back in NC for training. The first weekend of March we are going to New Orleans so that will be our Valentine's and bday celebration rolled into one


12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?
Nope. The hubs want's to buy a new house so we are saving up for a down payment.


13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
Communicate. A marriage with no communication won't last. Listen to your ppartner. Tell them how you feel. Keep those lines of communication open. Always


14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

An Update on our House

This past May we bought our first home. We knew that once we moved to Fl we would be staying here for at least 10 years and wanted something to call our own.

The requirements for the house was simple. A fenced in back yard, three bedrooms and wood floors. We found what we wanted in an amazing short sale and are paying a crazily low monthly mortgage payment.

The kitchens and bathrooms need updating but the hubs has always wanted to do that ourselves. We redid one bathroom and were planning on knocking out the master bath and kitchen this spring and summer. Until the hubby got the itch

The itch to buy a new house that is. His reasoning... We are running out of room. When we bought this house we figured we'd be in it 3-5 years tips before buying a bigger house. But sadly it looks like we may be moving sooner.

The dining room is already a play room and other than there really isn't any space to grow. Gianna's room and the guest bed are small along with the closets and side we have out of town visitors alot once baby number two arrives guests will have no place to go.

The hubs doesn't want to spend alot of money and time remodeling when we know we will putting the house on the market soon. A few weeks ago we decided to put it in the market sometime this coming fall.

And then we found our dream home. The home we had pictured in our heads and talked about for years.two stories, 4 bed 3 bath. Plenty of room to grow. Right here in town. We contacted the realtor, walked through the home and swooned. Its the house I can picture raising our family in. The house I can envision Gianna descending the stairs in her homecoming dress to her awaiting date. I want it and so does he. We contacted the realtor who sold our home and she said we wouldn't make anything on this house. She also did say if we remodeled that wouldn't add any value.

So now here's the dilemma. Do we stay in this house for a bit since the payment is amazing or do we go for our dream home.

The hubs won't be happy staying in our current home and I don't want to make a rash decision. I'm so grateful and thankful to God that we have such an amazing home already and ideal selfish for wanting more.

Have any of you been in this situation? I'm torn and don't know what to do!


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Monday, February 6, 2012

Happy Monday

I've been in a bit of a blogging slump. Lots going on here. Hopefully I'll return with some more posts later on this week but until then I thought I'd share some pics of lovebug

She is now crawling all over the place and learned how to pull herself upright this weekend. She hates sitting and needs to stand at all time

She was playing in her crib yesterday while I was reading in the rocking chair in her room. All of a sudden I look over and see this


Hi Mom!



Guess its time to change the crib settings again

Someone loves prunes. Prunes of all things. Yuck but look at this face. She can't get enough



Saturday we went to my friends daughter's 5th bday party. It was princess themed and she had someone come dressed as Princess Tiana from princess and the frog. The princess gave all the little kiddos manicures and makeovers. It was the cutest thing ever






My little princess. It's obvious I take too many pictures( or spend too much time on my phone) when the minute I pull it out Gianna stops what she's doing, poses and smiles.

That's my girl!

Happy Monday everyone
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Friday, February 3, 2012

Mommy who?




My living room looks like a tornado went through it! Gianna has reached that stage where
Her toys are fascinating. She loves all of them and she moves from one to the other. It is so fun to watch

Remember a few weeks ago when I was talking about how Gianna was so clingy and fussy anytime I left the room. That us not the case now. She could care less that I'm playing with her let alone in the room. She has become so absorbed in her toys. When they light up she's fascinated, when they talk to her she smiles and laughs and when they move or roll she crawls after them. I can spend minutes calling her name out but if she's engrossed in a toy she ignores me. 6 months old and already practicing selective hearing. To be honest though it worries me when she doesn't respond to her name. I immediately think the worst but I know it's because she's into her toys

And our dogs are her best friends. She watches them at all times cracking up at every little thing they do. And when she's playing with her toys she looks to make sure they are watching before doing something. Yesterday I had her in her walker and she looked around to make sure she had an audience and would then press the bottons and play with the toys on it. As soon as they moved or made sound she'd look to the dogs as if to see See how smart I am. Then she'd do it all over again. It was hilarious

And while it's so exciting to watch her actually understand toys and discover how to play with them I must admit its a little sad. I can plop her down with some toys and she's content. If she wants something shell let me know but she can now occupy herself for awhile. I can clean my house and catch up on things now even though mommy guilt kicks in and I feel like I should be interacting with her more. I know all the books say children learn through play and they have to learn how to play independently. But it does tug at my heart strings that my baby girl is becoming her own independent person.

I went to target yesterday to stock up on some things and they had a sale on clothes. I'm pretty much stocked up on clothes for her through 9 months but for some reason everytime I saw a cute 12 month outfit I'd put it down thinking it'll be awhile before she fits into that and started searching for smaller sizes. Then it hit me. 12 months is the size I need to start buying soon. Gone are the newborn days, Gone are the 3-6 month stage. She is growing up and fast. Becoming her own little person and growing and developing every day

It has been such a blast to watch!

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