Birth Story Via pictures

What I've been up to

I've been slacking on blogging lately. But adjusting to 2 kids under 2 and recovering from a c-section has been keeping me very busy!

Yet despite all that, these past ten days since baby boy was born have been quite busy. Here's what I've been up to

Taking little man home from the hospital



Introducing Gianna to her little brother



Someone doesn't like to share


Mom get him out of there!



Much better


All dressed up for the fall festival


Gianna and her friends



Little man dressed up as a pirate for the occasion


Trunk or treating



All bundled up for the cold snap here in Fl!



I myself am looking forward to being completely healed and resuming our normal day to day activities. I will be back to a more regular blogging schedule soon and will share Ethan's birth story and my c-section experience.



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Location:Florida 4,,United States

Living in the Moment

My aunt pinned this quote on Facebook and I thought I'd share it with y'all




This is something I beat myself up about constantly. Especially now as I reflect on the past few months with Gianna. I feel like I didn't do enough with her, or spend enough quality time with her before her brother arrived and now with two kids I'm even more determined to make the time spent with them matter as much as possible because I don't want to look back with any regrets

I don't know if any if you watch the show Up all Night but last nights episode sort of had the same theme. Reagan( Christina Applegate's character told her husband he spent too much time taking pics and videos of their daughter than actually being present in the moment. She dared him to take a week off of taking any sort of media with his phone.

I am guilty of doing the same thing. My camera and phone goes with me everywhere and I feel the need to capture everything and get the perfect picture to send to relatives or post on fb or this blog here. Yet when I do that am I living in the moment. Sure I will have the picture for years to come to remind me of a certain moment but will the picture be the only lasting memory from that day. Or is the time spent living in the moment what matters most.

So I vow from now on to really live in the moment. To create memories with my kids that count. To watch a little less tv and play a little more. To really let my children know how important and loved they are by spending as much time with them as possible.

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My Firstborn

This past weekend in the hospital was the longest time I've been away from Gianna. I was dreading it for weeks. Friday morning as I was walking out the door she let out a big cry and ran to the door screaming out Mommy. It broke my heart. I stopped and scooped her up in my arms and held her before forcing myself to let go

In the hospital, even after Ethan was born I missed her. I couldn't wait until she came to visit or until I could go home

However when she walked into the hospital room she wanted nothing to do with me. M placed her on the bed and she squirmed to get away. I get that she was in a new place, and there was a lot to explore but she didn't come to me once. It was devastating. The next day she was a little better but still wanted nothing to do with me. I convinced myself that everything would be ok once I returned home.

I was wrong. I forgot about the lifting restrictions Id be under after having another c-section. I also forgot how much it would hurt to move, walk, laugh and cough. I tried to get Gianna to lay or sit on the couch with me and she wasn't having it. Of course she showed interest in her brother and loved showing off to her grandparents all the cool things she could do but I was pretty much invisible

It's heartbreaking to not be able to put her to bed, or greet her in the morning when she wakes up or be able to scoop her up and cuddle anytime I want. But I can't. I can't help but reminisce about what I was doing this time last week, how I had taken her to a playdate and then to the pumpkin patch followed by lots of mommy and daughter cuddling time. Usually she falls asleep on my lap at night and today she wouldn't even sit next to me while I sat on the couch. She fell asleep on my mom. Right now as I'm typing this I'm bawling my eyes out in my bedroom.

I feel like I shouldn't be having these feelings. I just had a baby who I love and have been anxiously awaiting to meet. Yet I feel like I'm hurting my other baby. Is this going to be the moment that my sweet lovable little girl pushes me away. ( sorry for the melodrama tonight)
I just didn't think it would be this hard. I expected everything to be just as it was a week ago. But it's not. I'm hoping once I am feeling better Gianna will approach me more and we will resume our day to day activities.

Did anyone else experience this with their firstborn after their second baby was born.


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My Little Bubble

One of my favorite memories about Gianna being born was our hospital stay. There was something so special about those two days spent in that recovery room with my husband and baby girl. Just us, no outside interruptions or interferences(besides the nurses getting vitals every four hours) spending time together as a new family

I couldn't wait to experience that with our little man. I also am so thankful that my husband is the amazing man that he is. My kids are so lucky to have him as a father and I thank God every day for putting him in my life. There is no one else Id rather share this journey with

Now the hubs has been gone since July for training and luckily was able to come home Wednesday night to Sunday to be with me during the delivery and hospital stay. Of course I was glad he was able to come home but these past few weeks I wanted baby boy to be here so bad that I didn't care if he came early! But I'm glad he waited until his daddy would also be there to welcome him into the world

And as I entered the Or and laid there waiting for my husband to enter the room I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that my husband was going to be there with me through it all.

And was he ever. He sat and held my hand throughout the whole procedure and reassured me constantly. I couldn't have done it without him. And after the baby was born he was utterly amazing. Two days later and I've only changed two diapers. The whole time baby boy and I were in the hospital the husband attended to our every need. Besides feeding little man of course. He stayed up with him all night while I got to sleep. He changed every diaper and spent hours just holding and talking to him. He rearranged my pillows, helped me walk around the room and acted as my servant. I couldn't have asked for more.

When he left this afternoon it was devastating. Although its only for one more month I already feel empty inside and I know missing out on baby boys first month is just as heartbreaking for him. However once again I am glad for our two day hospital stay and life inside our own little bubble

I love you babe. The kids and I are so lucky to have you


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He's here

Ethan Daniel is here! He was born at 10:20am weighing in at 7lbs 7 oz and is 19 in long. He is perfect!
I'm doing well after the c-section. A little nauseous but good. I will be back to blogging soon!







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39 weeks!

Tomorrow is the big day! I went today for my pre-op lab work and anxiety has started to kick in. I thought it would be easier since I know what to expect with the c-section but I think it's worse! Prayers would be greatly appreciated!

And now for my last bump date

How far along-39 weeks!

Total weight gain- 20 pounds

Maternity clothes- I pretty much live in leggings and tank tops lately. And the only pajamas I can fit into our Christmas pjs I bought a size too big a few years ago

Stretch Marks- This past week they have shown up like crazy! Ugh

Sleep- I've given up on sleep. Between peeing every five minutes and trying to find a comfortable spot it takes me hours to fall asleep. Not to mention Gianna has reverted to waking up at 5am every morning. Guess I'll be prepared for baby!

Food aversions- No aversions per say, just haven't felt like cooking anything lately

Cravings- pizza. I had pizza three days last week. Oops

Gender- Boy

Symptoms- backaches, fatigue,migraines, irritable leg syndrome, carpal tunnel, Braxton hicks

Labor signs- cramping, Braxton hicks, pelvic pressure

Belly button in/out- Out!

What Im looking forward too- meeting baby boy tomm.

I can't believe it's already October 18 and he will be here so soon



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Ready to be a Mom

I have two more days and a wake up before I become a mom for the second time. And I can't wait for that for two reasons

1. I can't wait to meet my little man, hold him in my arms and see who he looks like. I will never forget Gianna being placed in my arms and the enormous rush of emotion and love that overcame me the moment I saw her. Those two days spent in the hospital with her and the hubby we truly amazing. It was as if we were in our own little bubble and nothing else mattered but the three of us. I know that meeting little man will be the same sort of experience.

2. But I'm really excited to have a piece of me back. To go back to being Gianna's mom again. To not being sick or exhausted or big and pregnant and unable to do the things I want to do with my daughter. I'm looking forward to running after her when she plays outside, to being able to play outside without swelling up and getting hot flash after hot flash in this 90 degree weather and most importantly to just have the energy to get on the floor and play with my daughter

I am also eager to introduce her to her baby brother. To start my journey as a mom of two under two and setting out to be the best mom I can be.

I know it's not going to be easy. Raising two kids under two without the hubs around will be no easy task but after seeing how fast Gianna's first year flew by I don't want to miss out on anything with my two little loves and I'm excited to get started


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Pedicures and Pineapple

My dad arrived yesterday and that means one thing. Built in babysitter! Woohoo

I remember pre- baby how appalled I used to be when friends parents would come to visit and they spent their whole visit watching the kids. Way to take advantage. And then I had a baby and I understood. When your hubby is gone all the time and you rarely get a moment to yourself I say take full advantage of anyone offering to watch your kids! Especially when the grandparents come to visit. So I'm taking full advantage

Today a friend and I are off to get pedicures. Not going to lie I'm hoping the foot massage will jump start labor! And yesterday at the grocery store I bought a huge bowl of pineapple. Another old wives tale to jump start labor. We shall see if they work at all

I must say I am very excited to go and get pampered. No baby to worry about, no errands to run, no nap time to follow. Just a girlfriend and I relaxing for the afternoon. My feet are screaming for a pedicure

Now I just need my dad to wake up so I can start getting ready


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Maternity Pics

I had my maternity photo's taken a few weeks ago and my disc of pics arrived in the mail today. Just thought I'd share some of my favorite's with y'all

Hello There!

I've been in a bit of a blogging slump lately. I have no energy to do anything besides laying on the couch. I am so ready for this baby to arrive.

Last week was the week from hell. Besides two er visits for both Gianna and I, car trouble, two would be burglars canvassing the house and pretending to sell cleaning supplies, a police report and a teething daughter Im
Happy to report that this week is at least better than last

We've done a lot of relaxing at home and I've been keeping my fingers crossed that baby boy makes his arrival soon. I have reached the point where it hurts so bad when he moves and I've had cramping and lower pelvic pressure for days. Lots of Braxton hicks that get me excited only to wear off after awhile. Oh well I know he will come when he is ready

I should hopefully be back to regular blogging soon. Sorry for the random boring post. I'm going back to lay on the couch


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TGIF(well almost)

Thank god it's (almost) Friday. I am ready for this week to be over! I was really looking forward to these last few days with Gianna before baby boy is born but that wasn't in the plans for this week

Gianna was sick all week long which I chalked up to teething. We had just gotten off antibiotics for a viral infection and I didn't think she could be sick again. But my happy, smiley baby was a pure nightmare this week. An absolute terror. All she did was walk around the house aimlessly screaming and crying. I was losing my patience and becoming very frustrated. Last night after her screaming for a few hours I just put her in her crib and walked away. I couldn't take anymore. She screamed and screamed in her crib so after about a half hour and went and got her. She finally fell asleep on my lap and it was then I noticed the red bumps all over her hand. She had had a rash the day before but nothing major and when I bathed her yesterday it was nowhere near as prominent as it was now. I took a pic and sent it to my mom who is a nurse. She said it looked like chicken pox and told me to go to the er. I freaked. I myself have never had chicken pox and I know it can cause problems to women who are pregnant

So off to the er we went. The dr came in and confirmed she had strep throat and the rash was from the strep. At first he said I was to only give her Tylenol and told me to wait for dosage instructions. After waiting for two hours a nurse came in with a prescription for amoxicillin. By this point it was 11 at night and no pharmacies were open. Luckily they gave me a dose to give to Gianna that night and she slept until 8 this morning.Thank god

Though can anyone please explain to me why a child who is sick and hast slept in two days runs around like the energizer bunny during the day. It took me
A huge cup of coffee to get off the couch today

So today is pj day for Gianna and I. I'm looking forward to watching Cinderella with my lovebug and then curling up to read Jenny Mccarthys new book after she goes to bed.

I will also try to not kill my dogs today. Have I mentioned they ate all of Gianna's sippy cups this week. Off the counter where they were drying. Yup all 10 sippy cups. I'm ready to sell them. They have been so destructive lately and are too much to handle. But I try and tell myself they were my first babies and that I'd miss them if I got rid of them.

Anyway sorry for the random post. I'm exhausted and ready for the weekend





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Punkin Picking

Every Tuesday morning I attend a Military wives group at my church. They offer childcare for the kids and I get two hours to visit with friends and relax. We also pick a book to read and spend the first hour discussing the book we are on and talking about military life. I love my Tuesday mornings

After I picked Gianna up from childcare I noticed the church had set up their annual pumpkin patch. I took our bags to the car and let Gianna walk around and pick out some pumpkins. She loved it!


























Nothing like pumpkin picking in 80 degree weather!
Next weekend I'm taking Gianna to the big pumpkin patch where we they also have a hayride, petting zoo and corn maze. I'm
Very excited for that! I love fall

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