Kate's birth story - part 1

my 35.5 week belly profile

As I was totally MIA here on the blog during my pregnancy...I figured I should at least start by writing down some of the details prior to Kate's arrival...and do to my inability to ever provide the "readers digest" version...beware of the long post ahead.

Aside from the subchorionic hematoma, my pregnancy was rather uneventful.  I had alot of friends ask me if this was one was different from my pregnancy with Addie...and it really was in a lot of ways...most notably was the feeling I got this time around at right about 30 weeks..."I don't think I can make it another 10 weeks..."  I, along with alot of my friends and family, convinced ourselves that there was absolutely no way this baby was going to term...bets were made...most with Miss Kate arriving at least 2 weeks in advance of her due date.  I was feeling so much....uumm, should we just say "pressure" that there were days I thought she might just drop out of me.  From about 35 weeks on, I had all sorts of labor symptoms...something I never really had with Addie (who was a week and a half early)...and by the time I went in for my first appointment that involved "the check"...I was sure the doc would be preparing me for imminent delivery.

So, I say all of that to say this....I WAS WRONG....really wrong.  My gut failed me this time...that first "check" revealed that I was dilated but Miss Kate...no interest in engaging...was so far up the doc wanted to do an ultrasound to determine if her head was in fact down (which it was).  With each passing week, I hoped for something...anything...progress.  But with each passing week there wasn't much change to discuss.  I was also informed about half-way through my pregnancy that my doctors were not on call every weekend...meaning if I went into labor over the weekend there was a decent chance I might not know the doctor delivering me...cue the mild panic attack on my end.  I understand that many believe they are just there to "play catch" but after some minor complications with Addie's birth...I wanted one of my doctors to deliver me...no thanks to the stranger option.  So...with the Memorial Day weekend approaching and "a stranger on-call"...I was leary and had convinced myself that this would be when miss kate would decide to arrive.  I knew I could probably convince the doctor to induce me prior to the weekend but I really wanted to wait it out and with "the stranger's" name in hand...I did some research and read his patient's reviews and decided I would chance it through the weekend.  Much to my surprise, the weekend came and went...no baby.  As relieved as I was we had survived another weekend without one of my docs on call...I was also at a loss as to when kate would arrive.  I know...I know...I hadn't even reached my due date yet and I should totally have been at ease knowing that we hadn't missed anything but remember...I, along with almost everyone else I knew were convinced that this baby would be early.  So, my appointment that week was on Tuesday and when the doc asked "So, when are we having this baby..." as he breezed through the door of the exam room...I could hardly get out "whenever you are ready to induce me" fast enough.  Yep, I said it..."induce me"....I know....some of you are shaking your finger at me right now...it's not a choice I ever thought I would make...but after 10 weeks of hardly sleeping through the night...pressure....oh, the pressure....and more comments that I can count concerning "when will she be here"....i was ready. After a quick call by the nurse over to the hospital...my induction was set for the next evening...and then the real panic set in....

Introducing...

Katherine Margaret "Kate"

photo courtesy of mom365

May 30, 2013

6:04AM

9lbs 5oz

21 inches

birth story to come...

Late to the party...and a name change

After quite a long hiatus from blogging...I'm back and have quite a bit to share and catch up on!!  I've decided to start fresh..new blog name...working on having a new design installed...and making it all official by joining bloglovin'.

After two years of blogging and very few posts about balancing a full-time job and being a full-time mom, I decided that my blog title wasn't really what this blog was about.  Rather, it's a smattering of stories, funnies, recipes, product reviews, and random thoughts...just what you might expect to see "from my back porch looking in."  So, with some inspiration from the Lonestar song "my front porch looking in" and the fact that the back porch on my house is one on my favorite spots, the new blog name was born.  

If anyone out there is still reading and wants to follow along you can do so here: Follow my blog with Bloglovin

the details and a confession

Thank you ALL so much for your sweet comments....I feel so relieved to finally be able to put it out there!!!  I've been MIA partly because I was at a lost for what to blog about with everything going through my mind being pregnancy related (not to mention my usual blogging hours have been consumed by my need to go to sleep no later than 8:30pm) and the other part is just how busy life has been.

I'm a self admitted type-a personality..."go with the flow" doesn't really fit my personality (not that i don't wish it did)...so as you can imagine all of the unknowns of pregnancy turn this girl into a complete stress ball.  Oh, and confession - I'm also an admitted POS addict...thank goodness for the dollar store tests...otherwise I'm pretty sure we'd be broke from my excessive pregnancy test purchasing.  So suffice it to say....the minute we could know....i knew.  From 3.5 weeks on I've known this baby was in the making but after the miscarriage this summer we decided that mum was the word and even announcing at 15 weeks (via instagram and our christmas card shown here) left me feeling pretty vulnerable.

But here we are....16 weeks along and while this pregnancy has not been without its issues (saving this for another post but I have a subchorionic hematoma that's kept us on edge) we feel so lucky and blessed to be this far along and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this precious bundle of joy in May!!!

If you're wondering how I broke the news to my hubs...I let Addie do all of the work.  I had a big sister shirt that I let her brag about to her daddy (complete with "hey dadda, look at my shirt!").  His reaction was surprise but guarded...as expected!

I've been feeling pretty good...this pregnancy pretty much resembles that of my first...no morning sickness, lots of tiredness, and extreme hunger and food cravings (hot foods and salty foods have been my weakness this go round).  I'm still barely fitting into some of my larger size work clothes but everything else is all maternity!!  I sleep pretty well at night...other than getting up to pee at least once and thankfully the hot flashes that seemed to plague me the first 14 weeks have subsided (totally scared of menopause now).  I'm trying to take it all in and enjoy this pregnancy as much as I can...I'm starting to feel some small little flutters down there and now that some second trimester energy is showing up I'm starting to make nursery plans.

In case you're wondering...Addie has taken the news in stride.  She can point to where the baby is in my belly but really isn't interested in talking much else about this "baby" thats in momma's belly.  I know that will all change once the baby is here:)

Ok...so I know, this is a random post with some details scattered in...I just feel like I don't even know where to start with 16 weeks to catch up on....but in short - we are beyond thrilled that baby #2 is on the way...another miracle in the making:)    

from our home to yours....and a little surprise

wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!!!  and yes, we are pregnant!!!  16 weeks along and I'm hoping to catch up with some posts with all of the details soon.  this little one is due may 30, 2013 and i cannot thank all of you enough for all of your support and encouraging words this summer!!

put me in coach...

One of my favorite memories of our recent trip to Iowa was watching Addie interact with her second cousins....whom she had never met before.  Cautious at first...she most certainly was but by the end she couldn't get enough of my cousin's 3 boys.  And watching them with her...just made my heart melt...they were so sweet..so kind..so patient..so understanding.  Even when she had to have e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. they touched.  While I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I wanted...I managed to snap a few of them enjoying some time kicking a soccer ball around.  Addie didn't quite get it...but these boys...they tried to teach her...tried to show her how to play the game.  And while she wasn't their best student...even the blades of grass distracted her...she had fun!!!

a little kick

inspecting this so-called "soccer ball"

its not an all-out sprint unless your tongue hangs out

"mom, i just scored the big one!!!"

future david beckham

friday funnies...

happy friday!!!

Source: ontobaby.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

Source: pin2fun4.blogspot.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

Source: lolsotrue.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

wordless wednesday

we will never forget

I'll never forget the day...the place...the voices...the emotions...the fear.  Those memories are etched in my mind forever...but today, 11 years later...serves as a reminder of all of the sacrifice that so many Americans made and continue to make to support this county and preserve our freedom...and that should never be forgotten.

Source: honestlywtf.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

Show & Tell...oohhh, baby!!

I'm linking up for another wonderful week with Becky over at "From Mrs. to Mama" for Show & Tell Monday...and this week we are talking all things baby...yay!!  So...I'll list the questions and share my responses....and if you haven't already - head on over and link-up and share in the fun!!

1.  Tell us your favorite baby names.

 

Girls:

Olivia

Avery

Clara

Sloane

Cora

Boys:

Landon

Jack

Cam

Carter

Peyton

Side Note:  Don't expect any of these to make the final list when it comes to the hubs and I choosing a name in the future - we couldn't be more different in what we like...so it will take quite a bit of convincing for any of these to make the cut...

2.  Show me your dream nursery.

Girls:

Source: rhbabyandchild.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

Boys:

Source: rhbabyandchild.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

3.  How many children would you like to have?  How far apart?

uumm...how to answer this?!  ok, so if you'd asked me before we actually had Addie I would have told you the number was 3...no exceptions, no questions asked.  Now...I really don't know - the hubs and I have agreed to take it one at a time and know that we'll know when were done.  No, not like Duggar style or anything like that...I'm not sure we'll even make it to 3.

4.  Tell us what you think the importance of parenting is.

Not to sound cliche...but parenting is giving your child roots...so deep that they know right from wrong, have a desire to leave this world a little better than they found it, treat others with respect and compassion, and always say "i love you."  And then giving them wings...so strong that they can build their own lives on the foundation of everything you taught them.

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

5.  Show us your favorite newborn photo.

Seriously...next time I'm totally doing this...I die at the cuteness of this pic:

Source: tinypic.com via the workaholic momma on Pinterest

6.  Tell us some things you promise never to do as a parent (and if you are a parent, did you stick to it).

No video games...none.  Will they play them at their friends houses?  Yep.  Will they beg me and grovel at my feet?  I'm sure.  Will I give in? No.  I won't get on my soap box about what I think video games have done to society...I could write a whole post on that...and they are here to stay... but not in my house.