Then I fell in love again

I didn't think it was possible to love somebody so much. But I was wrong. It 's amazing that love can just grow and multiply so exponentially and the heart not burst at the seams from just being so incredibly full.
Now no I'm actually not talking about Demitri. Though I fell so so deeply in love with him, with everything in me the moment he was born and would give anything for him, right now I am talking about Daniel.

It's amazing to watch the man you love grow and change into not only an even more amazing man but a fantastic loving father who wants to do anything and everything he can to provide for and take care of his family!
It's so awesome to just see the pride he has when looking at and holding Demitri and how much he loves him. It truly melts my heart and each time reminds me why I love him, and that I am seriously the luckiest woman on the planet to be able to call him mine.

He also is so helpful with taking care of Demitri. He gets up at night and takes care of all the dirty diapers then brings him back to me so I can feed him-and burps him after.
It's the sweetest thing to hear him singing The Doors to Demitri while trying to rock him to sleep late at night.

I'm really so blessed to have such an amazing husband and Demitri though he doesn't yet realize it, is so blessed to have such an amazing father!
We truly couldn't have wished for any better of a man to be in our lives!

I love you so much Daniel. I hope you know just how amazing of a man you are!

2 weeks old

Little man is 2 weeks old today.

It's so crazy to think that 2 weeks ago I was seeing/holding my son for the first time. I'm sure I will say that a lot as he grows but it will always be true. It was such an amazing, life changing, monumental event that happened it will always blow my mind that such an amazingly perfect human being came from me. That the love of my life and I were blessed to be chosen as his parents and create him.

Demitri hasn't grown much and is still a little under his birth weight, weighing 7.13 at our lactation appointment the other day. He is still having latch issues due to being tongue tied and having a short frenulum but we are working to correct that, and hopefully once that improves he will start gaining weight better.
Breastfeeding with latch issues is very frustrating especially at night. We're both tired, he's hungry, then he gets frustrated, then I get frustrated...but I'm not quitting! I know once we get over this speed bump it will be so much easier and I will be so glad that I didn't give up.

Oh and Demitri is seriously the most awesome baby ever!
I know that I had said before, while pregnant, that he loved The Doors because every time I would play Love Me Two Times by them he would start to move. Well the other day when on our way to the lactation appointment he was hungry and fussy so I put Love Me Two Times by The Doors on and he immediately calmed down! When the song changed and a different band came on he woke back up and started to whimper again. So I just put the whole CD on and he slept till we got to our appointment.
His daddy sure loves that he is already expressing interest on classic rock (and already had been)!

My baby boy sure has a sweet face that makes it easy to just love him to pieces!

Sneak Preview

A friend of Daniel and mine came over to the house the other day and took some pictures of Demitri. She is a new photographer and working on building her portfolio, so we were more than happy to allow her to take pictures to use for it! She sent us one picture that evening as a teaser. I hope the rest look amazing too! Daniel absolutely loves this shot because it includes his lightsaber and the Star Wars ABC book that we got for him.

One week old

Oh no! Where did the time go?! How has it already been a week since you came into the world?
In all honesty I cried this morning when talking to your daddy about you already being a week old, got to love those crazy hormones. Seriously though the time has just flown by and I know that in a blink you will be a month old.
*sigh*
I'll just have to get as many pictures, snuggles and kisses from you as I can before you get too big.

Oh and we have a belly button!
The bittersweet moment of Demitri's umbilical cord stump falling off happened yesterday evening. It had been hanging on by a "thread" all afternoon but still looked a little "wet" so we expected it to fall off either during the night or today. So I was surprised to find while going to change his diaper that we had a belly button.
And it's the cutest little belly button ever (or I think so), and since we now have a belly button we had our first bath. Oh my goodness he did not enjoy it one little bit! He screamed the whole time so I bathed him as quickly as possible and got him all dried off and dressed. Maybe the next bath he has he will enjoy it more.

Well since my baby-boo is awake and all bright eyed right now I'm going to go get some love in on him.
I love the face he is making here.

Bamboobies Review & Giveaway!

I love passing on great products and I think that Bamboobies are a absolute must have for any expectant mommy, whether it's your first or eighth baby. They make a great shower gift as well.
I first heard about Bamboobies nursing pads from another mommy blogger who was having a review/giveaway. I read her review and thought "wow these things do sound great, I hope I win".
I didn't, but to my luck a few weeks later Bamboobies had a deal on Babysteals so I was able to snag some up then. I ordered the multipack which came with 3 regular Bamboobies nursing pads and 1 overnight pursing pad.

Now, I may or may not have mentioned this here before but I am one of the not so lucky early leakers. No joke at 15 weeks pregnant I started leaking. It was worst at night and I would wake up with a moist puddle around my chest each morning. It was just annoying, so I started using nursing pads to try and keep from making such a mess. I had tried just a couple different brands of nursing pads and really didn't like them. They were firm (even after washing), scratchy, and I hated the stitching. They kind of reminded me of Madonna, you know the crazy pointy cone boob outfit. Just an over all no.

Bamboobies nursing pads are nothing like that! These are so soft and comfortable and got even softer after a couple washes. One of the unique things about bamboobies nursing pads is that the everyday wear pads are heart shaped.
I'm sure you are thinking "What? Why heart shaped?"
Don't worry I had the same question and didn't fully get it till actually wearing them myself. The heart shape allows for the pad to better contour to your unique breast shape. Which creates less pinching of the fabric and makes it impossible for anybody to tell that you have a nursing pad on. The heart shape really does make a difference compared to the other pads I tried out, and I will say that they don't.

The overnight nursing pads are even softer than the regular nursing pads.
Both sides are covered in super soft organic bamboo fleece, which is nice and easy on sensitive nipples and allows for both sides of the pad to be used so it doesn't matter which way you put it in. Between all that soft cashmere like goodness is a ultra absorbent thick layer of organic cotton + hemp which is great for, well, overnight use as well as when your milk first starts coming in. You shouldn't have any leaks what so ever with how absorbent this specific nursing pad.

Seriously these things have been a nipple saver for me these past several day. Since Demitri is tongue tied he has latch difficulties and the first 3 days of nursing were especially difficulty. My poor nipples were blistered, cracked, and bleeding and the fabric from my tops or nursing bras was just horribly rough and abrasive on them. Bamboobies saved me some pain from that.
Babmoobies has offered one lucky reader a $16.99 credit to use on their website. That's enough to buy a 2 pair pack of either the Regular or Overnight Bamboobies. Or you can put that credit towards any other Bamboobies products on the site. They have a lot more to offer than just some awesome nursing pads. They also sell: baby carriers, "lingerie", post-partum support belts, and much more. Check it out!
Be sure to use the code ELIZ20 for 20% off at check out.
Only valid at www.buybamboobies.com not amazon.

LOTS of pictures!

Just few pictures of my sweet little man. I am just so in love with him I find it hard to not just stare at him 24/7. I plan to try and get on tomorrow to post more details about his birth, I feel like my story is so vague right now.
Minutes old and ready to eat. This my favorite picture.

Holding his son for the first time

Daddy calming him down after the nurses took his stats

Sleepy time with the blanket mommy made

Yup he's already a thumb sucker

I love all his fuzzy hair!

Tummy time

Snuggle time with my little man

Hearing test

Finally leaving!

The ride home

Daddy made him a Star Wars mobile

Happy Valentines Day. I had the two best Valentines ever!

Welcome to the world...

I woke up at 730 yesterday (or well now it would be Thursday) to a wet bed and automatically knew it was my water leaking. I had a Dr appointment about 3 hours later though so I just decided to talk to my Dr then.
When I got there I said "well either I think I sprung a leak or I'm getting really good at consistently peeing myself" So she tested (which was inconclusive because I was having a ton of bloody show) then got out the u/s machine and confirmed that my fluid was very low.
She called down to the hospital where we were planning on delivering and told them to expect us.
That was at like 1030 and we didn't go down till 930 that night.

I decided I was comfortable trying to go home and get things started naturally. So we went for a really long walk, I bounced on my ball, tried nipple stim. It all worked a little but not enough to actually get anything true going.
So we got to L&D and they had been expecting us. We got into a room right away and the started the Pit (on the lower setting) I was 3cm and 90% effaced with him at -1 when we got there. A little over a hour later (so around 11) things were moving, and my water fully broke on it's own. That was such an odd sensation and things got more intense after that. They checked me shortly later and I was 6cm and 100%.

Maybe 30 or so minutes later and my body was naturally bearing down and pushing. They checked me again and I was 10cm, 100%, and he was at +1.5. They got everything set up and called the Dr in. Oh and they stopped the Pitocine! (thank god!) I don't know exactly how long I pushed, I know I didn't push a lot, the times I did they were long and strong ones and I took long breaks after in between (or they seemed like long brakes).

At 01:01 AM on February 10th Demitri Godric was born! 7lbs 15oz, 20.5 inches long, and a 14 inch around head lol. It was the most intense, crazy, beautiful thing that I've ever done! He's perfect, Daniel and I are so in love with him.
But really I can't believe that I went med free with an induction!

I will post more pictures later on! I will probably post more actual details about his birth then as well but that's the skinny on his birth!

I will miss it

The bump that is.
I know I will. I will miss feeling him move around and having that all to myself. It's like a "secret" bond just between the two of us. I just get to smile to myself when I feel him get excited and start kicking and jumping over hearing a song that he likes or his daddy talk to him.

I am more than ready for him to be here but I know that I will miss the baby bump for a while. You just get so used to it...but it will be nice to have my body back to myself.

The Guessing Game

At my baby shower and on facebook I set up for people, if they wanted to, to take a guess as to when they thought D would be born and what his birth stats would be (weight, length, time). Here are the guesses. Obviously some people still have a chance for their weight/length guess to be right but not the day he would be born on.
You are welcome to leave a guess if you want!

Wed-February 1st
Thur-February 2nd
Fri-February 3rd
Maia A. ‎2/3/12 @ 9:30am 7lbs 5oz
Sat-February 4th
Judy W. ‎2/4 @ 3:30PM - 7 lbs 6 oz - 19 inches long
Sun-February 5th
Vicki F- 2/5, 6lbs 2oz, 19.5"
Mon-February 6th
Lauren L. ‎2/6/12 @ 10:15pm - 7lbs 9oz - 20" long
Jennifer W. ‎2/6/12 at 6:35 pm 7lbs 7oz 20 inches long
Alisha N. ‎2/6/12 @ 2am 8lbs 4 oz 19 in
Tue-February 7th
Shanna W. ‎2/7/12 @ 3:02am, 7lbs 9oz, 19 3/4 inches long
Jordan C. ‎2/7/12 @ 7:00 PM - 7lbs, 10oz - 19 inches long
Amy G. ‎2/7/12 @1pm 6lbs 9oz 20in
Wed-February 8th
Celina I. ‎2/8/12 @ 2:28pm 7lbs 2oz and 18 3/4inches long
Danette S. 2/8, 6lbs 8oz, 19"
Thur-February 9th-Dr appointment
Lynn G. 2/9, 7lbs 1oz, 21"
Fri-February 10th
Daniel L. ‎5:35 PM 8lbs 10oz and 20''
Judy A. 2/10, 6lbs 4oz, 18"
Roxi L. ‎2-10-12, 7lbs5oz
ME 2/10 @4:30-ish 7lbs 10oz 19"
Sat-February 11th
Mica B. ‎2/11/12 @4:15 pm, 7lbs 7 oz
Sandra W- 2/11, 7lbs 5oz, 21"
Sun-February 12th-One Week Late
Mon-February 13th
Julia F. 2/13, 7lbs, 20"
Maxine B. ‎ Feb. 13 @ 2:15AM, 6lb 3oz
Tue-February 14th
Brianna K. 2/14/12 at 3AM, 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches
Nicolette L. ‎2/14/12 @9pm 7lbs. 12 oz.
Wed-February 15th
Meg L. ‎2/15 @3PM and 7lbs 8oz, 21inches long
Thur-February 16th
Mandy H. 2/16
Fri-February 17th
Alison T. 2/17, 6lbs 10oz, 18"


I will be updating this list with who is OUT till he is born!

40 weeks!

So we hit our "due date" today.

I don't expect D to make his debut today and I didn't honestly expect that he would already be here so I'm not too upset or disappointed.
Do I want him here? Yeah! I think that I have made it pretty clear that I cannot wait to meet him. But, I know that he will come when he is good a ready, and I figure that this is just the very beginning preparation for getting used to being on HIS schedule vs him being on MINE.
So rather than being annoyed or feeling sorry for myself that I am going to be "over due" I am just going to take whatever time I have left and make it ME time to do whatever I want. I'll probably pig out on some junk food, watch some movies uninterrupted, do some baking, nap! Just actually take time to try and enjoy however much longer I will be pregnant.

I do have a a strong feeling at this moment that Friday will be the day but that could be for a few different reasons.
1) Daniel and pretty much the rest of my family have said February 10th for his arrival since knowing I was pregnant.
2)My next Dr appointment is not till this Thursday, I plan to ask for my membranes to be stripped (again) and my guess is that may help with convincing D to get moving and come greet the world! Also since I will be "over due" at my appointment they already have a NST planned just to make sure that everything is still all good in there with him.
3) Star Wars-Episode 1 is being re-released in theaters in 3D and Daniel is dieing to go see it that day. So why would he not be born that day.


It's just a waiting game from here on out.

A letter while waiting for you

Dear baby boy.

So here we are.
I can't believe that I am just a few days away from holding you in my arms. Your daddy and I really can not wait to meet you and I know that everybody else is anxious for your arrival as well.
I can't wait to see what you look like, what color your eyes are, if you look more like me or dad or a good mix of the both of us. I can't wait to give you lots and lots of kisses, just hold you as long as I want, and watch you peacefully sleep.
I'm excited to see how amazing your daddy is with you. He always smiles when he talks to or about you and his eyes just light up with so much love. He really is going to be the best daddy that you could ever ask for.

It's almost hard to believe that over 9 months have passed since you were first conceived. The time sure has flown by and that makes me a little sad because I realize just how quickly it will fly by and how fast you will be growing up once you get here.
Part of me wants you to just stay little forever so I never have to let go, but I can not wait to see you grow up and experience things on your own and just become an amazing little man like your daddy is.


We're all ready and waiting for you.
Love you so much baby boy!

Mommy

Our 39 week appointment

So yesterday I had my 39 week appointment.
This time it was with my actual OB. Nothing all that special the usual pee in a cup to check for protection, weigh in, blood pressure, get to the room and strip down to be inspected.
I had made a little bit of progress from last week. She said that I was measuring 2cm dilated, 80% effaced, and his head is still at -2 station. I ended up deciding to ask her to strip my membranes, it was uncomfortable but nothing horrible. And while having it done did not send me into labor I did have more cervical progression changes.

I had lost a large snotty looking chunk of my mucus plug on Tuesday evening and yesterday a few hours after my appointment I lost more and had "bloody show" with it as well. Then last night around 3 when I woke up I had lost a lot more. It's pretty gross but cool because it means that at least something is going on. I've still not had any noticeable contractions but my back is killing me, and I've been having consistently light cramping that doesn't stop in my lower abs. My fingers are still crossed that he shows on/by Sunday but I wouldn't be surprised if we go into next week.
Oh well he will be here soon enough! I just can't wait to meet him!

Chunky Tomato Sauce

This sauce has just a little bit of a kick to it.

Chunky Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
8 C chopped Tomatoes (with juices)
2 Tbs minced Garlic
1 C chopped Onion
3 Tbs Olive Oil (to saute onion and garlic)
1 Tsp Oregano
1/2-1 Tsp crushed Red Pepper flakes (depending on how much kick you want)
1/8 C Basil
Pinch of Thyme
Pinch of Rosemary
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp ground Black Pepper
3 Tbs Flour

Directions:
1) Saute onion in olive oil till soft and translucent, add garlic and keep on heat stirring for a few additional minutes.
2) Set aside.
3) In a large sauce pot put in your 8 cups of tomatoes and turn heat to high.
4) Add onion and garlic.
5) Bring to boil then turn down and allow to simmer covered.
6) Measure out all your seasonings.
7) Add to pot an mix together.
8) Allow to cook covered at a simmer, for at least one hour.
9) Take about 1/4 cup of the liquid portion of the sauce and put into a bowl.
10) Add flour and mix together well so there are no chunks.
11) Add mixture back into pot and stir together. (This helps thicken the sauce just enough)

Serve over pasta, in a lasagna, or any other dish that calls for a fantastic chunky tomato sauce!